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 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 within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge boundary, including waters within 100 yards of the non-salmon spawning tributaries, to the harvest of Chinook Salmon, by Federally qualified subsistence users identified 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, for 6 hours effective June 29, 2018 from 12:00 PM (noon) until 6:00 PM.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaEstimated Chinook salmon passage at Pilot Station is well below average to date. One subsistence fishing period is being pulled in Districts 1-3 and subsistence gillnets are limited to 6-inch or smaller mesh. These actions are intended to reduce harvest on incoming Chinook salmon.

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. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on early groups of Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release puts the lower and middle portions of Subdistrict 5-D on a reduced subsistence salmon fishing schedule with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on the first pulse of Chinook salmon which should begin arriving in Subdistrict 5-D around July 2.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This 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. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on the first pulse of Chinook salmon which should begin arriving in Subdistrict 5-A around June 28. The first large group of summer chum salmon should be arriving in 5-A around July 7.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release announces the next three subsistence fishing periods in Subdistricts 4-B and 4-C. During one opening, gear will be restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. The Wednesday, June 27 period is being cancelled to allow fish passage to the upper river. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on the first pulse of Chinook salmon which should begin arriving in this area around June 24. The first large group of summer chum salmon should be arriving in Subdistricts 4-B and 4-C around July 1.

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 that portion of the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main-stem from a line downstream of Kalskag at the south edge of Uknavik Slough and then due east to the edge of the bluff line to the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) boundary at Aniak, to the harvest of Chinook Salmon, by Federally qualified subsistence users identified 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, effective June 24, 2018 from 10:00 AM until superseded by subsequent emergency special action.

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 main-stem within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge boundary, including waters within 100 yards of the non-salmon spawning tributaries, to the harvest of Chinook Salmon, by Federally qualified subsistence users identified 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, for 12 hours effective June 24, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

The Federal In-season Manager, pursuant to delegated authority from the Federal Subsistence Board under ANILCA Title VIII section 815, will issue an emergency special action (8-SS-01-18) to close Federal public waters of the Chignik River drainage to the harvest of Sockeye Salmon except by Federally qualified subsistence users who are in the possession of a Social and Cultural Harvest Permit beginning June 22, 2018, through July 31, 2018.

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., Friday, June 22, through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 15, 2018. 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.