Chum Salmon Fishing Closure In Yukon River Drainage

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

Yukon River Drainage Closed to Sport Fishing for Chum Salmon in State Waters

(Fairbanks) – To protect chum salmon during periods of low abundance, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing state waters of the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for chum salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2026. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for chum salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All chum salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The projected return of fall chum salmon is weak, and as a precautionary measure, subsistence and sport fisheries for fall chum salmon will close to attain spawning escapement and meet treaty obligations. Fall chum salmon begin entering the lower river in mid-to-late July. Approximately 15-20% of Yukon River fall chum salmon spawn in Canada, and these fish are managed through the Yukon River Salmon Agreement under the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The treaty requires a minimum number of fish to cross into Canada, and the 2026 run is anticipated to fall below treaty obligations. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that fall chum salmon escapement goals are projected to be achieved and subsistence opportunity in the Yukon River drainage is provided, sport fishing restrictions may be relaxed commensurate with run strength and subsistence restrictions.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Inseason Manager has issued special actions regulating the harvest of salmon for all users in Federal public waters of the Yukon River. Before you go fishing, please look up Yukon River Federal Special Actions at: Fisheries Special Actions:U.S. Department of the Interior or contact the USFWS Federal Yukon River Subsistence Fishery Manager, Holly Carroll; holly_carroll@fws.gov, (907) 351-3029, or Assistant Manager, Keith Herron; keith_herron@fws.gov, (907) 334-5391.

For additional information, contact Lisa Stuby, Yukon Area Management Biologist, at (907) 459-7202 or lisa.stuby@alaska.gov.