Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaSo far, the 2019 Chinook run appears similar to the 2018 Chinook run size, and restrictions to harvest will likely be required to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. The subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule and gillnets are being restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh. The 2019 summer chum salmon run is coming in late, therefore there is currently less overlap of the summer chum and Chinook salmon runs in middle and upper river districts.  

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaWater levels are dropping and woody debris has been intermittent in the lower river. A strong early trickle of Chinook is making its way upriver and the first pulse of Chinook salmon is being counted at the Pilot Station sonar.  The average first quarter point at the sonar for Chinook salmon with normal run timing is June 19. In the Lower Yukon Test Fishery, Chinook salmon catches have been good for multiple tides and chum salmon catches have begun to increase. In recent years, there has been a strong early trickle of chum salmon, though that has not been the case this season, which may indicate a late run. Though summer chum salmon estimates are below average at the Pilot Station sonar, this beginning portion of the run represents between 2 and 9% of the run, with the first quartile of a late run occurring, on average, on June 24th at the sonar project.

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces the opening of that portion of the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main-stem from a line downstream of Kalskag at the south edge of Uknavik Slough and then due east to the edge of the bluff line to the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) boundary at Aniak, to the harvest of Chinook Salmon, by Federally qualified subsistence users identified in the Section 804 subsistence user prioritization analysis, which includes residents of the Kuskokwim River drainage and the villages of Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Kongiganak, effective June 19, 2019 from 6:00 PM until superseded by subsequent emergency special action.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaBased on preseason projections, the 2019 Chinook salmon run on the Yukon River is anticipated to have average run timing, and similar run size to last year. The subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule. This is intended to limit the harvest on early groups of Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected. In response to feedback from fishermen from District 4 at the spring preseason meeting, the schedule has been changed from last year in order to provide more fishing opportunity during the weekend.

A public hearing is scheduled for 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at the Northwest Arctic Borough, Assembly Room, located at 163 Lagoon Street, in Kotzebue, to receive public testimony on a Temporary Special Action request received by the Federal Subsistence Board (Board).

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe Chinook run size is forecasted to be similar in size to the 2018 run. The Chinook salmon run timing is predicted to be average this year. Water levels are very high; however, woody debris is not currently affecting test-fishing near the mouth of the river.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaBased on preseason projections, the 2019 Chinook salmon run on the Yukon River is anticipated to have average run timing, and similar run size to last year. Consistent catches of Chinook salmon have been detected in the Lower Yukon River Test Fishery; therefore, the subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule. This is intended to limit the harvest on early groups of Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected. In response to feedback from fishermen from Districts 2 and 3 at the spring preseason meeting, opening times have been changed from last year in order to provide more fishing opportunity during the weekend.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaBased on preseason projections, the 2019 Chinook salmon run on the Yukon River is anticipated to have average run timing, and similar run size to last year. Consistent catches of Chinook salmon have been detected in the Lower Yukon River Test Fishery; therefore, the subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule. This is intended to limit the harvest on early groups of Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected. Because Chinook salmon tend to enter the south mouth early in the season and shift to the north mouth later in the season, the reduced subsistence schedule will be delayed in the north mouth around the village of Kotlik for one week (please see map below).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chignik Area Federal Inseason Manager and the Office of Subsistence Management staff will hold a subsistence fishing stakeholder meeting at the Chignik Bay Community hall on Friday, June 7 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.  The purpose of the meeting is to provide all interested parties an opportunity to discuss the upcoming salmon season with USFWS staff.

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces the opening of the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main-stem within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the use of gillnets for the harvest of Chinook Salmon by Federally qualified subsistence users identified in the Section 804 subsistence user prioritization analysis, which includes residents of the Kuskokwim River drainage and the villages of Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Kongiganak, for 12 hours effective June 19, 2019 from 06:00 AM until 06:00 PM.