Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe first pulse of Chinook salmon has passed through the lower river, and assessment of the second pulse of Chinook salmon at Pilot Station Sonar is indicating that the Chinook run size may be similar to 2016.  The 2017 management strategy is to protect the first pulse, take a precautionary approach, and to provide limited Chinook and liberal summer chum harvest opportunity.  Therefore, subsistence fishing opportunity with gillnets restricted to 6-inches or smaller is being provided as well as shorter periods with 7.5-inch or smaller gillnets.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaCatch rates have increased for Chinook and summer chum salmon in the Lower Yukon Test Fishery (LYTF) program. This indicates that daily Chinook and summer chum passage at the sonar near Pilot Station should increase during the next several days. As of June 12, early summer chum salmon should be near Kaltag and the early Chinook salmon should be between Koyukuk and Galena. 

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThis news release replaces News Release #5 issued on June 9. Liberal fishing has been provided since ice-out with 7.5-inch and smaller mesh gear. Arrival of the first pulse of Chinook salmon, just 6 days after early Chinook salmon passed thru the Lower Yukon Test fishery, is now triggering a closure. The 2017 management strategy is to protect the first pulse of Chinook as many of these fish are heading to spawning grounds in Canada.  Subsistence salmon fishing with gillnets and fish wheels is closing and will re-open with selective gear only, to harvest summer chum. Selective gear includes dip nets, beach seines and live-release (manned) fish wheels.  All Chinook salmon must be released alive.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaRecent data from the Lower Yukon Test Fishery and Pilot Station Sonar indicate that the first pulse of Chinook salmon, which is typically bound for spawning grounds in Canada, is in the lower river. The 2017 management strategy calls for these fish to be protected as they travel upriver. Therefore based on migration timing of the first pulse, subsistence salmon fishing with gillnets will close in Subdistrict 4-A, and will re-open to target summer chum salmon with selective gear (dip nets, beach seines, and live-release fish wheels). 

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaRecent data from the Lower Yukon Test Fishery and Pilot Station Sonar indicate that the first pulse of Chinook salmon, which is typically bound for spawning grounds in Canada, is in the lower river. The 2017 management strategy is to protect these fish as they travel upriver. Therefore, subsistence salmon fishing with gillnets is closing in District 3 and will re-open to target summer chum salmon with selective gear (dip nets, beach seines, and live-release fish wheels). 

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaRecent data from the Lower Yukon Test Fishery and Pilot Station Sonar indicate that the first pulse of Chinook salmon, which is typically bound for spawning grounds in Canada, is in the lower river. By regulation, these fish are protected as they pass through the lower river districts. Therefore, subsistence salmon fishing with gillnets will close in District 1 and District 2 and fishing will re-open to target summer chum salmon with selective gear (dip nets and beach seines). Catches of summer chum salmon with selective gear may be low until the chum run builds in the lower river. All Chinook salmon must be released alive from dip nets and beach seines.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaCommercial dip net and beach seine opportunity is being provided in District 1 to target summer chum salmon. Catches of summer chum salmon with these selective gear types may be low until the run builds in the lower river. All Chinook salmon must be released alive from dip nets and beach seines.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaEarly Chinook salmon should now be entering Subdistricts 4-B and 4-C. In order to conserve Chinook salmon while still providing some harvest opportunity, salmon fishing in the area will begin on the regulatory schedule and be restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. Once the first pulse of Chinook salmon enters the area, fishermen should expect management actions that will close subsistence salmon fishing with gillnets and re-open fishing with selective gear only. These closures will be implemented in upriver fishing districts and subdistricts based on migratory timing.

Copper Center, AK. Under delegated authority by the Federal Subsistence Board for the Federal subsistence fisheries of the Upper Copper River District, the Superintendent of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve announced today a rescindment of the harvest limit reduction for Chinook Salmon taken by dip net or rod and reel for the period of June 1 through  July 15.  Beginning  12:01 a.m., June 10, the annual harvest limit Chinook Salmon will return to 5 taken by dipnet and 5 taken by rod and reel in the combined Chitina and Glennallen Subdistricts of the Upper Copper River District for the remainder of the season, unless superseded by subsequent management action.

Under the Authority of:36 CFR Part 242.10 and .1950 CFR Part 100.10 and .19Copper Center, AK. The pre-season fishing schedule for Federally qualified subsistence users in the Chitina Subdistrict of the Copper River was amended today by the Federal Subsistence Board. This pre-season schedule is identical to the State pre-season schedule and is subject to change based on numbers of salmon entering the Copper River.