Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River will be opened for 12 Hours on June 1 to the Harvest of Chinook Salmon with 6-inch set gillnets by Federally Qualified Subsistence Users

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces one 12-hour set gillnet opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users identified in the Section 804 subsistence user prioritization analysis, which includes residents of the Kuskokwim River drainage and the villages of Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Kongiganak, to harvest Chinook Salmon on Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main stem, except for the waters of the Kuskokwim River mainstem referred to as the Aniak Box (see 3-KS-03-19) on June 1, 2019.  The start time and end time for this opportunity is from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. 

05/29/2019
Last edited 01/25/2022
Contact Information
Ray Born 
(907) 543-3151 or (800) 621-5804
Salmon tributaries of the Kuskokwim within the boundaries of the Refuge, including the Eek, Kwethluk (starting at its confluence with the Kuskokuak Slough), Kasigluk, Kisaralik, Tuluksak, and Aniak rivers will remain closed to fishing for Chinook Salmon, as will the Old Kuskokuak Slough where the Kisaralik and Kasigluk drain (to protect Chinook bound for the Kasigluk and Kisaralik Rivers). 
 
The following restrictions apply in the mainstem Kuskokwim River: 
  • Set gillnets ONLY, must be attached to the bank and oriented perpendicular to the river;
  • 6-inch or less mesh;
  • May not exceed 45 meshes in depth;
  • May not exceed 60 feet in length in the water;
  • May not be operated more than 100 feet from the ordinary high water mark
Other means and methods (rod and reel, dipnets, fish wheels, and beach seines) remain open to harvest of all fish, including Chinook Salmon in the mainstem Kuskokwim River. 
 
This harvest opportunity is to provide for the continuation of subsistence uses of Chinook Salmon that are critical to cultural and traditional needs.  While the Chinook run is expected to be smaller than average, it is strong enough to allow this limited opportunity for a taste of Chinook Salmon for Federally qualified subsistence users during the early portion of the season.
 
This limited opportunity has been implemented by Federal Emergency Special Action (3-KS-04-19) under the delegated authority of the Federal Subsistence Board.
 
Access up-to-date information on fishing opportunities by calling 907-543-1008 or visit the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge Facebook page or www.fws.gov/refuge/yukon_delta/. 
Questions? call the Refuge at (907) 543-3151 or at (800) 621-5804. 
 
Additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska. 
 
Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing fws-fsb-subsistence-request@lists.fws.gov. 
 
 
####
 

Was this page helpful?

Please provide a comment