The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is liberalizing sockeye salmon fishing on the Russian and upper Kenai rivers, effective Tuesday.

According to an emergency order issued by Fish and Game Monday, the Russian River Sanctuary area at the confluence of the Russian and upper Kenai rivers will be open to sockeye salmon sport fishing beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday. There is a map of the area on page 66 of the 2015 Southcentral regulation booklet.

Also, beginning at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, the bag limit will increase to six sockeye salmon and the possession limit will increase to 12 sockeye salmon in the Russian River and a section of the Upper Kenai River mainstem. This area extends from Skilak Lake upstream to Fish and Game regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to a Fish and Game marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls.

Fish and Game reminds anglers that they may possess only the limit allowed for the waters they are actively fishing. If a Russian River angler has more than six sockeye salmon in possession, then that angler may not fish in waters with a possession limit of six.

According to Fish and Game, through noon on Monday, more than 26,000 sockeye salmon had passed the Russian River weir. The department has determined that the early-run sockeye salmon biological escapement goal of 22,000-42,000 sockeye salmon will be exceeded.

— Staff report