2020 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #9 Subdistrict 5-D Lower and Middle 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 Subdistrict 5-D Lower and Middle 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.

To allow for the harvest of nonsalmon species, the opportunity to use 4-inch or smaller mesh gear is being reinstated in portions of Subdistrict 5-D. Fishermen should set this gear in areas where salmon are unlikely to be harvested.

Subsistence Management Actions

Subdistrict 5-D Lower and Middle (from an ADF&G regulatory marker two miles downstream of Waldron Creek upstream to 22 Mile Slough, including the Porcupine River and all other adjacent tributaries, and the communities of Stevens Village, Beaver, Venetie, Chalkyitsik, and Fort Yukon):

Subsistence salmon fishing is currently closed. Fishermen should standby for further announcements.

Effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used to fish for nonsalmon species.

A subsistence permit is required to fish for all species in portions of Subdistricts 5-C and 5-D from the western most tip of Garnet Island upstream to the mouth of Dall River (Dalton Highway bridge area). Subsistence harvest calendars and subsistence fishing permits are available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Fairbanks office (459-7274) or online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/.

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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.

Announcements will be shared on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YukonRiverFishingADFG

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