Bulletin: Some Kuskokwim River Federal Salmon Fishing Restrictions rescinded

The Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) In-Season Manager issued a Temporary Special Action (04-KSCS-26-02) rescinding portions of the previous salmon fishing restrictions announced in 04-KSCS-26-01 within the Kuskokwim River Drainage: Chum Salmon management within all Federal waters, and Chinook Salmon management within the Kuskokwim River mainstem (not including tributaries), is now rescinded. Chinook Salmon restrictions will remain in place for only the tributaries within Federal waters as stated in Temporary Special Action 04-KSCS-26-01 and below, which will expire July 31, 2026. The YDNWR Manager, in partnership with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, determined that Federal management for the conservation of Chum Salmon is no longer needed in 2026 and that conservation of Chinook Salmon within the tributaries is still necessary.

Temporary Special Action 04-KSCS-26-02 and the following regulatory language will supersede 04-KSCS-26-01:

REGULATION:  36 CFR 242.27(e)(4)(ii) and 43 CFR 51.27(e)(4)(ii) are amended to read:

1. Unless re-opened by the YDNWR Manager, the following Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River drainage within and adjacent to the exterior boundaries of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge are closed to the harvest of Chinook salmon by all users from July 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. to July 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.:

   1. The Eek River.

   2. The Kwethluk River drainage beginning at its confluence with Kuskokuak Slough.

   3. The Kasigluk and Kisaralik River drainages including Old Kuskokuak Slough to ADF&G regulatory markers at the confluence of Old Kuskokuak Slough and Kuskokuak Slough.

   4. The Tuluksak River drainage including its confluence with the Kuskokwim River and downstream approximately 1-mile to ADF&G regulatory markers.

   5. The Aniak River drainage within the Yukon Delta NWR boundary (on the Aniak River, starting about 500 yards upstream of the Aniak / Kuskokwim rivers confluence up stream to near the Aniak / Buckstock rivers confluence).

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska. 

Missing out on the latest federal subsistence issues? To receive email updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov. 

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