Russian River Sanctuary opens early June 18 for sockeye season

The sockeye are running strong enough on the Russian River that Alaska is opening one of its most famous fishing spots early — and for once, the news is good. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has thrown open the Russian River Sanctuary Area nearly a month ahead of its usual July 15 start, with fishing allowed from 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 18, straight through the regular season's close on Aug. 20.

The early call is a numbers story. Through June 15, more than 6,000 sockeye had crossed the Russian River weir, and combined with Kenai River sonar counts, ADF&G now expects the run to clear its escapement goal of 22,000 to 42,000 fish. Regulation lets the department open the sanctuary early when the goal is on track to be met, and this year it is. The opening "will allow anglers more time and area to target these fish," Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Patrick Fowler said, with more management action possible as the run builds.

A few rules to know before you go. It's fly-fishing only throughout. The daily limit is three sockeye or coho 16 inches or longer combined (six in possession), but no more than one coho per day. Fish under 16 inches have their own limit of 10 a day. The sanctuary is marked as Area B on ADF&G's map, and the full confluence-area rules are on page 54 of the 2026 Southcentral regulations summary.

And the etiquette that keeps the Russian fishable: pull your fish carcasses out of the river's clear water and carry them to the Kenai mainstem cleaning tables at the confluence or the ferry crossing, where the cut-up remains go into the deep, fast current. Keep your gear and your stringer close, stay on the established trails and boardwalks, and respect the fenced habitat and cultural-resource sites.