Fishing the Russian River
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The ferry at the mouth of the Russian
River helps get fishermen to the opposite bank to help "alleviate"
crowding. Photo Use
Policy. |
Location: Mile 55 Sterling Highway
Map:
Fishing Pressure: Heavy to Intense
Key Species: Sockeye Salmon, Silver Salmon, Rainbow
Trout
Tides: Not really affected by tides
The Russian River is an Alaskan classic. Everyone should take a turn
squeezing in shoulder to shoulder along its banks at least once. Then
when you are done experiencing combat fishing at its finest, hike a
quarter mile up the Russian and find yourself almost alone.
There is a reason why the confluence of the Russian and
Kenai Rivers is lined with fishermen for weeks during the peak of the
Red Salmon runs. It’s because there are tens of thousands
of tasty sockeyes holding at the Russian’s mouth. Also, there
is a reason why you will find yourself almost alone if you walk up the
River from the mouth. It’s not that there are no fish in the river,
it’s just that many fisherman are lazy. Or maybe they are just
very social and choose to fish wall to wall.
What makes the Russian River special is the huge Sockeye
Salmon runs that clog the river with fish in late June and late July.
This crystal clear river drains the Russian Lakes that make the perfect
Red Salmon spawning habitat. Add to this, a decent run
of Silver Salmon and Rainbow and Dolly Varden that follow the spawning
salmon, and you have a great summer destination.
Don’t be discouraged by the crowds, there are definitely
enough fish to go around when the run is at its peak, and locals will
only fish the area if it is at its peak. Most of the fisherman here
are fishing to fill their freezer. If you want a more pristine fishing
experience, hike into the river. There are several miles of fishable
waters from the Confluence to a sanctuary at the falls just below the
Lower Russian Lake.
Russian River Salmon Runs
By far, the biggest draw to Russian River, and the reason
it is on the map of legendary fishing destinations are the two Sockeye
or Red Salmon runs. There should be some Sockeyes in the are at
the opening of the season (about second weekend of June) but veteran
fishermen stay away until the numbers start peaking in the last week
of June through mid-July. The second run starts in mid-July and runs
through mid-August. Between the runs, fishing can be decent or good,
but locals don’t waste time unless the confluence is plugged with
fish. If you are looking to fish the Russian, it is hard to miss when
the peak run hits, it will be in the papers, television, forums, and
the talk of any fisherman you run into.
As the Sockeye runs start to wind down, there is a decent
run of Silver Salmon that take their place. They begin showing up
in August but don’t reach their peak until very late August and
September. The nice thing about this is that tourist season is starting
to shut down, just as the Silvers start arriving.
General Russian River Fishing Regulations
All right, read your regulations closely when planning
to fish the Russian River. Usually when people talk about fishing the
river, they are talking about the stretch of the Kenai River near the
confluence with the Russian. To “help” things out there
are three separate sets of regulations depending on where you are fishing
in this area. These section are:
The Russian River Itself – The
stretch of The Russian River from 100 yards upstream of the mouth
to 600 yards below the falls downstream of the Lower Russian Lake.
All fishing is closed in the river from early May to Early June. During
the height of the run from early June to late August you are allowed
three salmon per day with no more than one being a silver. During
this time you may only fish unweighted, unbaited flies with gaps of
less than 3/8”. No Salmon fishing is allowed above the falls.
There is a limit of two Rainbows or Dollies in waters above the falls.
Check the regs very carefully.
The Sanctuary – The stretch of
the Kenai River above the Ferry crossing extending up to the Sportsman’s
Landing boad ramp and across to the tip of the island to the far shore.
The sanctuary also runs 100 yards up the Russian River. This area
is closed to fishing from early May until Mid July and is fly only
from mid July until mid to late August. You are allowed three salmon
per day with no more than one being a silver.
Below Sanctuary to the powerlines downstream
– This stretch of the Kenai also has it’s own regulations
separate from other Kenai River regulations. It is closed to all fishing
from early May until mid-June and fly only from mid-June until mid
to late August. You are still allowed three salmon per day but two
may be silvers on this stretch of the river.
So obviously you need to keep close track of the regulations
when you fish here. Also, note, there is no King Salmon fishing
allowed in this area. Also many locations are closed to preserve
the shorelines in this highly used area. Also, always expect emergency
orders for the Russian River. Often this means higher limits due to
high escapement. Be Sure to check current regulations and the
Alaska Fish and Game site
for up to the minute regulations and emergency orders.
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