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Districts Affected: Upper Yukon River
The Pilot Station sonar passage estimate through September 2 for fall chum salmon is approximately 223,000 fish, which is well below the average of 659,000 for this date. The estimated coho salmon passage is approximately 193,000, which is above the average of 142,000 fish. The fall chum salmon run has not materialized as expected with the current sonar passage estimate being the lowest on record 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 to achieve a run size greater than 300,000 fish. Furthermore, run assessment and genetic information indicate that the upper Yukon River fall chum salmon tributary stocks will be weak.

Therefore, based on the fall chum management plan, subsistence fishing time is being reduced in the Yukon River in an effort to achieve escapement goals. Subsistence salmon fishing dates and times, in Lower Subdistrict Y-5D below 22-Mile Slough, will be reduced for two weeks on the following schedule of one 4 ½ day period each week:

Lower Subdistrict Y-5D (Includes that portion of the Yukon River from 2 miles below Waldron Creek to 22-Mile Slough including the Porcupine River and the communities of Stevens Village, Beaver, Venetie, Chalkyitsik, Birch Creek, and Fort Yukon): Subsistence fishing will close at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 6. Subsistence salmon fishing will then reopen at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9 and close at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13. The second subsistence period will open at 8:00 am Wednesday, September 16 and will close at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 20. On Wednesday, September, 23 the subsistence fishery will return to the 7 day per week schedule.

Upper Subdistrict Y-5D (Includes that portion of the Yukon River from 22 Mile Slough below Circle to the US/Canada Border above Eagle): Subsistence salmon fishing is currently open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. However, fishermen in this area should anticipate similar reduced fishing times to be implemented next week.

Subsistence fishermen are reminded that a fishing permit is required for all species of fish in that portion of Subdistrict Y-5D from approximately 2 miles downstream of Waldron Creek upstream to the Dall River and from the upstream mouth of 22-Mile Slough to the US/Canada Border. Subsistence fishermen in all other areas of Subdistrict Y-5D are encouraged to fill out their subsistence salmon catch calendars.

All subsistence fishing for salmon must be stopped during subsistence salmon fishing closures. Subsistence fishing for non-salmon species is open 7 days per week 24 hours per day throughout the drainage. During subsistence salmon fishing closures, gillnets used for harvesting non-salmon species are restricted to a maximum mesh size of 4-inches and 60 feet in length and fish wheels may not be used.

For a recording of the current fishing schedule for your area call toll free1-866-479-7387. If you have any questions regarding this report, please call the Fairbanks office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at 459-7274 or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office at 455-1849.

This has been an announcement by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.