Emergency Orders and News Releases

Contact:
George Pappas
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 262-9368

From the Russian River ferry crossing downstream to the power line, season extended through 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 5 (Labor Day)

The sockeye salmon season for the Russian River/Kenai River fly-fishing-only area is scheduled to close this Saturday, August 20, but because there are large numbers of sockeye salmon passing the sonar station in the lower river, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will extend the season through 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 5 and increase the bag and possession limit to six sockeye salmon, which makes the limits for this area consistent with the limits set by an Emergency Order issued in July.

The season extension applies only to the Kenai River from the ferry crossing downstream to the power line. The Russian River itself, and the Russian River Sanctuary Area will close to sockeye salmon fishing as scheduled this Saturday, August 20, at 11:59 p.m. The area described can be found on page 31 of the 2005 Southcentral Alaska sport fishing regulation booklet.

Over 286,000 sockeye salmon have passed the sonar station since August 10. These large passage rates indicate a harvestable surplus of sockeye salmon may be available in the “fly-fishing-only” area after the normal sockeye salmon sport fishing closure date for this area of August 20. 

The “fly-fishing-only” restriction is also lifted. Anglers may continue to use either a single hook unbaited fly, or a single hook, unbaited artificial lure. The gap between point and shank must be 3/8” or less. A single hook has only one point. If beads or other attractors are used, they must be fixed within two inches of the hook, or be free-sliding along the entire length of the line or leader.