2021 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #1 Coastal District and Districts 1-3 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

The 2021 fall chum salmon run size is anticipated to be critically low. The fall chum salmon preseason projection, based on the relationship between summer chum salmon and fall chum salmon run sizes, is for a run size less than 300,000 fish. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the preseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence fishing. In addition, the current run projection is unlikely to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives. Therefore, subsistence fishing for salmon will be closed to begin the fall season.

Gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used during salmon fishing closures to target non-salmon. However, due to the conservation concern for Chinook and chum salmon, 4-inch or smaller mesh gillnets are restricted to a maximum length of 60-feet. Fishermen are reminded to set this gear in areas where non-salmon species are abundant to avoid incidentally harvesting Chinook and chum salmon. While any salmon caught in this gear may be kept, if it appears salmon are being targeted with this gear, it could be further restricted.

Yukon Area advisory announcements and fish counts can be obtained by visiting www.facebook.com/YukonRiverFishingADFG. To receive advisory announcements by email, sign up at www.cfnews.adfg.alaska.gov.

Upon transitioning to fall season management, subsistence fishing schedules in the Lower Yukon Area districts are as follows:

Coastal District (from the Naskonat Peninsula north to 1 nautical mile south of the Black River, which includes Chevak, Hooper Bay and Scammon Bay)

Will transition to fall season management at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 16, and remain closed to subsistence salmon fishing. Gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used to target non-salmon but are restricted to 60 feet or shorter length.