Yukon River Closing To King Salmon Sport Fishing

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

Yukon River King Salmon Sport Fishery Closed 

(Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game – Division of Sport Fish is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2021. All king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The 2021 preseason forecast is for a drainagewide run size of 102,000–189,000 king salmon. In past seasons, a run of this size has resulted in reduced subsistence fishing opportunity and a failure to achieve treaty obligations for Canadian-origin king salmon. In 2020, with a higher king salmon run forecast, drainagewide escapement goals were not met despite harvest restrictions or closures in all Yukon River fisheries. Therefore, a preseason closure of sport fishing for king salmon in the Yukon River drainage is warranted. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that king salmon escapement goals and subsistence needs in the Yukon River drainage will be met, sport fishing restrictions may be relaxed commensurate with run strength.

For additional information, contact Lisa Stuby, Yukon Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7202.