The Alaska Department of Fish and Game released a Yukon River Subsistence fishing announcement, Thursday July 3.

This year, the Chinook and summer chum salmon runs are both below average and unable to provide any surplus for harvest.

The summer chum run is currently projected to fall short of the drainagewide escapement goal and no further openings are anticipated.

Chinook and chum salmon fishing remains closed throughout the entire Yukon River drainageand all gillnets must be removed from the water.

At the following locations and dates, gillnets with 4-inch or smaller mesh may be used to target nonsalmon but are restricted 60-feet or less in length and must be operated as a set net near
shore.

In District 3 Holy Cross:
8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8

In the Innoko River (including Shageluk):
8 p.m. Thursday, July 10

In Subdistrict 4-A Lower (including Grayling and Anvik):
8 p.m. Thursday, July 10.

Subsistence fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed with non-lethal or selective geartypes. This includes: hook and line with a rod or pole, dip net, beach seine, hand line, longline, and fyke net. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

As a reminder, gillnets must be marked with a float or buoy that has the fisherman’s first initial, last name, and address.

Call the Fairbanks or Emmonak fish and game off with any questions.

The subsistence fishing schedule is available 24 hours per day by calling toll free 1(866) 479-7387. Federal special actions are in place and federal closures align with this announcement. You may contact Holly Carroll at 907-351-3029 for more information.