2020 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #28 Subdistricts 6-A and 6-B and Kantishna River 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. Because the fall chum salmon run migration is essentially complete in Subdistricts 6- A and 6-B, subsistence fishing restrictions are being relaxed in the mainstem of the Tanana River to provide fishing opportunity for other fish species.

10/09/2020
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

Subsistence Management Actions

Subdistricts 6-A and 6-B (from the mouth of the Tanana River upstream to the Wood River, including Manley, Minto, Old Minto Area, and Nenana):

Subsistence salmon fishing is closed. Fishermen may use 4-inch or smaller mesh gillnets to target non-salmon species. Fishermen may also use live-release fish wheels and dip nets to target other salmon and non-salmon fish. Fall chum caught in selective gear must be released alive immediately and bypass any livebox on a fish wheel.

Effective 6:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, subsistence salmon fishing in the mainstem Tanana River will open with 7.5 inch or smaller mesh gillnets, dip nets, and fish wheels for one 42-hour period from 6:00 p.m. Friday, October 9 to 12:00 noon Sunday, October 11. All fish caught may be retained.

Weekly reporting required if you fish between three miles upstream of Totchaket Slough to the Wood River. Report catch by 4:30 P.M. Thursdays at www.adfg.alaska.gov/harvest or call (907) 459-7388.

Tributaries, including the Kantishna River drainage (including Lake Minchumina), will remain open with selective gear only as these systems contain important spawning areas for fall chum salmon. Fishermen may continue to use 4-inch or smaller mesh gillnets to target non-salmon species. Fishermen may also use live-release fish wheels and dip nets to target other salmon and non-salmon fish. Fall chum salmon caught in selective gear must be released alive immediately and bypass any livebox on a fish wheel.

A note to fishermen near 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.

A subsistence permit is required for salmon fishing in the Tanana River up to the Wood River (Kantishna River drainage and Subdistricts 6-A and 6-B). Permits are available online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/. A reminder that permits for Subdistricts 6-A and 6-B expire October 15th and due back to the department by October 25th. Contact the department at 459-7274 for an extension.

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