Bulletin: Kuskokwim River Mainstem Set Net Opportunities

Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge In-Season Manager announces three set gillnet fishing opportunities. The locations included are the mainstem Kuskokwim River downstream of the Aniak box to the mouth of the Kuskokwim River at the Refuge boundary for federally qualified subsistence users only.

 Set Gillnet: 

• August 29, 08:00 am to 08:00 pm (12 Hours)
• September 5, 08:00 am to 08:00 pm (12 Hours)
• September 12, 08:00 am to 08:00 pm (12 Hours)

Set gillnets are restricted to 4-inch or less mesh, may not exceed 45 meshes in depth, and 60 feet in length. 

The salmon-bearing tributaries and the Aniak Box listed in 04-SS-26-03 will remain closed to all gillnets and all species of fish may be retained during these opportunities. When each harvest opportunity expires, Federal public waters of the mainstem Kuskokwim River, downstream of Aniak Box to the mouth of the Kuskokwim River will return to closed to the use of gillnets by all users for the protection of coho salmon.

Justification: The use of four-inch mesh or less set gillnets is intended to target whitefish species that are normally harvested during the fall. Near 90% of the coho salmon run is likely past the lower river and the harvest of coho salmon is anticipated to be minimal.

These management actions were decided on in consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska. 

Missing out on the latest federal subsistence issues? To receive email updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov. 

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