Yukon, Tanana Rivers’ Coho Salmon Sport Fisheries Closed

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

(Fairbanks) – To protect returning coho salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for coho salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 26, 2021. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for coho salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All coho salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Estimated passage of coho salmon past the Pilot Station sonar through August 23, 2021 was 12,160, which is well below the median cumulative count of 80,346, and the lowest cumulative count on record for this date. The closure of the coho salmon sport fishery is warranted throughout the entire Yukon River drainage, excluding the Tanana River, to ensure adequate spawning escapement.

Reminder: sport fishing for chum salmon in the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) also remains closed. Similar to coho salmon, the chum salmon run is trending to be the lowest on record.

For additional information, please contact Lisa Stuby, Yukon Area Management Biologist at (907) 459-7202

Tanana River Coho Salmon Sport Fishery Closed

(Fairbanks) – To protect returning coho salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for coho salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 26, 2021. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for coho salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All coho salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Estimated passage of coho salmon past the Pilot Station sonar through August 23, 2021, was 12,160, which is well below the median cumulative count of 80,346, and the lowest cumulative count on record for this date. The closure of the coho salmon sport fishery is warranted throughout the entire Tanana River drainage to ensure adequate spawning escapement.

Reminder: sport fishing for chum salmon in the Tanana River drainage is also closed. Similar to coho salmon, the chum salmon run is trending to be the lowest on record.

For additional information, contact Andrew Gryska, Tanana Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7339.