Federal Subsistence Board News

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces the opening of the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River to the harvest of salmon, by Federally qualified users for 12 hours effective July 5, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM. 

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe estimated Chinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average. Chinook salmon run timing and abundance appear to be similar to 2015, a year with normal run timing (Figure 1). This indicates that the drainage-wide run will likely come in below the lower end of the preseason projection range of 173,000 to 251,000 fish with an inseason projected passage at Pilot Station of approximately 150,000 Chinook salmon. While a run of this size should be large enough to meet escapement goals, subsistence restrictions are necessary. The summer chum run is also below average and will likely come in below the preseason forecast of 2.5 million fish with an inseason projection range of 1.3 million to 1.5 million fish. The average midpoint for Chinook salmon at the Pilot Station sonar during years with normal run timing is June 24 and the third quarter point is typically June 29th. The average midpoint for summer chum salmon at the Pilot Station sonar is around June 27 and the third quarter point is typically July 3.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaChinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average and appears to be similar to 2015 in run timing and abundance. Current assessment is indicating the 2018 Chinook salmon run may be coming in below the lower end of the preseason projection. Subsistence restrictions including reduced fishing time and restricted gillnet mesh size are necessary. The current management strategy is to provide some limited Chinook harvest opportunity. Fishermen may need to adjust their Chinook salmon harvest goals to account for this weaker than expected run size.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaAt this time, a precautious management approach to the harvest of Chinook salmon will remain in effect. Commercial fishing will remain open in Subdistrict 4-A to target summer chum salmon with live-release fish wheels. These commercial fishing periods do not affect current subsistence management actions and fishing schedules.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe 2018 Chinook salmon run is below average and similar in size to 2015. The sale of Chinook salmon is not allowed. However, commercial summer chum salmon fishing periods with gill nets are being announced between subsistence fishing periods. Any Chinook salmon kept for personal use from commercial gillnet periods must be recorded on a fish ticket.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaEstimated Chinook salmon passage at Pilot Station is well below average to date. Subsistence periods will remain on half the regulatory schedule with most gillnet openings limited to 6-inch or smaller mesh. These actions are intended to reduce harvest on incoming Chinook salmon while allowing harvest of summer chum salmon.  As a reminder, dip nets are not legal for subsistence harvest of salmon. During subsistence salmon fishing closures, fishing for non-salmon species is allowed. However, only gillnets with 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook salmon abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release puts Subdistricts 6-A, 6-B, and 6-C on a reduced salmon fishing schedule and restricts gillnets to 6-inch or smaller mesh. The fishing times have been changed as a response to feedback from fishermen.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThis news release announces the next two subsistence fishing periods in Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B and 5-C. Gear will be restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets to limit the harvest of Chinook salmon. Chinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average and appears to be similar to 2015 in run timing and abundance and the 2018 Chinook salmon run may be coming in below the lower end of the preseason projection. The current management strategy is to provide some limited Chinook harvest opportunity.  Fishermen may need to adjust their Chinook salmon harvest goals to account for this weaker than expected run size.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaChinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average and appears to be similar to 2015 in run timing and abundance. Current assessment is indicating the 2018 Chinook salmon run may be coming in below the lower end of the preseason projection. Subsistence restrictions including reduced fishing time and restricted gillnet mesh size are necessary. The current management strategy is to provide some limited Chinook harvest opportunity. Fishermen may need to adjust their Chinook salmon harvest goals to account for this weaker than expected run size.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe estimated Chinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average. Chinook salmon run timing and abundance appear to be similar to 2015, a year with normal run timing (Figure 1). This indicates that the run may come in below the lower end of the preseason projection range of 173,000 to 251,000 fish. While a run of this size should be large enough to meet escapement goals, subsistence restrictions are necessary. The summer chum run appears to be above average, with over 1 million fish projected for the season. Fishermen may need to adjust their Chinook harvest goals, and may want to plan to harvest more chum salmon to meet their subsistence salmon needs.