2021 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #11 Subdistrict 5-D Subsistence Fishing Schedule

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area

The 2021 fall chum salmon run size is critically low, worse than last season’s fall chum salmon run that was the lowest on record. As of August 12, the Yukon River mainstem sonar near Pilot Station estimated 83,000 chum salmon (summer and fall) have passed upriver. Genetic mixed stock analysis results indicate only 39,000 of those were fall chum salmon, which is well below last year’s genetic estimate of 99,000 fall chum salmon for that date. Based on inseason assessment projects at the midpoint of the run, the current projection indicates a run size of approximately 100,000 fish. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the inseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence fishing. In addition, the 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 salmon fishing will be closed to begin the fall season. Subsistence fishermen should prepare for continued closures.

08/13/2021
Last edited 01/25/2022
Contact Information

Christy Gleason, Acting Area Management Biologist

(907) 949-1320

Toll free fishing schedule and counts: (866) 479-7387

Consistent with transitioning to fall season management, the following management actions are in effect:

Subdistrict 5-D (Stevens Village, Beaver, Birch Creek, Arctic Village, Fort Yukon, Venetie, Chalkyitsik, Fort Yukon, Central, Circle, Eagle and including all tributaries of the Yukon River drainage)

This area will transition to fall season management at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 16, and remain closed to subsistence salmon fishing.

Gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used during subsistence salmon fishing closures to target non-salmon. 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. However, in Birch Creek and the subsistence area portion of Beaver Creek, gillnet mesh size may not exceed 3 inches. Fishermen are reminded to use this gear in areas where non-salmon species are abundant to avoid incidentally harvesting Chinook and chum salmon.

Additionally, other legal gear to take non-salmon species during subsistence salmon fishing closures in this area includes hand line, longline, fyke net, dip net and spear.

The department would like to thank fishermen for their continued cooperation during these times of conservation for Chinook and chum salmon.

A subsistence permit is required to fish for all species in a portion of Subdistrict 5-D from two miles below Waldron Creek to the mouth of the Dall River (Dalton Highway bridge area), and from the upstream mouth of 22 Mile Slough to the U.S./Canada border (Circle and Eagle). Permits are available at www.adfg.alaska.gov/store.

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

This is an announcement by the ADF&G in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

To reach the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Yukon River Subsistence Fishery Manager, Holly Carroll, please call 907-351-3029.

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