Bulletin: YUKON AREA GILLNET CLOSURE IN COASTAL DISTRICT, DISTRICT 1, AND DISTRICT 2

The Yukon River in-season Fisheries Manager issued an Emergency Special Action closing all gillnets for all users in the Federal public waters between the latitude of Point Romanof and the latitude of the westernmost point of the Naskonat Peninsula including those waters draining into the Bering Sea (the Coastal District), and Federal public waters of the Yukon fishing districts 1 and 2. This action protects the Chinook and summer chum salmon runs. All gillnets must be completely removed from the water. 

Temporary Special Action 03-KS-01-26, which previously closed Chinook and summer chum salmon fishing, still allowed use of 4-inch and smaller mesh gillnets to target nonsalmon species. This action removes all gillnets to reduce incidental harvest of salmon during peak passage of Chinook salmon in each area. When this Emergency Special Action expires, fishing for species not closed to harvest may resume with gillnets limited to 4-inch mesh or smaller and 60 feet maximum length, operated as a set net near shore.

During the gillnet closure, fishermen may use selective gear such as, dip nets, beach seines, and hook and line gear for pink salmon, sockeye salmon, and nonsalmon species. If Chinook and summer chum salmon are accidentally caught, they must be released alive.

Dates of the closure:

Effective Date:  Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 8:00 p.m. for Coastal District and District 1

                              Thursday, June 18, 2026, 8:00 p.m. for District 2

Expiration Date:  Friday, July 3, 2026, 8:00 p.m. for Coastal District and District 1;

                                Sunday, July 5, 2026, 8:00 p.m. for District 2, unless superseded by subsequent special action

This action is taken in coordination with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fishery managers. The fishing schedules announced here match those issued concurrently by the ADF&G in State waters (Summer Fishery Advisory Announcement #9).

The emergency special action, 03-KS-05-26, can be found online at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/fisheries-special-actions.

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 emails updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov. 

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