Reminder of current Chinook (king) salmon and summer chum salmon fishery closures in Yukon River District 3 and the Innoko River drainage. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has extended conservation closures in the Yukon River drainage due to very low projected Chinook and summer chum salmon returns.
Read Announcement: https://www.doi.gov/subsistencenewsgeneral/bulletin-yukon-area-salmon-fishery-closure-district-3
District 3
Effective: Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Area: Yukon River District 3, including the community of Russian Mission
Restrictions:
No directed fishing for Chinook or summer chum salmon
No fish wheels allowed
Gillnets limited to ≤4-inch mesh and ≤60 ft length, set near shore only
Fishing for pink salmon, sockeye salmon, and non-salmon species allowed with selective gear
Selective gear includes dip nets, beach seines, and hook and line gear for pink salmon, sockeye salmon, and non-salmon species
Any Chinook or summer chum salmon caught alive must be released
Dead fish may be retained
Innoko River Drainage
Effective: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Area: Entire Innoko River drainage
Restrictions:
No directed fishing for Chinook or summer chum salmon
No fish wheels allowed
Gillnets limited to ≤4-inch mesh and ≤60 ft length, set near shore only
Fishing for pink salmon, sockeye salmon, and non-salmon species allowed with selective gear
Selective gear includes dip nets, beach seines, and hook and line gear for pink salmon, sockeye salmon, and non-salmon species
Any Chinook or summer chum salmon caught alive must be released
Dead fish may be retained
Additional Information
Full conservation closure affecting all users, including subsistence fishing
Limited harvest of other species may continue under selective gear rules
Additional restrictions (including further gillnet limits) may be implemented later in the season as closures may expand upriver
Expected run strength:
Chinook: ~64,000 (well below needed levels)
Summer chum: ~345,000 (below minimum escapement goal)
Escapement goals are unlikely to be met, indicating serious conservation concerns
Contact:
Holly Carroll, USFWS Yukon River Manager — (907) 351-3029
More info: DOI Subsistence