Yukon, Tanana, Kuskowim-Goodnews Chum Salmon Fishing Closed

The following press releases are courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Yukon River Drainage Closed to Sport Fishing for Chum Salmon

(Fairbanks) – To protect chum salmon in periods of low abundance, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for chum salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023. 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. A concurrent management action for king salmon prohibits the use of bait in all Yukon River tributaries.

Chum salmon stocks throughout western Alaska continue to trend at or below goals for run size. The preseason forecast for Yukon River summer chum salmon is 557,000, which will be near the lower bound of the drainagewide escapement goal range of 500,000–1,200,000 fish. According to the Yukon River Summer Chum Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 05.362(c)), when the projected run size of summer chum salmon is 650,000 fish or less, the commercial, personal use, and sport fisheries for summer chum salmon will be closed. Closures or restrictions to the subsistence fishery are anticipated. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that chum 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 at 907-459-7202 or lisa.stuby@alaska.gov.

Yukon River Drainage Closed to Sport Fishing for Chum Salmon

(Fairbanks) – To protect chum salmon in periods of low abundance, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for chum salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023. 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. A concurrent management action for king salmon prohibits the use of bait in all Yukon River tributaries.

Chum salmon stocks throughout western Alaska continue to trend at or below goals for run size. The preseason forecast for Yukon River summer chum salmon is 557,000, which will be near the lower bound of the drainagewide escapement goal range of 500,000–1,200,000 fish. According to the Yukon River Summer Chum Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 05.362(c)), when the projected run size of summer chum salmon is 650,000 fish or less, the commercial, personal use, and sport fisheries for summer chum salmon will be closed. Closures or restrictions to the subsistence fishery are anticipated. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that chum 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 at 907-459-7202 or lisa.stuby@alaska.gov.

Kuskokwim-Goodnews Chum Salmon Sport Fishery Closed

(Fairbanks) – To protect chum salmon in periods of low abundance and provide future sport fishing opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the entire Kuskokwim–Goodnews Area to sport fishing for chum salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023. This area includes the Kuskokwim River and the Kuskokwim Bay drainages such as the Kanektok, Goodnews, and Arolik Rivers. 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. A previous management action for king salmon allows only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures to be used in the entire Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area.

Catch rates for chum salmon at the Bethel Test Fishery have been chronically low for many years. The 2021 test fishery catch was the lowest on record, with 2022 not far behind. Indications are that the 2023 Kuskokwim River chum salmon run will be similar to the previous two years. Therefore, a sport fishing closure in the Kuskokwim–Goodnews Area is warranted to ensure escapement.

The department will closely monitor run strength of chum salmon. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that most of the chum salmon escapement goals in the Kuskokwim River and Kuskokwim Bay tributaries will be met, restrictions may be relaxed.

For additional information contact John Chythlook, Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Management Biologist at 907-459-7361 or john.chythlook@alaska.gov.