Federal Subsistence Board News

This emergency special action announces one 12-hour harvest opportunity for Kuskokwim River residents identified as Federally qualified subsistence users in the Section 804 subsistence user prioritization analysis, which includes residents of the Kuskokwim River drainage and the villages of Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Kongiganak, to the use of gillnets for the harvest of Chinook Salmon on Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main stem from the mouth to a line downstream of Kalskag at the south edge of Uknavik Slough and then due east to the edge of the bluff line (see regulatory language below), except for the section referred to as the Aniak Box (see 3-KS-01-20 or regulatory language below for description), on June 24, 2020. The start time and end time for this opportunity is from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe first pulse of Chinook salmon is late, and current projections indicate there may be no harvestable surplus on a run of this size (Figure 1). It is essential to close subsistence fishing for Chinook salmon and allow all of the early tricklers to head toward their spawning grounds.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe first pulse of Chinook salmon is late, and current projections indicate there may be no harvestable surplus on a run of this size. At this time it is essential to close subsistence fishing for Chinook salmon and allow all of the early tricklers to head toward their spawning grounds. The first large group of summer chum salmon are arriving now in the lower river, slightly later than last year. Opportunity for selective harvest of chum salmon will be allowed once chum salmon arrive in each area.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe first pulse of Chinook salmon is late, and current projections indicate there may be no harvestable surplus on a run of this size. It is essential to close subsistence fishing for Chinook salmon and allow all of the early tricklers to head toward their spawning grounds. The first large group of chum salmon are arriving now in the lower river, slightly later than last year. In order to provide some opportunity to harvest chum salmon, fishing will be allowed only with selective gear (dip nets and beach seines) and all Chinook salmon must be released alive to the water.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe first pulse of Chinook salmon is late, and the run size may be towards the lower end of the forecast. Therefore, in order to protect the first pulse, the next subsistence period is being cancelled. The chum run also appears to be late, as we haven’t seen large numbers enter the river. Closing the subsistence fishing period should allow more Chinook and chum salmon that enter the lower river to make it to the spawning grounds, while we assess the strength of both runs.

The Federal In-season Manager, pursuant to delegated authority from the Federal Subsistence Board under Section 815 of Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), will issue an emergency special action (8-SS-01-20) to close Federal public waters of the Chignik River drainage to the harvest of Sockeye Salmon except by Federally qualified subsistence users, beginning 12:01 am on June 18, 2020, through July 31, 2020. 

In coordination with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group, Office of Subsistence Management, Western Interior RAC and Yukon Kuskokwim Delta RAC, the Federal In-season Manager announces the opening of a portion of the Kuskokwim River main- stem. 

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2020 Chinook salmon run size is forecasted to be slightly smaller than the 2019 run. An early trickle of Chinook is making its way upriver, but the first pulse of Chinook salmon has yet to be detected in LYTF or at the Pilot Station sonar. The average first quarter point for Chinook salmon at the sonar with normal run timing is June 19. For most districts, the subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule and gillnets are being restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh. This is intended to limit the harvest on Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe 2020 Chinook salmon run size is forecasted to be smaller than the 2019 run. The first subsistence-caught Chinook and summer chum salmon were reported on the Lower Yukon on May 27 and May 28. The subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule and gillnets will be restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh before the first pulse arrives. This is intended to limit the harvest on Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected.

In an effort to conserve Chinook Salmon in the Kenai River, the Federal subsistence rod and reel fishery for early-run Chinook Salmon in the Kenai River downstream from the outlet of Skilak Lake will be closed beginning 12:01 a.m., Monday, June 15, through 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, 2020. This closure prohibits all subsistence rod and reel fishing for Chinook Salmon. Chinook Salmon incidentally caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately unharmed.