2020 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #27 Subdistrict 5-D Middle Subsistence Fishing

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area

This year’s fall chum salmon run fell below the 300,000 fish threshold needed to allow subsistence fishing. In accordance with the Yukon River Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, subsistence fishing for fall chum salmon has been closed for most of the season. The fall chum salmon run is currently estimated to be around 200,000 fish, the lowest on record. As the end of the 2020 fall chum salmon run is complete in Subdistrict 5-D Middle, subsistence fishing restrictions are being relaxed to provide fishing opportunity for other fish species.

09/30/2020
Last edited 01/25/2022
Contact Information

Jeff Estensen, Area Management Biologist

(907) 459-7274

Toll free fishing schedule and counts: (866) 479-7387

In Fairbanks fishing schedule hotline: 459-7387

Fishermen in Subdistrict 5-D Upper should standby for an announcement as the fall chum salmon run concludes in this area.

Subsistence Management Actions

Subdistrict 5-D Middle (from Hadweenzic River to 22 Mile Slough, and all other adjacent tributaries, and includes Venetie, Chalkyitsik, and Fort Yukon; see attached map):

Subsistence salmon fishing is closed. Fishermen may use 4 inch or less gillnet gear to target non-salmon species.

Effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, October 2 subsistence fishing will open for 24 hours per day, seven days per week with 7.5 inch or smaller mesh gillnets. Fishermen may use other types of gear such as dip nets and fish wheels. All fish caught may be retained.

The Teedriinjik (Chandalar) and Porcupine rivers, and their tributaries, will remain closed as these are important spawning tributaries for fall chum salmon. Fishermen may use 4 inch or less gillnet gear to target non-salmon species in those areas. A note to fishermen fishing near fall chum salmon spawning areas, please help share the importance of not disturbing salmon spawning habitat, especially during these low salmon runs. From October to April, stream crossings should be done in riffle areas and avoid shallow open water crossings during winter to avoid disturbing the eggs and alevins in the gravel. Spawning grounds are a critical part of maintaining salmon for the future.

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Map showing the boundary divisions (upper, middle, and lower) of Upper Yukon River Subdistrict 5-D, in the Yukon Delta region of Alaska

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This is an announcement by the ADF&G in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To reach the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Fairbanks call 456-0406.

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