Reminder of upcoming Chinook (king) salmon and summer chum salmon fishery closures in Yukon River Subdistrict 4-A. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is continuing upriver 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-subdistrict-4

Subdistrict 4-A (Upper)

Upper Subdistrict 4-A (Kaltag, Nulato, Koyukuk)
Kaltag, Alaska
Nulato, Alaska
Koyukuk, Alaska

• Effective: Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

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 as closures expand upriver

• Expected run strength:

  • Chinook: ~64,000 (below needed levels)

  • Summer chum: ~345,000 (below 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