Federal Subsistence Board News

In an effort to conserve Buskin Lake and Afognak Lake Sockeye Salmon, and in support of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the Federal Subsistence Board has closed fishing for Sockeye Salmon by all users in Federal public waters of Womens Bay and Afognak Bay beginning 12:01 a.m., Saturday June 16, 2018 until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday August 14, 2018 (See Maps showing Federal closure areas for Afognak and Buskin Regions).

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaChinook and summer chum salmon abundance is beginning to increase in the lower Yukon River. Reports from the lower river indicate water levels are still high and large amounts of woody debris are present periodically. Based on fish detected in the Lower Yukon Test Fishery near Emmonak and historical migration timing, the early Chinook salmon should be near Holy Cross. Small numbers of Chinook and summer chum salmon may be as far upriver as Ruby and Grayling, respectively, based on the timing of fish caught in the subsistence fishery at the mouth of the Yukon River.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThis news release announces two commercial fishing periods in District 1 with selective gear. Catches of summer chum salmon may be low until the run builds in the lower river. All Chinook salmon caught in dip net and beach seine gear must be released alive immediately and recorded on a fish ticket. Dip nets are not allowed during subsistence gillnet openings.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThis news release puts Subdistrict 4-A on a reduced subsistence salmon fishing schedule. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on early groups of Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected. During these openings, fishermen may use set gillnets, drift gillnets, and fishwheels.

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 (see map), including the Tanana River drainage and portions of the Koyukuk River. 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. New to this year, 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.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaCommercial summer chum salmon fishing with selective gear (dip nets and beach seines) is beginning in Districts 1 and 2. Catches of summer chum salmon may be low until the run builds in the lower river. All Chinook salmon caught in dip net and beach seine gear must be released alive immediately and recorded on a fish ticket. Fishermen must confirm they have a buyer prior to fishing.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2018 salmon season has begun on the Yukon River. Based on above average temperatures and an early ice out, the Chinook salmon run was predicted to be early this year. The first subsistence-caught summer chum and Chinook salmon were reported on May 27. The first summer chum and Chinook salmon were caught in the Lower Yukon Test Fishery (LYTF) on May 30 and June 2, respectively, and catch rates have remained relatively low for both species. Reports from the lower river indicate water levels are very high and wood debris is some of the worst seen in years, which will likely affect fishing efforts. Based on the first fish detected in the LYTF and historical migration timing, early summer chum salmon should currently be between Pilot Station and Marshall and the early Chinook salmon should be approaching Mountain Village.

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 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 16, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

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 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 12, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

The Federal Subsistence Board closed these Federal public waters to the harvest of Chinook salmon by non-Federally qualified subsistence users via Temporary Special Action FSA-18-01 issued on May 16, 2018. In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC) and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), the Federal In- season Manager has closed Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main-stem and salmon-bearing tributaries within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the harvest of Chinook salmon by Federally qualified subsistence users beginning 12:01 a.m., June 12, 2018. Salmon tributaries are the Eek, Kwethluk, Kasigluk, Kisaralik, Tuluksak, and Aniak within the boundaries of the refuge. This closure is based on the need to conserve a lower than average Chinook salmon run.