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Districts Affected: Upper Yukon River
The Pilot Station sonar passage estimate through September 1 for fall chum salmon is approximately 218,000 fish, which is well below the average of 658,000 fish for this date. The estimated coho salmon passage is approximately 190,000, which is above the average of 139,000 fish for this date. The fall chum salmon run has not materialized as expected with the current sonar passage estimate being the lowest on record for this date since 1995. The Yukon River Drainage Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan specifies a minimum drainage wide escapement goal of 300,000 fall chum salmon. With over 80% of the fall chum salmon run typically in the Yukon River by this date, it is becoming less likely of achieving a run size greater than 300,000 fish with each passing day. Furthermore, the Tanana River fall chum salmon stocks are anticipated to be weak based on run assessment and genetic information.

Therefore, based on the current abundance and in accordance with the management plan, subsistence fishing time is being reduced in the Tanana River in an effort to achieve escapement goals. Subsistence salmon fishing dates and times, in Subdistricts 6A and 6B including the Old Minto Area and the Kantishna River, will be reduced to the following schedule of two 28-hour periods each week:

Subdistricts 6A and 6B: Subsistence salmon fishing will close at 12:00 noon Wednesday, September 2. Subsistence salmon fishing will then reopen at 12:00 noon Friday, September 4, on a reduced fishing schedule of two 28-hour periods per week. Periods will be open from 12:00 noon Fridays until 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and from 12:00 noon Mondays until 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays. This reduced schedule also includes the Old Minto Area and the Kantishna River.

Subdistrict 6C: Personal use salmon fishing in the Tanana River is currently closed and will remain closed until further notice.

Subsistence fishing for salmon must be stopped during subsistence salmon fishing closures. Subsistence fishing for non-salmon species, such as whitefish, sheefish, and pike, remains open 7 days per week throughout the drainage. During subsistence salmon closures, gillnets used for harvesting non-salmon species are restricted to a maximum mesh size of 4-inches and fish wheels may not be operated.

For a recording of the current fishing schedule for your area call toll free 1-866-479-7387 or in Fairbanks 459-7387. If you have any questions regarding this report, please call the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in Fairbanks at 459-7274.

This has been an announcement by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.