The Federal In-season Manager, pursuant to delegated authority from the Federal Subsistence Board under Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA Title VIII section 816), has issued an emergency special action (2-KS-02-22) closing Federal public waters (except for the Innoko River) of District 3, (which includes the communities of Russian Mission and Holy Cross and of the Yukon River to the harvest of Chinook and summer Chum salmon, effective 8 pm, Tuesday, June 7 until August 1.
The Innoko 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 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.”
This management action was taken in consultation with The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). 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 gill nets will be allowed under State and Federal regulations during salmon fishing closures; however, net length will be restricted to a maximum of 60 feet at the start of the season. If a 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.
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.
This news release was issued on June 2nd, 2022.
