(Soldotna) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is announcing an early opening to sport fishing in the Russian River sanctuary area. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 18 through Tuesday, July 14 (the Russian River Sanctuary Area is open by regulation, July 15 – August 20). Anglers, please note that the Russian River Sanctuary Area is Area B in the map below. For addition information on the Upper Kenai River and Russian River Confluence Area, please review page 54 of the 2026 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

The following sockeye salmon regulations apply for the Russian River Sanctuary Area from June 18 through August 20:

• Fly-fishing-only;
• Sockeye or coho salmon
  • 16 inches or longer; 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination, of which only 1 per day, 1 in possession may be a coho salmon
  • Less than 16 inches in length; 10 per day, 10 in possession;

Through June 15, 2026, a total of 6,061 sockeye salmon have passed the Russian River weir. Based on projections of escapement from the Kenai River mile 13.7 sonar and the Russian River weir, ADF&G now estimates that the biological escapement goal (BEG) of 22,000–42,000 sockeye salmon will be achieved. ADF&G will continue to monitor the run closely and may take further management action as sockeye return to the Russian River.

“Given the current level of escapement at the Russian River weir and the Kenai River sonar counts, opening the Sanctuary Area early will allow anglers more time and area to target these fish,” stated Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Patrick Fowler.

Anglers are reminded to remove fish carcasses from the clear waters of the Russian River. If you intend to clean your catch at the river, please take your fish to the mainstem Kenai River cleaning tables, located at the confluence and the ferry crossing, to fillet and cut up sockeye salmon carcasses into small pieces and throw the pieces into deep, flowing waters of the Kenai River. Please keep all personal belongings, including stringers of fish closely attended. Please respect habitat and cultural resource protection sites that are fenced or roped off, stay on the established trails and boardwalks in the Sanctuary Area, campground, and Russian River Ferry areas and use public restroom facilities in the campgrounds and ferry areas.

For additional information, please contact Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Patrick Fowler at (907) 267-2415.

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