Catch-And-Release Restrictions For Piledriver Slough And Moose Creek

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

(Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is restricting Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek to catch-and-release fishing for all fish species, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, April 1, 2021. All fish species caught in Piledriver Slough or Moose Creek may not be retained and must be released immediately (catch-and-release only).

Since 2019, several waterbodies in and around the Eielson Air Force Base groundwater contamination plume have had surface waters tested that exceeded EPA and DEC drinking water action levels of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for the sum of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Additionally, fish caught in Kimberly and Polaris Lakes and Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek have been found to be contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, and to remain consistent with recent management actions taken on contaminated stocked lakes (Bathing Beauty Pond, Bear and Moose Lakes) in the area, Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek are being restricted to catch-and-release fishing.

Fortunately, there are numerous waterbodies located around the Fairbanks area that provide the opportunity to harvest fish. Anglers can reference the Tanana River Management Area website to explore fishing opportunities. For a listing of the stocked lakes in the Tanana River drainage anglers can reference pages 41-42 of the 2021 Northern Sport Fishing Regulation Summary Book (alaska.gov) or call the Fairbanks office of ADF&G at (907) 459-7207.

For additional information contact Heather Scannell, Tanana Area Management Biologist, (907) 459-7357.

For information specific to groundwater and surface water contaminants for the Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek area, please contact the Department of Environmental Conservation, or visit these two links: Contaminated Sites Eielson Air Force Base and PFAS Fact Sheet Fish Kimberly Lake.

Data from fish collected at Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek is available on DEC’s Environmental Health Division, Fish Monitoring Program website: Fish Contaminant Data (alaska.gov).

For information specific to human health and fish consumption, please contact Sarah Yoder, Environmental Public Health Program Manager, (907) 269-8054.