Federal Subsistence Board News

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 from the mouth of the river to a line approximately 10 miles upriver from Upper Kalskag, beginning at the downriver end of Luke’s/Dave Norrs Island on the north side of the Kuskokwim River, due south to the upriver end of the Old River on the south side of the Kuskokwim River, to a 6-hour gillnet opportunity for Federally qualified subsistence users to harvest fish other than Chinook Salmon. During this opportunity, Federally qualified subsistence users may fish from 3:00 p.m. July 1, 2017, until 9:00 p.m. July 1, 2017 using set or drift gillnets with 6 inch or less stretched mesh and not exceeding 45 mesh in depth. Nets cannot exceed 25 fathoms (150 feet) in length. The closure above the Old River is in place to eliminate harvest of Chinook Salmon in the upper portion of the river where Chum and Sockeye to Chinook Salmon ratios are lower than in the lower portion of the river. Federally qualified subsistence users identified in the ANILCA Section 804 subsistence user prioritization may retain Chinook Salmon incidentally harvested in gillnets.

The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) will hold a summer work session July 17-18, 2017.  On July 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Board will meet at the BP Energy Center, 900 E. Benson Boulevard, in Anchorage. 

Copper Center, AK. The pre-season fishing schedule for Federally qualified subsistence users in the Chitina Subdistrict of the Copper River was amended today by the Federal Subsistence Board. This season schedule is identical to the State season schedule and is subject to change based on numbers of salmon entering the Copper River.

The Federal Subsistence Board is accepting written comments, through August 4, 2017, on proposed changes to Federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations.  These proposed changes would affect Federal subsistence seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means for the taking of wildlife, and customary and traditional use determinations for the regulatory years July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThis news release announces changes commercial fishing times for District 2 based on tender operation, and supersedes News Release # 24 from June 26 for District 2.Subsistence fishing in District 2 will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week except closed 2 hours before, during, and 2 hours after commercial periods. Commercial and subsistence fishing schedules are available 24 hours a day at (866) 479-7387.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaBased on passage at the Pilot Station sonar and run timing estimates, the 2017 Chinook salmon drainage-wide run is on track to be near or above the upper end of the preseason outlook range of 140,000 to 195,000 fish. The 2017 summer chum salmon run is on track to be above the upper end of the preseason outlook range of 2.2 to 2.5 million fish.  

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThis announcement replaces News Release #22 from June 23. Effective immediately, fishing in Subdistrict 5-D will remain open with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels. Previously announced fishing closures have been cancelled.  

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaInseason assessment indicates that nearly 2 million summer chum have entered the Yukon River. In order to harvest summer chum salmon from this strong run while still protecting Chinook salmon, two commercial openings with 5.5-inch or smaller mesh are being announced in District 1 and three openings with selective gear are being announced in District 2. Commercial fishermen should confirm their market before they fish and stand by for the announcement of additional periods.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Pilot Station sonar summer chum salmon passage estimate through June 22 is approximately 1.5 million fish which is well above the median of 445,000 fish for this date. Currently there is a market for summer chum salmon and based on run strength, commercial fishing is being opened in Subdistrict 4-A to target summer chum salmon.

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces a 12-hour gillnet opportunity for Federally qualified subsistence users to harvest fish other than Chinook Salmon on Federal public waters of the mainstem of the Kuskokwim River. During this opportunity, Federally qualified subsistence users may fish from 12:01 p.m. (noon) June 24, 2017, until 11:59 p.m. (midnight) June 24, 2017 using set or drift gillnets with 6 inch or less stretched mesh and not exceeding 45 mesh in depth. Nets cannot exceed 25 fathoms (150 feet) in length. Federally qualified subsistence users identified in the ANILCA Section 804 subsistence user prioritization may retain Chinook Salmon incidentally harvested in gillnets.