Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaSubsistence fishing for fall chum salmon remains closed within the entire Yukon Area because the 2020 fall chum salmon run is projected to be less than the 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence fishing according to the Yukon River Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan. To provide more subsistence fishing opportunity, subsistence fishermen may use selective gear (hook and line, live-release (manned) fish wheels and dip nets) to target other salmon and non-salmon fish species. All fall chum salmon caught using the selective gear must be released alive immediately and bypass any livebox on a fish wheel.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish and is currently tracking as the lowest run size on record. Mixed stock analysis (MSA) was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and is currently estimating 130,000 fall chum salmon are in the river as of August 23. At this time based on median timing, the fall chum salmon run would be past the three-quarter-point at the mainstem sonar operated near Pilot Station. The projected abundance is below the level needed to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals, and Canadian treaty objectives (see management strategies below). Fall chum salmon are typically dominated by age-4 fish however, the 2016 parent year that produced that age class has shown extremely poor survival in chum salmon runs throughout the state.

CRAIG, Alaska – Craig and Thorne Bay District Ranger Scot Shuler, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is delaying the start of the Federal wolf hunting season in Unit 2. The closure will be effective 11:59 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2020, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2020, or until the most recent Unit 2 wolf population estimate is available. 

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish, which would be the second lowest run size since the year 2000. Mixed stock analysis was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and is currently estimating 104,000 fall chum salmon are in the river as of August 16. Based on median timing, the three-quarter-point of the fall chum salmon run at the mainstem sonar operated near Pilot Station occurs on August 19. The projected abundance is below the level needed to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals, and Canadian treaty objectives (see management strategies below). Fall chum salmon are typically dominated by age-4 fish however, the 2016 parent year that produced that age class has shown extremely poor survival in chum salmon runs throughout the state.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish, which is the second lowest run size since the year 2000. Mixed stock genetic analysis was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and resulted in an estimate of 99,200 fall chum salmon having passed the mainstem sonar near Pilot Station as of August 12. The mid-point of the fall chum salmon run at the mainstem sonar typically occurs on August 11. Within the Yukon River Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, a threshold of 300,000 fall chum salmon is needed to allow any fishing for fall chum salmon in the Yukon Area. 

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish, which is the second lowest run size since the year 2000. Mixed stock genetic analysis was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and resulted in an estimate of 99,200 fall chum salmon having passed the mainstem sonar near Pilot Station as of August 12. The mid-point of the fall chum salmon run at the mainstem sonar typically occurs on August 11. 

The Kodiak/Aleutians Subsistence Regional Advisory Council will meet September 2-3, 2020, by teleconference. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. daily.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish, which is the second lowest run size since the year 2000. Mixed stock analysis was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and resulted in an estimate of 81,000 fall chum salmon in the river as of August 10. The mid-point of the fall chum salmon run at the mainstem sonar operated near Pilot Station typically occurs on August 11. The projected abundance is below the level needed to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals, and Canadian treaty objectives (see management strategies below). Fall chum salmon are typically dominated by age-4 fish however, the 2016 parent year that produced that age class has shown extremely poor survival in chum salmon runs throughout the state.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area The 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish, which is the second lowest run size since the year 2000. Mixed stock analysis was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and resulted in an estimate of 78,000 fall chum salmon in the river as of August 9. 

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish, which is the second lowest run size since the year 2000. Mixed stock analysis was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and resulted in an estimate of 78,000 fall chum salmon in the river as of August 9.