Federal Waters of Subdistrict 4-A of the Yukon River Closed to Subsistence Salmon Fishing

This emergency special action also closes the Federal public waters of subdistrict 4-A upper (from Stink Creek upstream to the tip of Cone Point, including Kaltag, Nulato, and Koyukuk except for the Koyukuk River) of the Yukon River to the harvest of Chinook and summer Chum salmon, effective 8 pm, Wednesday, June 15 until August 1.

The Koyukuk River will be closed by a later emergency special action, based on salmon migration timing, in order to provide fishing opportunity for Sheefish and other large non-salmon species before salmon arrive.

This action is being taken because the 2022 Yukon River Chinook and summer Chum salmon runs are forecasted to be poor with little to no harvestable surplus available for subsistence uses.

ANILCA allows for the closure to subsistence uses “to assure the continued viability of a particular fish or wildlife population.” The current management strategy follows consultation with Yukon River Tribal Governments and the ADF&G fishery managers. The Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Chairs for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta; Eastern Interior; Seward Peninsula; and Western Interior Regional Advisory councils were also notified, and review was provided by the Office of Subsistence Management

ADF&G managers have implemented salmon fishing closures effective for the non-Federal public waters of these areas at the same time. Fishing for non-salmon species with 4-inch or smaller mesh gillnets will be allowed under State and Federal regulations during salmon fishing closures; however, net length is restricted to a maximum of 60 feet. If a Chinook or Chum salmon is caught in 4-inch mesh gillnets, it should be released alive if possible, or if dead, may be kept. If fishermen are encountering salmon in a particular area, they should move their net and avoid areas where salmon are running. Other non-salmon gear types, including hook and line, longline, jigging gear, hand line, beach seine, fyke net, spear, or lead may be used to fish for non-salmon species all year, even during

salmon fishing closures, but all Chinook and summer Chum salmon caught must be released alive from these gears. Pink Salmon or Sockeye Salmon may be retained in these gears if caught. Fish wheels may not be operated during salmon fishing closures.

For additional information concerning Yukon River Federal Special Actions contact Yukon River Federal Manager Holly Carroll at (907) 351-3029.

Information about 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.

For information concerning State management actions, contact Yukon River Summer Season Manager, Deena Jallen in Fairbanks at (907) 459-7274 or in Emmonak at (907) 949-1320.

Map 1 shows the boundaries for subdistrict 4-A lower and upper (courtesy of ADF&G). Map 2 shows District 4 Federal public waters (yellow shaded areas) of the Yukon Drainage.

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