Federal Waters of Subdistrict 5-D of the Yukon River Closed to Subsistence Salmon Fishing

Federal public waters of Yukon River Subdistrict Y 5-D Lower (from an ADF&G regulatory marker two miles downstream of Waldron Creek upstream to the Hadweenzic River and all other adjacent tributaries, including the communities of Stevens Village and Beaver) are

closed to the subsistence harvest and retention of Chinook and summer Chum salmon from 8:00 p.m. on June 25, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. on August 23, 2022.

Federal public waters of Yukon River Subdistrict Y 5-D Middle (from the Hadweenzic River upstream to 22 Mile Slough, including the Porcupine River and all other adjacent tributaries, including the communities of Venetie, Chalkyitsik, and Fort Yukon) are closed to the subsistence harvest and retention of Chinook and summer Chum salmon from 8:00 p.m. on June 28, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. on August 23, 2022.

Federal public waters of Yukon River Subdistrict Y 5-D Upper (from 22 Mile Slough to the U.S./Canada border and including all adjacent tributaries,) are closed to the subsistence harvest and retention of Chinook and summer Chum salmon from 8:00 p.m. on June 30, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. on August 23, 2022.

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 Alaska Department of Fish and Game (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 dip net, 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. Fishery special actions are posted here: Fisheries Special Actions | U.S. Department of the Interior (doi.gov)  (https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/fisheries-special-actions)

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.

The map below shows District 5 Federal public waters (yellow shaded areas) of the Yukon Drainage.