The sockeye salmon bag limit in Resurrection River and adjacent Resurrection Bay saltwaters will increase to 12 per day and 12 in possession on Wednesday.

The Department of Fish and Game announced the increase in an advisory announcement on Monday, saying that the quantity of sockeye salmon passing the Bear Creek weir have led the department to believe that the sustainable escapement goal for Bear Lake “will be met.” The change follows other liberalizations announced in the last week in Russian River and the Kasilof River, as strong sockeye returns are being seen in many local waters.

The increase covers freshwaters downstream from the Seward Highway and downstream from Nash Road to department regulatory markers and also in marine waters of Resurrection Bay “north of a line from Caines Head to the north point of Thumb Cove.”

Only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures and flies are allowed in the freshwater areas open to salmon fishing. The department reminds anglers to look for saltwater markers that separate the freshwater and saltwater zones.

“Anglers should be aware that this run will start to taper out in the coming weeks and getting a double limit could take some extra effort.”

More information about fishing regulations and availability can be found at adfg.alaska.gov.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.