Federal Subsistence Board News

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #26 South Coastal District, Districts 1, 2, and 3 and Innoko River Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/06/2020

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaBy this time, the majority of the Chinook salmon run has entered the river, and the drainage-wide run size is projected to be around 150,000 fish. A run of this size should meet escapement goals, but surplus for harvest is limited, so fishermen should adjust their Chinook salmon goals to about half of what they harvested last year. Due to unseasonably high water, early closures, and poor weather, fishing effort and catch efficiency has been reported as very low for most of the season. Therefore, in order to allow fishermen opportunity to catch some Chinook salmon in the presence of large numbers of chum salmon, gillnet restrictions are being relaxed to a maximum mesh size of 7.5-inch or smaller mesh.

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #24 Districts 2 and 3 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/02/2020

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe current counts of Chinook salmon at Pilot Station sonar indicate the run size is projected to meet escapement goals and support some harvest. Poor weather and fishing conditions may be limiting harvests of salmon at this time. To provide opportunity for summer chum and limited Chinook salmon harvest, the fishing schedule is being relaxed to the full regulatory schedule with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. Subsistence fishermen may continue to use dipnets and beach seines during gillnet openings and all salmon may be retained.

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #22 Summer Update # 4, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

06/30/2020

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaCurrent projections for the Chinook salmon run have improved with good passage at the Pilot Station sonar (Figure 1). Genetic results on the long trickle of fish also indicate a strong Canadian proportion. These factors indicate there is a harvestable surplus and with some restrictions in place, we are likely to meet spawning escapement objectives. The average midpoint for Chinook salmon for a run with normal run timing at Pilot Station sonar is June 24 and for late run timing is June 27.

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #20 Districts 4 and 5 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

06/30/2020

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe current counts of Chinook salmon at Pilot Station sonar now indicate the run size is projected to meet escapement goals and support some harvest. Genetic results on the early passage of fish indicate that Canadian stocks, in particular, will be strong enough to support these goals. To provide opportunity for summer chum salmon and limited Chinook salmon harvest, fishing is being reopened with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets on a reduced regulatory schedule. Subsistence fishermen may continue to use fish wheels, dipnets, and beach seines during gillnet openings and all salmon may be retained.

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Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #19 South Coastal District and Districts 1, 2 and 3 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

06/30/2020

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe current counts of Chinook salmon at Pilot Station sonar now indicate the run size is projected to meet escapement goals and support some harvest. Genetic results on the early passage of fish indicate that Canadian stocks, in particular, will be strong enough to support these goals. To provide opportunity for summer chum salmon and limited Chinook salmon harvest, fishing is being reopened with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets on a reduced regulatory schedule. Subsistence fishermen may continue to use dipnets and beach seines during gillnet openings and all salmon may be retained.

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Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #18 District 2 Commercial and Subsistence Fishing Schedule

06/29/2020

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaAfter a late start, the summer chum salmon run is beginning to enter the Yukon River. Current projections indicate a commercial surplus is available for harvest. Commercial summer chum salmon fishing with selective gear only (dip nets and beach seines) is beginning in District 2. Chinook salmon are also moving through the river, but projections indicate a very poor return and no surplus for harvest is available for subsistence. Subsistence fishing periods to target summer chum with dip nets and beach seines are being extended. All Chinook salmon must be released alive during subsistence and commercial openings with dip nets and beach seines.

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