Federal Subsistence Board News

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #36 District 6 Subsistence and Personal Use Fishing Schedule

07/20/2020

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe drainage-wide Chinook salmon run size was below average this season, and genetic results indicated the stocks that spawn in the U.S. tributaries may have been weaker than average as well. The current counts of Chinook salmon at the Chena River tower and sonar project are low and indicate that the escapement goal may not be met. Like other areas of the drainage, Chinook salmon harvests are being limited. Fishing will be limited to selective gear (e.g. manned fish wheels and dip nets) as the majority of the Chinook salmon run moves through the Tanana River. Fishermen may keep chum and non-salmon species, but must release all Chinook salmon alive.

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Chignik River Federal Subsistence Fishery for Chinook Salmon

07/16/2020

The Federal In-season Manager, pursuant to delegated authority from the Federal Subsistence Board under ANILCA Title VIII section 816, will issue an emergency special action (8-KS-01-20) to close fishing for Chinook Salmon to all users, non-federal and Federally qualified users, in Federal public waters of the Chignik River drainage, effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday July 18. This action is necessary to ensure the continued viability of the Chignik River Chinook Salmon population. This action prohibits all fishing for Chinook Salmon and they may not be retained or possessed. Chinook Salmon accidentally caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #35 Summer Update # 6, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

07/13/2020

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe Chinook and summer chum salmon runs are nearly complete in the lower river, and management will transition to fall season in District 1 on July 16. The projected season total passage at the Pilot Station sonar is approximately 160,000 Chinook salmon (Figure 1). Based on passage at the Pilot Station sonar and inseason genetic mixed stock analysis (MSA), the Canadian-origin Chinook salmon run size past the sonar is estimated to be about 77,000 fish which is the middle of the preseason outlook of 59,000 to 90,000 fish.

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New Subsistence Drawing Hunts Offered for GMU 15

07/10/2020

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Manager, under authority of the Federal Subsistence Board announces the open application period for 3 new draw hunts for Mountain Goat, Sheep, and Caribou in GMU 15 on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Applications may be submitted by calling Todd Eskelin at (907) 398-9553.

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #33 District 6 Subsistence and Personal Use Fishing Schedule

07/09/2020

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe current counts of Chinook salmon at Pilot Station sonar now indicate the run size is projected to meet escapement goals and support some harvest. Fishing conditions on the Tanana River have been poor due to high water and drift as the early portion of the run has moved into the area. Harvest amounts in this district are limited by permit stipulations in subsistence and personal use fisheries. Fishing will therefore return to the regulatory schedule and fishermen may use 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

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2020 Yukon River Salmon Summer Fishery Announcement #32 District 4 and Koyukuk River Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/09/2020

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe drainage-wide run size is projected to be around 150,000 Chinook salmon. A run of this size should meet escapement goals, but the surplus for harvest is limited, so fishermen should adjust their Chinook salmon goals to about half of what they harvested last year. Once the majority of the Chinook salmon run has passed the area, fishing will be allowed with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh on the full regulatory schedule of two 48-hour periods per week.

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