2021 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement # 21 Fall Update # 9, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery Districts Affected: Yukon Area

The Yukon River fall chum and coho salmon runs are the lowest on record. The fall chum salmon run is approximately 102,000 fish compared to a historical run size of 870,000 fish based on median timing. The coho salmon run is approximately 37,000 fish compared to a historical run size of 240,000 fish. Both the fall chum and coho salmon runs are nearly done entering the Yukon River. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the run size did not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence, personal use or commercial fishing. The drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives are not expected to be achieved

09/24/2021
Last edited 09/24/2021
Contact Information

Christy Gleason, Area Management Biologist

Bonnie Borba, Fall Season Research Biologist

(907) 459-7274

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

In Fairbanks fishing schedule hotline: 459-7387

Fall chum salmon typically take 39 days to migrate from the mouth of the Yukon River to the U.S./Canada border, with estimated travel rates of 35 miles per day. The last identified fall chum salmon group that entered the Yukon River on September 3 should be approaching the U.S./Canada border around October 12. Monitored water levels and water temperatures are near average and should not adversely affect salmon migration.

The coho salmon run came in late and was extremely weak. Coho salmon are smaller fish than fall chum salmon and typically travel about 30 miles per day. Small numbers of coho and fall chum salmon will continue to enter the Yukon River throughout September.

View Full News Release: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/dcfnewsrelease/1335706319.pdf

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