The Yukon River flows with our history, culture, and responsibility
The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (YRITFC) is a a tribal consortium representing member Tribal Governments and First Nations committed to defending salmon, our lifeways, and the future of our people. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and leadership, we work across generations and boundaries to ensure that salmon return to our waters—and to our communities—for generations to come.
Founded on tribal unity, the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission was formed for the health and wellbeing of our tribal members, our future generations, and all Alaskans and Canadians who rely upon the health of the fish.
Current Subsistence Management Actions by District or Subdistrict
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Coastal District, Districts 1 to 5, and the Innoko, Koyukuk, and Porcupine Rivers
Communities: Chevak, Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay, Nunam Iqua, Alakanuk, Kotlik, Emmonak, Mountain Village, Pitkas Point, St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, Marshall, Russian Mission, Holy Cross, Shageluk, Grayling, Anvik, Kaltag, Nulato, Koyukuk, Huslia, Hughes, Alatna, Allakaket, Bettles, Wiseman, Coldfoot, Galena, Ruby, Tanana, Rampart, Stevens Village, Beaver, Venetie, Chalkyitsik, Birch Creek, Fort Yukon, Circle, and Eagle
Management Actions:
Subsistence fishing for Chinook and chum salmon is closed. Fishing for nonsalmon and coho salmon remains open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with selective gear types including 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.
Gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh and manned fish wheels may be used from noon Thursdays, through noon Sundays, until further notice. Nets are restricted to 60-feet or less in length and must be operated as a set net near shore. Drift gillnets are not allowed.
Special notes:
A subsistence fishing permit is required for all species in the Koyukuk River above Bettles including the communities of Wiseman and Coldfoot. Gillnets in the permit area will not reopen until August 20.
A subsistence permit is required to fish for all species in portions of Subdistricts 5-C and 5-D from the westernmost tip of Garnet Island upstream to the mouth of Dall River (Dalton Highway bridge area) and from the upstream mouth of 22 Mile Slough to the U.S./Canada border.
In Birch Creek and the subsistence area of Beaver Creek below Moose Creek, gillnet mesh size may not exceed 4 inches.
Last updated: September 3, 2025
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Subdistricts 6-A, 6-B, Old Minto Area and the Kantishna River
Communities: Kantishna River drainage, Lake Minchumina, Manley, Minto, and Nenana
Management Actions:
Subsistence fishing for Chinook and chum salmon is closed. Fishing for nonsalmon and coho salmon remains open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with selective gear types including dip net, beach seine, hand line, longline, and fyke net. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.
Gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh and manned fish wheels may be used from noon Thursdays, through noon Sundays, until further notice. Nets are restricted to 60-feet or less in length and must be operated as a set net near shore.
Special notes:
In Lake Minchumina and the Tolovana River drainage, including Minto Flats subsistence fishing with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets for nonsalmon species remains open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. A subsistence pike permit is required.
Last updated: September 3, 2025
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Upper Tanana Area
Communities: Delta Junction area, Dot Lake, Tanacross, Tetlin, Tok, Northway, and Nabesna
Management Actions:
Currently, subsistence fishing for Chinook and chum salmon is closed.
Gillnets of 4-inch or smaller mesh and manned fish wheels may be used 24 hours a day, seven days per week, until further notice. Nets are restricted to 60-feet or less in length and must be operated as a set net near shore.
Fishing for nonsalmon with selective gear types, including dip net, beach seine, hand line, longline, and fyke net, remains open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Chinook, chum, and coho salmon must be released alive.
Special notes:
Fishermen are reminded that a subsistence permit is required to fish for salmon in the Tanana River drainage up to the Wood River (Subdistrict 6-A, 6-B, and Kantishna River drainage), northern pike in the Tolovana River drainage (including Minto Flats), and all species in the Upper Tanana Area. A subsistence salmon permit is not required in Lake Minchumina
Last updated: September 3, 2025
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6-inch or Smaller Mesh Gillnet Nonsalmon Opportunity in Designated Areas
Management Actions:
Subsistence fishing with set gillnets is open in rivers, sloughs, and lakes without a closed drainage flowing into them, until further notice. Set gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh and 60-feet or shorter in length. This is to provide an opportunity to harvest whitefish and other nonsalmon species. Gillnets cannot block more than ½ width of any waterway. Please see Fall Season Advisory Announcements #10-#15 for the named lists, GPS coordinates, and maps of these designated areas. Links to Advisory Announcements and maps are shared on the ADFG – Yukon River Fishing Facebook page.
Last updated: September 3, 2025