2017 Yukon River Fall Salmon Fishery News Release # 49 Fall Update # 6, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

The front of the fall chum salmon run has reached the U.S./Canada border on the mainstem Yukon River. The second pulse of fall chum salmon entered the Yukon River on July 27 and is expected to be between Fort Yukon and the Canadian border at this time. The largest pulse of fall chum salmon entered August 12, and is expected to be near Tanana/Huslia around August 31, Fort Yukon around September 8, and the Canadian border around September 15. On the Tanana River this group of fall chum salmon should be near Manley on September 2 and near Nenana on September 4. The next pulse entered on August 19 and is expected to be near Kaltag August 31, near Galena September 2, near Tanana/Huslia around September 7, Fort Yukon around September 15, and the Canadian border around September 22. On the Tanana River this group of fall chum salmon should be near Manley on September 9 and near Nenana on September 11.

Coho salmon have been entering the river in good numbers since August 13 with three pulses so far. The preliminary coho salmon inseason projection is for a run size greater than 260,000 fish. The estimated coho salmon run size through August 27 (based on the mainstem sonar near Pilot Station and the downstream harvest) is estimated to be 183,000 fish, which is above the historical median of 158,000 fish for that date.

Fall Assessment Projects

Lower Yukon River Cooperative Fall Drift Test Fishing/ADF&G, YDFDA

The cumulative CPUE for the project through August 27 was 3,485.56 fall chum salmon, which is above the historical median of 1,288.40 for this date. Based on median timing, 97% of the fall chum salmon run is in the river at this time.

The cumulative CPUE for coho salmon as of August 27 was 529.49, which is above the historical median of 356.32 for this date. The coho salmon are past the median three quarter-point in the run.

Mountain Village Drift Test Fishing/Asacarsarmiut Traditional Council

The cumulative CPUE for the project through August 27 was 6,032.62 fall chum salmon, which is above the historical median of 1,715.72 for this date. Based on median timing, 93% of the fall chum salmon run is at this project by this time.

The cumulative CPUE for coho salmon as of August 27 was 920.82, which is above the historical median of 795.70 for this date. The coho salmon run is approaching the three quarter-point at this project.

Sonar Project near Pilot Station/ADF&G

The cumulative fall chum salmon passage estimate through August 27 was 1,701,241, which is above the median passage of approximately 637,046 fish for this date. Based on median timing, 94% of the fall chum salmon run is at this project by this time.

The cumulative coho salmon passage estimate through August 27 was 120,795, which is above the median passage of approximately 119,850 fish for this date. Based on median timing, 80% of the coho salmon run is at this project by this time.

Chandalar River Sonar/USFWS

The Chandalar River sonar became operational on August 8. The cumulative fall chum salmon passage estimate through August 27 was 47,315, which is well above the median passage of approximately 23,775 fish for this date.

Sonar Project near Eagle/ADF&G, DFO

The mainstem sonar operated near Eagle transitioned from Chinook to fall chum salmon beginning August 21. The cumulative fall chum salmon passage estimate through August 27 was 3,737, which is above the median passage of approximately 2,836 fish for this date.

Upper Porcupine River Sonar near Old Crow, Canada/DFO

The Upper Porcupine sonar transitioned from Chinook to fall chum salmon on August 5 which is earlier than previous years. The cumulative fall chum salmon passage estimate through August 26 was 6,440 fish. Between August 21-26 the median cumulative passage was 2,387 which is slightly below the same time frame this year (3,987 fish).

Age Composition Fall Season/ADF&G

The preliminary fall chum salmon age composition from the LYTF 6-inch drift gillnets indicates the run is dominated by age-4 fish, which is typical. The 2017 preliminary proportion of age-4 and age-5 fish is 81% and 17% respectively compared to the average of 66% age-4 and 32% age-5 fish based on a samples size of 1,121. Females represent 61% of 1,238 fish sampled which is near the average is 58%. Preliminary age samples from the commercial test fishery also indicate high proportions of age-4 fish at 79% and age-5 fish at 18% based on 720 samples.

Stock Identification

Genetic mixed stock analysis (MSA) on chum salmon for the strata from August 13–20 that passed the mainstem sonar, representing the largest pulse in history, consisted of 37% Border/US (Chandalar/Sheenjek), 26% Canadian and 36% Tanana stocks.

