2018 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release # 22 - Subdistrict 5-D Subsistence Fishing Schedule

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area

The Chinook abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release puts the lower and middle portions of Subdistrict 5-D on a reduced subsistence salmon fishing schedule with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on the first pulse of Chinook salmon which should begin arriving in Subdistrict 5-D around July 2.

06/25/2018

Last edited 01/25/2022

Contact Information

Holly Carroll, Area Management Biologist

Lower Yukon Area Office

(907) 949-1320

Fred Bue, Yukon Area Inseason Manager

Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office

(907) 455-1849 or (800) 267-3997

Toll free fishing schedule hotline: (866) 479-7387

Fishing schedule hotline in Fairbanks: 459-7387

Because of the long time it takes salmon to migrate all the way through this section of river, the Subdistrict 5-D will be subdivided into three areas: Lower, Middle, and Upper (see map below).

Subsistence Management Actions:

Subdistrict 5-D Lower and Middle (from an ADF&G regulatory marker two miles downstream of Waldron Creek upstream to 22 Mile Slough, including the Porcupine River and all other adjacent tributaries, and the communities of Stevens Village, Beaver, Venetie, Chalkyitsik, and Fort Yukon)

Subsistence fishing is currently open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels.

Effective 10 p.m. Sunday, July 1, subsistence salmon fishing will close.

Subsistence salmon fishing will reopen for 3.5 days (84 hours) with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels from 10 a.m. Thursday, July 5, to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 8.

During subsistence salmon fishing closures, fishing for non-salmon species is allowed. However, only gillnets with 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used.

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 and Eagle):

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels.

A fishing permit is required for all species 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.