Bag limits for sockeye salmon on the Russian River and in a section of the mainstem Upper Kenai River will be increased Sunday, the Department of Fish and Game announced Thursday.

The increase comes because of strong numbers of sockeye salmon being counted at the Russian River weir, according to an advisory announcement by the department. As of Wednesday, nearly 6,000 sockeye have been counted, and the department estimates that escapement will exceed the early-run Russian River biological escapement goal of 22,000-42,000.

Bag limits will be increased to six per day and 12 in possession, both for the Russian River and for the mainstem Upper Kenai River from Skilak Lake to regulatory markers located around 300 yards upstream of Sportsman’s Landing. This includes the Russian River Sanctuary Area, which opened a month early to sockeye fishing on Wednesday.

“Inseason projections of escapement from the Russian River weir indicate the escapement goal is likely to be exceeded, therefore increasing the bag and possession limits will allow anglers the opportunity to harvest more sockeye salmon,” Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates said in the release.

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