2018 Yukon River Fall Salmon Fishery News Release 40 - Fall Update # 5, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

The peak of the first pulse of the fall season chum salmon is expected to be near Tanana/Huslia around August 21, Stevens Village around August 25, Fort Yukon around August 31 and the Canadian border around September 10. The second pulse is expected to be near Galena around August 22, Tanana/Huslia around August 27, Stevens Village around August 31, Fort Yukon around September 6 and the Canadian border around September 16. The third pulse is expected to be near Anvik around August 23, Kaltag around August 27, Galena around August 29, Tanana/Huslia around September 3, Fort Yukon around September 13, and the Canadian border around September 23. The fourth pulse entered immediately after the previous pulse and is expected to be near Russian Mission August 23, Anvik around August 26, Kaltag around August 30, Galena around September 1, Tanana/Huslia around September 6, Fort Yukon around September 16, and the Canadian border around September 26.

The coho salmon outlook is for an average run size (average is 206,000). The estimated coho salmon run size as of August 19 (based on the mainstem sonar near Pilot Station and the downstream harvest) is estimated to be 64,000 fish which is below the median of 86,000 fish for this date. The average mid-point of the coho salmon run is August 23 at Pilot Station.

Fall Assessment Projects

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

The fall chum salmon cumulative CPUE for the project through August 19 was 1,826.54, which is above the historical median of 1,221.61 for this date. The coho salmon cumulative CPUE through August 19 was 103.76, which is below the historical median of 242.23 for this date.

Mountain Village Drift Test Fishing / Asacarsarmiut Traditional Council

The fall chum salmon cumulative CPUE for the project through August 19 was 1,901.92, which is above the historical median of 1,558.76 for this date. The coho salmon cumulative CPUE through August 19 was 287.83, which is below the historical median of 424.64 for this date.

Sonar Project near Pilot Station / ADF&G

The cumulative passage estimate through August 19 was 489,000 fall chum salmon, which is near the median passage of approximately 491,000 fish for this date. The cumulative passage estimate for coho salmon through August 19 was 35,000 coho salmon which is below the average of 62,000 for this date.

Chandalar River Sonar/USFWS

The cumulative passage attributed to fall chum salmon, beginning August 12 through August 19, is 2,569 fish which is below the median of 10,000 for this date.  Given that the first major pulse of fall chum salmon will not reach this area of the river until late August this is not unexpected.

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. As of August 19, the 2018 preliminary proportion of age-4 and age-5 fish is 62% and 34% respectively compared to the average of 66% age-4 and 33% age-5 fish, based on a samples size of 716. Females currently represent 59% of the fish sampled (n=844), which is above the average of 57%, as of August 19. For coho salmon females currently represent 47% of the fish sampled in LYTF (n=99), which is average as of August 19.

Chum Salmon Stock Identification

Genetic mixed stock analysis (MSA) on fall season chum salmon for the strata from July 26–August 8 that passed the mainstem sonar, contained approximately 35% summer chum and 65% fall chum salmon. The fall chum salmon stocks in the sample consisted of 27% Border/US (Chandalar/Sheenjek), 26% Canadian and 12% Tanana Fall stocks. These proportions reflect that the upper stock components were approximately half each going to Canada and the Border/US.

The MSA for the strata August 9-15 contained approximately 6% summer chum and 94% fall chum salmon. The fall chum salmon stocks in the sample consisted of 41% Border/US (Chandalar/Sheenjek), 27% Canadian and 26% Tanana Fall stocks.

Fall Season Management Strategy:

As of Monday, August 20, subsistence fishing in the entire Yukon Area is under fall season management. During the fall season, subsistence fishermen may use 7.5 inch or smaller mesh size gillnets and fish wheels. Because of the Chinook salmon restrictions put in place in the Yukon Area this season, the department is increasing the opportunity to harvest fall chum salmon for subsistence use. Therefore, the subsistence salmon fishing schedules in Districts 4 and 5 were relaxed to seven days per week.

Summer Assessment Projects

Sonar Project Near Eagle / ADF&G

The sonar project near Eagle began operations on July 4. Chinook salmon passage as of August 19, is estimated to be 57,893 fish, which is above the historical cumulative average of 56,342 Chinook salmon for this date. The Interim Management Escapement Goal for Canadian-origin Chinook salmon is 42,500-55,000 fish which is assessed by estimating the passage at the mainstem sonar project near Eagle and then subtracting the estimated harvested fish removed upstream of the sonar.

The age composition of 257 Chinook salmon sampled from the drift gillnets in the Eagle sonar test fishery, through July 25, was 8% age-4, 42% age-5, 48% age-6, and 2% age-7 fish. The proportions of Chinook salmon that were age-5 and age-7 were slightly below average, while the proportions of fish that were age-4 and age-6 were slightly above average. The proportion of fish that were female, 45%, was above average.

Subsistence Fishing Schedule:

South Coastal District (Naskonat Peninsula to 1 mile south of Black River):

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

District 1 including the North Coastal District (1 mile south of Black River to Point Romanof):

Subsistence Fishing in District 1 is open for the fall season for 24 hours a day, seven days per week except for closures before, during, and after each commercial fishing period. Subsistence fishermen may use 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

During the current commercial period, subsistence salmon fishing in District 1, including the Pastolik and Pastoliak Rivers, closed at 12:00 noon Monday, August 20, and will reopen at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 21. Additionally, during subsistence salmon closures, subsistence fishing in the Pastolik and Pastoliak Rivers (including 500 yards around the mouths) is closed for all gillnet fishing, including gillnets with 4-inch mesh or less, is closed in these waters before, during, and after each commercial opening.

