Federal Subsistence Board News

Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2019 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release #24 Districts 1 and 2 Commercial Fishing Schedule

07/03/2019

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaAfter a late start, summer chum salmon entering the lower river has recently increased dramatically and passage by the sonar has exceeded the lower end of the drainage-wide escapement goal of 500,000 fish. Current projections indicate a commercial surplus is available for harvest. The commercial fishing season for summer chum salmon will start in the Lower Yukon. Fishermen must confirm they have a buyer and should check on tender locations prior to fishing.

Read More
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

Federal Subsistence Board to hold teleconference on Wildlife Temporary Special Action Requests WSA19-03 (Unit 13 moose and caribou), WSA19-05 (Unimak Island caribou), and WSA19-06 (Unit 20E, 25C, and 20F caribou)

07/02/2019

The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) will hold a teleconference on July 19, 2019, to take action on Temporary Wildlife Special Action Requests WSA19-03, WSA19-05, and WSA19-06. The teleconference will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. or until the Board completes its work.

Read More
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2019 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release #23 Summer Update # 5, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

07/02/2019

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe Chinook salmon run is currently coming in stronger than the run observed in 2018 and will most likely be within the preseason projection range of 168,000 to 241,000 fish. (Figure 1). The average first quarter point for Chinook salmon for a run with normal run timing at Pilot station sonar is June 18 and the midpoint is typically June 24. Like 2018, some subsistence harvest restrictions are necessary in order to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives on a run of this size.

Read More
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2019 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release #22 District 5 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/02/2019

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaSo far, the 2019 Chinook run appears similar to the 2018 run size. Similar to 2018, harvest on Chinook runs of this size needs to be restricted in order to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. Like last year, fishing is reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule, and gillnets are being restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh to allow fish to pass upriver.

Read More
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2019 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release #21 District 4 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/02/2019

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe 2019 summer chum run projection has improved significantly and now indicates the drainage-wide escapement goal will be met. The 2019 Chinook run appears similar to the 2018 Chinook run size. Similar to 2018, harvest on Chinook runs of this size needs to be restricted in order to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. Gillnet restrictions are being relaxed in some districts to allow harvest opportunity for Chinook salmon, in the presence of summer chum. However, fishing periods are still reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule, which allows Chinook salmon to pass upriver to spawn.

Read More
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2019 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release #20 Coastal, Districts 1-3, and Innoko River Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/02/2019

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe summer chum run projections have improved with strong late groups of chum moving into the river. The lower end of the drainage-wide escapement goal of 500,000 to 1.2 million is likely to be met and there may be commercial surplus available. Chinook salmon are still entering the river and the run appears to be coming in toward the middle of the preseason forecast. With a run size similar to 2018, some limits on harvest are still necessary to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. The Chinook run should be nearly 75% complete in the lower river at this time.

Read More
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2019 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release #18 Coastal District Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/01/2019

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe summer chum salmon run is coming in weak and current projections indicate that it may come in near the lower end of the drainage wide escapement goal of 500,000 to 1.2 million fish. Because of the need to conserve summer chum, and to allow fish to pass upriver to spawning grounds, subsistence fishing in the southern portion of the coastal district is being restricted to half of the regulatory schedule.

Read More
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2019 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release #17 Subsistence and Personal Use Permits Available Online

07/01/2019

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaSubsistence and personal use fishermen are required to have a household permit prior to fishing in portions of the upper Yukon River drainage, the Tanana River drainage, and a portion of the Koyukuk River (see figures below). For information on permits and fish species, contact the Fish and Game office in Fairbanks at (907) 459-7274. Permits are available to Alaska residents and are free of charge. Fishermen can obtain permits anytime online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/store. Permits are also available Monday through Friday during regular business hours at local Fish and Game offices in Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Tok, and Anchorage.

Read More