2020 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #13 Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B, and 5-C Subsistence Fishing Schedule

Within the Yukon River Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, a threshold of 300,000 fall chum salmon is needed to allow any fishing for fall chum salmon in the Yukon Area. The current inseason projection is below that threshold, therefore subsistence, commercial, sport, and personal use fishing for fall chum salmon are closing in the mainstem Yukon River until further notice. In addition, the projected abundance would not achieve the lower end of the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, and likely not achieve any of the tributary escapement goals, and/or 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 Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B, and 5-C are cancelled until further notice to allow fall chum salmon to reach their spawning areas. The department will continue to assess the run to determine if there are surpluses of chum salmon for further harvest opportunities.

Subsistence Management Actions

Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B, and 5-C (Tanana and Rampart):

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

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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