2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #34 Subdistrict 5-D Subsistence Fishing Schedule

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area

The Canadian-origin Chinook salmon run size is projected to be near the midpoint of the pre-season forecast range of 59,000-99,000 fish. A run of this size should meet escapement goals, but the surplus for harvest is limited, so fishermen should adjust their Chinook salmon goals to about half of what they harvested last year.

07/10/2020
Last edited 01/25/2022
Contact Information

Holly Carroll, Area Management Biologist

(907) 267-2385

Toll free fishing schedule and counts: (866) 479-7387
In Fairbanks fishing schedule hotline: 459-7387

The distribution of the fish this year has been unusual, with an extended trickle of low passage for nearly 2 weeks, followed by the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pulses coming in larger numbers in a tight group over 10 days (at the Pilot Station sonar). Fishing is currently restricted to 6-inch gillnets and a half regulatory fishing schedule to reduce the overall harvest. Because of poor fishing conditions for the first two openings, we want to allow some opportunity to fish on the bulk of the run, while also protecting some fish in that part of the run with closures. Because of the compressed run timing and timing uncertainty in the upper river, a typical 10-day closure could mean all the fish are missed. After consulting with fishermen from this district, we’re offering a few short openings with shorter closures as the run passes through each area. The intent is to allow some fishing while numbers are higher, and some closures to allow fish passage to the spawning grounds.

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):

Fishing is open with fish wheels and gillnets restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh on the following fishing schedule (with fishing closed between the periods):

One 84-hour period: 10 a.m. Friday, July 10 until 10 p.m. Monday, July 13. One 48-hour period: 10 a.m. Friday, July 17 until 10 a.m. Sunday, July 19. One 84-hour period: 10 a.m. Friday, July 24 until 10 p.m. Monday, July 27.

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):

Fishing is open with fish wheels and gillnets restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh on the following fishing schedule (with fishing closed between the periods):

One 84-hour period: 10 a.m. Friday, July 10 until 10 p.m. Monday, July 13. One 84-hour period: 10 a.m. Friday, July 17 until 10 p.m. Monday, July 20. One 48-hour period: 10 a.m. Friday, July 24 until 10 a.m. Sunday, July 26. One 84-hour period: 10 a.m. Friday, July 31 until 10 p.m. Monday, Aug 3.

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

A subsistence permit is required to fish for all species in 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 harvest calendars and subsistence fishing permits are available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Fairbanks office (459-7274) or online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/.

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