District 2 (Mountain Village, St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, Marshall):

Subsistence Fishing in District 2 is open for the fall season for 24 hours a day, seven days per week except for 12 hours before, during, and 12 hours after each commercial fishing period. Subsistence fishermen may use 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Due to the current commercial period, subsistence salmon fishing will close at 2 a.m. Tuesday, August 21 and reopen at 6 a.m. Wednesday, August 22.

District 3 (Russian Mission, Paimiut, Holy Cross):

Subsistence fishing in District 3 is open for the fall season 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Subsistence fishermen may use 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Innoko River:

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

District 4 (from ¾ mile downstream of Old Paradise Village upstream to the westernmost edge of Illinois Creek, which includes all the communities between Anvik and Ruby):

Subsistence salmon fishing is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Subsistence fishermen may use 7.5-inch or smaller mesh size drift and set gillnets and fish wheels.

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.

District 5 (from Illinois Creek upstream to the U.S./Canada border, and including all adjacent tributaries, which includes all the communities between Tanana and Eagle):

Subsistence fishing is 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 portions of Subdistricts 5-C and 5-D from the western most tip of Garnet Island upstream to the mouth of 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 areas 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.

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

Subsistence fishing is open for two 42-hour periods per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels from:

6 p.m. Fridays to 12 noon Sundays

6 p.m. Mondays to 12 noon Wednesdays

A subsistence fishing permit is required to fish for salmon in the Tanana River drainage below the Wood River. Permits are available from the ADF&G office in Fairbanks. Subsistence salmon fishermen 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 p.m. Thursday each week by reporting online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/PU/ or by calling (907) 459-7388. When you call, please provide your name, permit number, fishing location, and daily catch by species for that week.

Kantishna River:

The Kantishna River is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Fishermen may use fish wheels or gillnets with a mesh size of 7.5 inches or less.

Old Minto Area:

Subsistence fishing is currently open with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels on the regulatory schedule of five days per week from:

6 p.m. Fridays until 6 p.m. Wednesdays

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):

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

Personal Use Fishing:

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

Personal use fishing is open for two 42-hour periods per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels from:

6 p.m. Fridays to 12 noon Sundays

6 p.m. Mondays to 12 noon Wednesdays

A personal use salmon fishing permit and sport fish license are required to fish in Subdistrict 6-C. Fishermen are required to report their harvest catches to the department by 4:30 p.m. Thursday each week by reporting online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/PU/ or by calling (907) 459-7388. When you call, please provide your name, permit number, fishing location, and daily catch by species for that week.

Commercial Fishing:

To date, commercial fishing has been directed on fall chum salmon in accordance with the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan. The incidental catch of coho salmon in the fall chum salmon directed fishery is increasing. Commercial fishermen in Districts 1 and 2 can expect to continue a 2-period per week schedule. Districts 4 and 6, and Subdistricts 5-B and 5-C are open to commercial fishing during the fall season. Currently, there are no registered buyers operating in Districts 4, 5 or 6. Fishermen must confirm they have a buyer prior to fishing. Processors, catcher-sellers, or direct marketers are required to notify the department of their intent to operate by contacting the Fairbanks office at 459-7274.

Commercial Fishing Periods:

District 1 (including Black River) Commercial:

Fall Period 12:

District 1 Set Net Only Area is open from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. on Monday, August 20. The remainder of District 1 is open 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Monday, August 20. Fishermen may use 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

The preliminary cumulative commercial harvest through August 20 in District 1 is 124,884 fall chum salmon and 25,568 coho salmon.

District 2 Commercial:

Fall Period 13: District 2 is open from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21.

The preliminary cumulative commercial harvest through August 18 in District 2 is 82,245 fall chum salmon and 13,384 coho salmon.

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

The commercial fishing season is open for the fall season. Currently, there are no registered buyers operating in District 4. Processors, catcher-sellers, or direct marketers are required to notify the department of their intent to operate by contacting the Fairbanks office at 459-7274.

The preliminary cumulative commercial harvest through August 2 in Subdistrict 4-A is 596 fall chum salmon.

Subdistricts 5-B and 5-C Commercial (from Illinois Creek along the north bank of the Yukon River upstream the mouth of the Tanana River, and both along banks of the Yukon River upstream to the regulatory markers 2 miles below Waldron Creek, which includes the communities of Tanana and Rampart as well as the area near the Yukon River Bridge):

Commercial fishing in Subdistricts 5-B and 5-C is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week until further notice. Fishermen may use fish wheels or set gillnets with a mesh size of 6 inches or smaller.

Commercial fishermen must confirm their buyer or market prior to commercial fishing. Processors, catcher sellers, or direct marketers are required to notify the department of their intent to operate by contacting the Fairbanks office at 459-7274.

District 6 Commercial (from the mouth of the Tanana River upstream to the regulatory marker at the mouth of Wood River, upstream to the Chena River, which includes the communities of Manley, Nenana, and Fairbanks):

Commercial periods will open concurrent with subsistence and personal use fishing schedules in District 6 until further notice.

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

• 6 p.m. Fridays to 12 noon Sundays
• 6 p.m. Mondays to 12 noon Wednesdays

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