High salmon returns have prompted the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to double the limit for sockeye catch at the Russian River, which opened Tuesday, a press release said.

The limit will double from three sockeye salmon to six per day starting Friday through July 14, at the Russian River and a section of the mainstream Upper Kenai River.

As of June 11, 13,765 sockeye salmon had passed the Russian River weir. A June 10 staff-conducted survey estimated more than 5,000 fish were in the Russian River Sanctuary Area.

“It is exciting to see the number of sockeye salmon that have passed through the Russian River weir and been observed in river,” area management biologist Colton Lipka said. “Increasing the limit to six per day will allow anglers to hit the river and harvest some fresh sockeye.”

The section of the mainstem Upper Kenai River includes the area extending from Skilak Lake upstream to Department of Fish and Game regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing, including the Russian River Sanctuary Area and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to a Department of Fish and Game marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls, according to the release.

The release reminds anglers to remove all fish carcasses from the clear water, and take fish to the mainstem Kenai River cleaning tables located at the confluence and ferry crossing to fillet and chop up sockeye salmon carcasses into small pieces. Throw the pieces into deep, flowing waters.