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Districts Affected: Upper Yukon River
The 2009 Yukon River fall chum salmon run is assessed to be poor and subsistence fishing time has been reduced throughout the river in an effort to achieve escapement goals. A portion of the large second pulse of fall chum salmon has passed the Sheenjek River sonar project which is projecting that the total passage will be near the minimum escapement goal range of 50,000 fish, based on a run timing of 5 days late. Another portion of the second pulse is past the Eagle sonar project and late run timing indicates the season total may range from 60,000 to 80,000 fall chum salmon. Based on current escapement projections, subsistence fishing time in Subdistrict 5D is being returned to the standard fishing schedule of 7 days per 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): Beginning 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, subsistence fishing for salmon will be open 7 days per week.

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 fishing for salmon will close at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 22. Subsistence fishing for salmon will then open at 8:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, on a 7-day per week fishing schedule for the remainder of the season.

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.

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.