Fall Season Management Strategies

Subsistence salmon fishing in all Alaska areas of the Yukon River are under fall season management. The subsistence fishing schedules in District 4 and Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B, and 5-C have been liberalized to seven days per week, 24 hour per day. Subsistence fishermen may use 7.5 inch or smaller mesh size gillnets and fish wheels.  In all areas of the Yukon River, subsistence fishermen using four inch mesh or less gillnets may use an aggregate length of set gillnet not exceeding 150 fathoms in length, and drift gillnets not exceeding 50 fathoms in length. In the upper portion of Subdistrict 4-A, drift gillnets may not exceed 150 feet in length.

Summer Assessment Projects

Sonar Project near Eagle/ADF&G, DFO

As of August 20, the preliminary season ending count of approximately 73,268 Chinook salmon was estimated past the sonar project near Eagle, which is above the historical average of approximately 56,360 fish for this date.  Approximately 51% of the Chinook salmon passage at the Eagle sonar was female, which is above the average of 41%. The 2017 Chinook salmon run surpassed the upper end of the Interim Management Escapement Goal into Canada with sufficient surplus for the Canadian harvest share of the Total Allowable Catch.

Current Management

Coastal District (from the Naskonat Peninsula to 1 mile south of Black River, including the communities of Hooper Bay and Scammon Bay):

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week, with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

District 1 (including the area 1 mile south of Black River north to Point Romanof and waters up to 3 miles offshore, including the communities of Nunam-Iqua, Alakanuk, Emmonak, and Kotlik):

Subsistence salmon fishing is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets, except for closures before, during, and after each commercial fishing period.

District 2:

Subsistence salmon fishing is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets, except for closures before, during, and after each commercial fishing period.

District 3:

Subsistence salmon fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Innoko River:

Subsistence salmon fishing is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Subdistrict 4-A (from ¾ mile downstream of Old Paradise Village upstream to Cone Point, which includes the mainstem Yukon River communities of Anvik, Grayling, Kaltag, Nulato, and Koyukuk):

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh size set gillnets and fish wheels.

Drift gillnet fishing is open in the upper portion of Subdistrict 4-A only (Stink Creek to the tip of Cone Point and includes Kaltag, Nulato, and Koyukuk) for the remainder of the fall season.

Drift gillnets may not exceed 150 feet in length.

Koyukuk River:

Subsistence fishing is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Subdistrict 4-B and 4-C (from Cone Point upstream to the westernmost edge of Illinois Creek, which includes the communities of Galena and Ruby):

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh size set gillnets and fish wheels.

District 5 (from the western edge of the mouth of Illinois Creek to the U.S./Canada border, including all adjacent tributaries and the communities of Tanana, Rampart, Stevens Village, Beaver, Venetie, Fort Yukon, Chalkyitsik, Circle, and Eagle):

Subsistence salmon fishing is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels.

A fishing permit is required to fish for all species in the following locations: the portion of Subdistrict 5-C and 5-D from the western most tip of Garnet Island upstream to the mouth of Dall River, between the western tip of Garnet Island and the Dall River (Dalton Highway bridge area) and from the upstream mouth of 22 Mile Slough to the U.S./Canada border. Subsistence fishermen outside of the permit area are encouraged to fill out their subsistence salmon catch calendars. Calendars and subsistence fishing permits are available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in Fairbanks.

Subdistricts 6-A and 6-B (from the mouth of the Tanana River upstream to the regulatory marker at the mouth of the Wood River, which includes the communities of Manley, Minto, and Nenana):

Subsistence fishing is open on the regulatory fishing schedule of two 42-hour periods per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels:

• 6 p.m. Fridays to noon Sundays
• 6 p.m. Mondays to noon Wednesdays

Kantishna River:

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels.

Old Minto Area:

Subsistence fishing is on the regulatory subsistence fishing schedule of 5 days per week from 6 p.m. Fridays until 6 p.m. Wednesdays with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels.

Subsistence fishermen are reminded that a subsistence fishing permit is required to fish for salmon in the Tanana River drainage. Permits are available from the ADF&G office in Fairbanks. Subsistence fishermen fishing in the upper portion of Subdistrict 6-B, from three miles upstream of the mouth of Totchaket Slough to Wood River, are required to report their harvest catches to the department by 4:30 PM Thursday each week by contacting the department at (907) 459-7388. When you call, please provide your name, permit number, fishing location, and daily catch by species for that week.

Upper Tanana Area (the Tanana River from the confluence with the mouth of Volkmar River on the north bank and the mouth of the Johnson River on the south bank upstream to the Tanana River headwaters, including the communities of Healy Lake, Dot Lake, Tanacross, Northway, and the Tok area):

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels.

