2017 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release # 25 District 5 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

Nearly 75% of the Chinook run as been counted at Pilot station sonar and large numbers of Chinook salmon have continued to move into the lower river in recent days. Inseason assessment of the 2017 Chinook salmon run is indicating the Canadian-origin run size is likely to be above the upper end of the preseason forecast and likely to provide for escapement goals and achieve subsistence harvest sharing goals in both U.S. and Canada. At this time, it is warranted to relax subsistence restrictions in District 5. Fishing will be open on the regulatory schedule in each subdistrict with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B and 5-C (from Illinois Creek upstream to regulatory markers two miles downstream of Waldron Creek which includes the communities of Tanana and Rampart):

Subsistence fishing is currently open with selective gear. Effective 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, fishing will be open on the following regulatory schedule with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels:

• 6 p.m. Tuesdays to 6 p.m. Thursdays
• 6 p.m. Fridays to 6 p.m. Sundays

The previously announced restriction to 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets is cancelled.

Subdistrict 5-D Lower (from an ADF&G regulatory marker two miles downstream of Waldron Creek upstream to the Hadweenzic River and including all adjacent tributaries, which includes the communities of Stevens Village and Beaver):

Fishing is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. The previously announced closure for 7 p.m. Monday, June 26 is cancelled. Fishing will remain open.

Subdistrict 5-D Middle (from the Hadweenzic River upstream to 22 Mile Slough and including the Porcupine River and all other adjacent tributaries, which includes the communities of Venetie, Chalkyitsik and Fort Yukon):

Fishing is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. The previously announced closure is cancelled. Fishing will remain open.

Subdistrict 5-D Upper (from 22 Mile Slough to the U.S./Canada border and including all adjacent tributaries, which includes the communities of Circle City and Eagle):

Fishing is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. The previously announced closure is cancelled. Fishing will remain open.

A fishing permit is required to fish for all species 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 in Fairbanks.

During any subsistence salmon fishing closures, fishermen may use gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh of 60 feet or shorter length to target non salmon species. All 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.

If you have any questions, please call ADF&G in Emmonak at 949-1320, ADF&G in Fairbanks at (907) 459-7274, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Emmonak at 949-1798.

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