2017 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release #2: Yukon River Subsistence Fishing Schedule

When the first pulse of Chinook salmon is detected in the Lower Yukon Test Fishery, news releases will go out announcing that fishing will close and then reopen with selective gear types in each section of the river as Chinook salmon migrate upstream. The department would like to extend gratitude to the subsistence fishermen who have shared harvest information. These reports are instrumental in directing management actions.

Management Actions

South Coastal District (from the Naskonat Peninsula north to 62 degrees North latitude):

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

Effective 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, subsistence fishing is restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh size gillnets and open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

District 1 (including Black River and North Coastal District): This year the Northern portion of the Coastal District will be managed the same as District 1. The Northern portion of the Coastal District extends from 62 degrees North latitude north to Point Romanof and includes all coastal and state marine waters up to 3 miles off shore.  

District 1 (including Black River and North Coastal District):

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

Effective 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, subsistence fishing will close.

Effective 8 p.m. Thursday, June 1, Fishing will re-open with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets on the regulatory salmon fishing schedule of two 36-hour periods per week:

• 8 p.m. Thursdays until 8 a.m. Saturdays
• 8 p.m. Mondays until 8 a.m. Wednesdays 

District 2:

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

Effective 8 a.m. on Friday, June 2, subsistence fishing will close.

Effective 8 p.m. Sunday, June 4, fishing will re-open with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets on the regulatory salmon fishing schedule of two 36-hour periods per week:

• 8 p.m. Sundays until 8 a.m. Tuesdays
• 8 p.m. Wednesdays until 8 a.m. Fridays 

District 3:

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

Effective 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, subsistence fishing will close.

Effective 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, fishing will re-open with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets on the regulatory salmon fishing schedule of two 36-hour periods per week.

• 8 p.m. Wednesdays until 8 a.m. Fridays 
• 8 p.m. Sundays until 8 a.m. Tuesdays

Innoko River and Koyukuk River:

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh size gillnets and fish wheels. Based on projected total run abundance, it is not anticipated that fishing restrictions will be necessary within these rivers.

Districts 4 and 5:

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh size gillnets and fish wheels until early salmon reach these districts. At that time, salmon management will be based on inseason run assessment.

Subdistricts 6-A and 6-B:

Subsistence fishing is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh size gillnets and fish wheels until early salmon reach these districts. At that time, salmon management will be based on inseason run assessment.

Subdistricts 6-C (Personal use fishery):

Personal use salmon fishing is open for two 42-hour fishing periods per week, from 6:00 p.m. Friday until 12:00 noon Sunday, and from 6:00 p.m. Monday until 12:00 noon Wednesday. Fishermen may use fish wheels or 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Old Minto Area:

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

Upper Tanana Area:

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

For additional information:

Subsistence fishing schedule and daily count information: 1-866-479-7387 (toll free outside of Fairbanks); in Fairbanks, call 907-459-7387.

ADF&G: Holly Carroll, Anchorage 907-267-2324. The Emmonak ADF&G office number is 907-949-1320. The Emmonak office is expected to open June 1. News releases will be shared on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YukonRiverFishingADFG.

USFWS: Fred Bue, Fairbanks 907-455-1849 or 1-800-267-3997.

This is an announcement by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

View Full News Release

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