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Districts Affected: Upper Yukon River
The 2009 Yukon River fall chum run has been assessed to be poor and the coho salmon run is average to above average. Similar to other districts, conservative management actions were taken in the Tanana River that reduced subsistence and personal use fishing in an effort to lower harvest and provide adequate abundance for escapement needs during the peak of the fall chum salmon run. September 12 is the average mid-point in the fall chum salmon run timing at Nenana. Assessment projects are currently indicating that Tanana River fall chum salmon abundance levels are expected to be more than adequate for escapement needs and can support additional harvest. Therefore, based on the Tanana River Salmon Management Plan, subsistence salmon fishing times will return to the standard schedules in Tanana River Subdistricts 6A, 6B, the Old Minto Area, and the Kantishna River.

Subdistricts 6A and 6B: Subsistence salmon fishing will open at 12:00 noon Monday, September 14 and close at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, September 16. Subsistence salmon fishing will then return to the regulatory schedule of two 42-hour periods per week beginning Friday, September 18. Periods will be open from 6:00 p.m. Fridays until 12:00 noon Sundays and from 6:00 p.m. Mondays until 12:00 noon Wednesdays.

Old Minto Area: Subsistence salmon fishing will open at 12:00 noon Monday, September 14 and close at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 16. Subsistence salmon fishing will then return to the regulatory schedule of open 5 days per week beginning Friday, September 18. Weekly periods will be open from 6:00 p.m. Fridays until 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays.

Kantishna River: Subsistence salmon fishing will open at 12:00 noon, Monday, September 14 and remain open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

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.

As a reminder, subsistence salmon fishermen intending to fish in the Tanana River must have a subsistence fishing permit in their possession. Permits may be obtained from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in Fairbanks. Also, subsistence fishing gear must be clearly marked with the fisherman’s name and address on the fish wheel or on a buoy attached to set gillnets and other unattended subsistence fishing gear.

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.