2017 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release # 23 Subdistrict 4-A Commercial Fishing Schedule

The commercial fishing season in Subdistrict 4-A will open with commercial fish wheels only. Commercial fish wheels must be constructed in a manner that includes:

a) basket sides and bottoms consisting of soft mesh material similar to or made of seine web; and

b) an adjustable or fixed slide or chute that consists of a smooth bottom and closed cell foam lined sides: and

c) returns Chinook salmon immediately to the water.

Commercial fishermen should confirm their market before they fish.

Subdistrict 4-A (from ¾ miles downstream of Old Paradise Village upstream to Cone Point):

Effective 6 p.m. Sunday, June 25, the commercial fishery will be open for 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Fishermen must use commercial fish wheels that are manned at all times of operation. All Chinook salmon caught in commercial fish wheels must be immediately returned to the water alive.

Period #1: 6 pm. Sunday, June 25 to midnight Sunday, June 25 (6-hour period)

After the first 6-hour period, fishing will be open for 24-hours a day each day:

Period #2: Monday, June 26

Period #3: Tuesday, June 27

Period #4: Wednesday, June 28

Period #5: Thursday, June 29

Period #6: Friday, June 20

Period #7: Saturday, July 1

Fishermen should stand by for the announcement of additional periods.

All salmon harvested during commercial fishing operations must be recorded on a fish ticket at the time of sale. Chinook salmon caught and released must be recorded on a fish ticket. Other salmon harvested and not sold should be recorded on the fish ticket as “not sold”. These commercial fishing periods do not effect current subsistence management actions and fishing schedules.

Subsistence fishing

Subdistrict 4-A Lower (including the Anvik River):

Subsistence fishing is open with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels on the regulatory fishing schedule of two 48-hour periods per week:

• 6 p.m. Sundays until 6 p.m. Tuesdays 
• 6 p.m. Wednesdays until 6 p.m. Fridays

Subdistrict 4-A Upper: As a reminder, effective 6 p.m. Sunday, June 25, subsistence fishing is open with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels on the regulatory fishing schedule of two 48-hour periods per week:

• 6 p.m. Sundays until 6 p.m. Tuesdays 
• 6 p.m. Wednesdays until 6 p.m. Fridays

Koyukuk River:

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

Fishermen may keep any Chinook salmon harvested in set and drift gillnets and fish wheels during subsistence openings. During fishing closures, fishermen may use gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh of 60 feet or shorter length to target non salmon species. Chinook salmon harvested in 4-inch or smaller gillnets may be kept.

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

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

If you have any questions, please call ADF&G in Emmonak at 949-1320, ADF&G in Fairbanks at 459-7274, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Emmonak at 949-1798.

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