Yukon River King Salmon Sport Fishery Closing

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

YUKON RIVER KING SALMON SPORT FISHERY CLOSED 

(Fairbanks) – The 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 11, 2020. All king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The 2020 preseason forecast (144,000–220,000 king salmon) indicates that the Yukon River king salmon run may be below average (1995–2019 average was 225,000 fish), and preseason restrictions to the subsistence fishery are needed to ensure adequate escapement in order to meet treaty obligations for Canadian origin fish. Therefore, preseason closure of sport fishing for king salmon in the Yukon River drainage is warranted. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that the actual run will reach the upper end of the forecast and a majority of the king salmon escapement goals and subsistence needs in the Yukon River drainage will be met, sport fishing restrictions will be relaxed relative to the actual run.

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