Reminder of current Chinook (king) salmon and summer chum salmon fishery closures in the Yukon River Coastal District, District 1, and District 2. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) implemented these conservation closures in portions of the Yukon River drainage due to very low projected Chinook and summer chum salmon returns.
Read annoncement here:https://www.doi.gov/subsistencenewsgeneral/bulletin-yukon-area-gillnet-closure-coastal-district-district-1-and-district
Coastal District & District 1
Effective: Monday, June 1, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Area: From the Naskonat Peninsula north to Point Romanof, including the Black River and the communities of Chevak, Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay, Emmonak, Nunam Iqua, Alakanuk, and Kotlik.
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 is 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
District 2
Effective: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Communities: Mountain Village, Pitkas Point, St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, and Marshall
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 is 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 as closures expand upriver
Expected run strength:
Chinook: ~64,000 (well below needed levels)
Summer chum: ~345,000 (below escapement goals)
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