Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe Chinook salmon run is currently coming in stronger than the run observed in 2018 and will most likely be within the preseason projection range of 168,000 to 241,000 fish. (Figure 1). The average first quarter point for Chinook salmon for a run with normal run timing at Pilot station sonar is June 18 and the midpoint is typically June 24. Like 2018, some subsistence harvest restrictions are necessary in order to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives on a run of this size.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaSo far, the 2019 Chinook run appears similar to the 2018 run size. Similar to 2018, harvest on Chinook runs of this size needs to be restricted in order to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. Like last year, fishing is reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule, and gillnets are being restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh to allow fish to pass upriver.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe 2019 summer chum run projection has improved significantly and now indicates the drainage-wide escapement goal will be met. The 2019 Chinook run appears similar to the 2018 Chinook run size. Similar to 2018, harvest on Chinook runs of this size needs to be restricted in order to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. Gillnet restrictions are being relaxed in some districts to allow harvest opportunity for Chinook salmon, in the presence of summer chum. However, fishing periods are still reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule, which allows Chinook salmon to pass upriver to spawn.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe summer chum run projections have improved with strong late groups of chum moving into the river. The lower end of the drainage-wide escapement goal of 500,000 to 1.2 million is likely to be met and there may be commercial surplus available. Chinook salmon are still entering the river and the run appears to be coming in toward the middle of the preseason forecast. With a run size similar to 2018, some limits on harvest are still necessary to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. The Chinook run should be nearly 75% complete in the lower river at this time.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe summer chum run is coming in weak and current projections indicate that it may come in near the lower end of the drainage-wide escapement goal of 500,000 to 1.2 million fish. Because of the need to allow salmon to pass upriver to spawning grounds, fishing time is being reduced in the Innoko River.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe summer chum salmon run is coming in weak and current projections indicate that it may come in near the lower end of the drainage wide escapement goal of 500,000 to 1.2 million fish. Because of the need to conserve summer chum, and to allow fish to pass upriver to spawning grounds, subsistence fishing in the southern portion of the coastal district is being restricted to half of the regulatory schedule.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaSubsistence and personal use fishermen are required to have a household permit prior to fishing in portions of the upper Yukon River drainage, the Tanana River drainage, and a portion of the Koyukuk River (see figures below). For information on permits and fish species, contact the Fish and Game office in Fairbanks at (907) 459-7274. Permits are available to Alaska residents and are free of charge. Fishermen can obtain permits anytime online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/store. Permits are also available Monday through Friday during regular business hours at local Fish and Game offices in Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Tok, and Anchorage.

Effective 11:59 pm on July 1, 2019, all Federal restrictions on the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River will expire. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will manage fishing openings, closings, and fishing methods.

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-01-19) to close Federal public waters of the Chignik River drainage to the harvest of Sockeye Salmon except by Federally qualified subsistence users, beginning June 26, 2019, through July 31, 2019. This action is necessary to ensure the conservation of healthy populations of Chignik River Sockeye Salmon and the continuation of subsistence uses. Sockeye Salmon may only be harvested by Federally qualified subsistence users who are residents of Chignik Bay, Chignik Lagoon, Chignik Lake, Ivanof Bay, or Perryville who are in possession of a Federal Subsistence Harvest Permit during this time.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaChinook salmon run timing and abundance appear to be similar to 2018, a year with normal run timing (Figure 1). The average first quarter point for Chinook salmon for a run with normal run timing at Pilot station sonar is June 18 and the midpoint is typically June 24th. The run appears to be coming in near the lower end of the preseason projection range of 168,000 to 241,000 fish. Like 2018, subsistence harvest restrictions are necessary in order to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives.