2020 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #10 Districts 1-3, Coastal District, and Innoko River Subsistence Fishing Schedule

The mid-point of the fall chum salmon run at the mainstem sonar operated near Pilot Station typically occurs on August 11. The projected abundance is below the level needed to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals, and Canadian treaty objectives. Fall chum salmon are typically dominated by age-4 fish; however, the 2016 parent year that produced that age class has shown extremely poor survival in chum salmon runs throughout the state. Consequently, subsistence salmon fishing periods in the Lower Yukon Area are cancelled until further notice to allow fall chum salmon to reach their spawning areas. The Innoko River remains open because fall chum salmon are not known to be present. The department will continue to assess the run to determine if there are surpluses of chum salmon for further harvest opportunities.

Subsistence Management Actions

Coastal District (from the Naskonat Peninsula north to 1 nautical mile south of the Black River, which includes Hooper Bay and Scammon Bay):

Subsistence salmon fishing is open seven days per week, 24 hours per day with 7.5 inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

Effective 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, subsistence salmon fishing in the Coastal District will close until further notice.

Districts 1-3 (Black River, and communities of Emmonak, Nunam Iqua, Alakanuk, Kotlik, Mountain Village, Pitkas Point, St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, Marshall, Russian Mission and Holy Cross):

Subsistence salmon fishing is currently closed. Previously announced subsistence salmon fishing periods are cancelled until further notice.

Innoko River:

Subsistence salmon fishing is open seven days per week, 24 hours per day with 7.5 inch or smaller mesh gillnets.

During subsistence salmon fishing closures, only gillnets with 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used to target non- salmon species. Fish wheels may not be operated during the closures.

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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