A subsistence fishing permit is required to fish in the Upper Tanana River Drainage.

Subdistricts 6-C (Personal use fishery from the regulatory marker at the mouth of the Wood River upstream to the downstream mouth of the Salcha River, which includes the communities of Fairbanks, North Pole, and Salcha):

Personal use fishing is open on the regulatory fishing schedule of two 42-hour periods per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels:

• 6 p.m. Fridays to noon Sundays
• 6 p.m. Mondays to noon Wednesdays

A reminder to fishermen that a personal use salmon fishing permit and a sport fish license are required to fish in Subdistrict 6-C of the Tanana River. Fishermen are required to report their harvest catches to the department by 4:30 PM Thursday each week by contacting the department at (907) 459-7388. When you call, please provide your name, permit number, fishing location, and daily catch by species for that week.

Fall Season Commercial Salmon Fishing

In the Lower Yukon, the fall chum salmon commercial fishing season is open in Districts 1, 2, and 3. Fishermen in Districts 1 and 2 should stand by for announcements concerning commercial periods. All commercial fishermen must make sure they have a buyer before fishing each opening. Commercial fishermen may use gillnets restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh size.

In the Upper Yukon, the fall chum salmon commercial fishing season is open in District 4, Subdistricts 5-B and 5-C, and District 6. All commercial fishermen must make sure they have a buyer before fishing each opening. Commercial fishermen may use fish wheels and gillnets restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh size.

The sale of incidentally caught Chinook salmon in the fall chum salmon directed commercial fisheries is prohibited. Commercial gillnet fishermen can release live Chinook salmon or use them for subsistence purposes. Chinook salmon retained from commercial gear must be recorded on a fish ticket as retained but not sold.

Processors, catcher sellers, or direct marketers intending to operate in the Yukon Area must notify the department of their intent prior to operating by contacting the Fairbanks office at 459-7274.

District 1, including the Set Net Only Area:

There are no commercial announcements at this time. Stand by for announcements.

Verbal reports from District 1 period #14 commercial opening on August 27 indicate a preliminary harvest of 10,241 fall chum and 13,041 coho salmon from 191 deliveries. The preliminary cumulative commercial harvest through August 27 in District 1 is 309,972 fall chum and 65,090 coho salmon.

District 2:

Period #15: 8-hour period from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday, August 28.

Verbal reports from District 2 period #14 commercial opening on August 27 indicate a preliminary harvest of 4,241 fall chum and 3,648 coho salmon from 86 deliveries. The preliminary cumulative commercial harvest through August 27 in District 2 is 126,358 fall chum salmon and 25,882 coho salmon.

Subdistrict 5-B, and 5-C Commercial Fishing Schedule:

Commercial fishing in Subdistricts 5-B and 5-C, is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week until further notice. Each commercial fishing period will be 7-days and will end at 12:00 p.m. Mondays each week until further notice. Fishermen may use fish wheels or gillnets with 6 inch or smaller mesh size. Commercial fishermen should confirm their market before they fish.

 

The preliminary cumulative commercial harvest through August 14 is 1,952 fall chum salmon.

 

Subdistrict 6-A, 6-B, and 6-C (from the mouth of the Tanana River upstream to the downstream mouth of the Salcha River, which includes the communities of Manley, Minto, Nenana, Fairbanks, North Pole, and Salcha):

Commercial fishing is open for two 42-hour fishing periods per week on the following schedule with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels:

• 6 p.m. Fridays, until noon Sundays
• 6 p.m. Mondays, until noon Wednesdays

Commercial fishermen should coordinate with the buyer on a daily basis regarding scheduling deliveries. Commercial fish wheels in District 6 are not required to be manned. All salmon harvested during commercial fishing operations must be recorded on a fish ticket at the time of sale. Chinook salmon may not be sold. All Chinook salmon caught but not sold must also be recorded on the fish ticket. Other fish species caught but not sold must also be recorded on the fish ticket. Processors, catcher-sellers, or direct marketers should notify the department of their intent to operate by contacting the Fairbanks office at 459-7274.

Fishing schedules, test fish catches and sonar counts are available 24 hours a day at (866) 479-7387 (toll free outside of Fairbanks); in Fairbanks, call (907) 459-7387.

If you have any questions, please call ADF&G in Emmonak at (907) 949-1320, the ADF&G office in Fairbanks at (907) 459-7274 or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Fairbanks at (907) 455-1849.

This is an announcement by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

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