Kuskokwim River Mainstem Fishing Opportunities - Federal Subsistence Board News Release

Press Release

Kuskokwim River Mainstem Fishing Opportunities - Federal Subsistence Board News Release

Jul 11, 2024

Media Contacts

Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) Manager, as In-Season Manager, hereby announces five gillnet fishing opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users only downstream of the Kalskag Bluffs and Uknavik Slough (Kalskag Line) to the mouth of the Kuskokwim River at the Refuge boundary (see maps).

Gillnet (Drift and/or set):

July 12, 2024 from 12:00 (noon) pm to July 13, 2024 12:00 (noon) pm (24 hours)
July 19, 2024 from 12:00 (noon) pm to July 20, 2024 12:00 (noon) pm (24 hours)
July 26, 2024 from 12:00 (noon) pm to July 27, 2024 12:00 (noon) pm (24 hours)

During these three opportunities, gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh and may not exceed 45 meshes in depth and 50 fathoms (300-feet) in aggregate (total set and drift gillnet) length below the Johnson River and 25 fathoms (150 feet) in aggregate (total set and drift gillnet) length above the Johnson River.

Set gillnet only:

July 16, 2024 from 12:00 (noon) pm to July 17, 2024 12:00 (noon) pm (24 hours)
July 23, 2024 from 12:00 (noon) pm to July 24, 2024 12:00 (noon) pm (24 hours)

During these two opportunities, gillnets are restricted to set gillnets with 6-inch or less mesh, 75 feet or less in length, and may not exceed 45 meshes in depth. Additionally, set gillnets must be attached to the bank, oriented perpendicular to the river and may not be operated more than 100 feet from the ordinary high-water mark.

All species of salmon may be retained during these opportunities. The salmon bearing tributaries and the Aniak Box listed in FSA-YD-24- 01 will remain closed to all gillnets. When each of these harvest opportunities expire, Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River, downstream of the Kalskag Bluffs and Uknavik Slough (Kalskag Line) to the mouth of the Kuskokwim River at the Refuge Boundary (see maps), will return to closed to the use of gillnets by all users for the protection of Chinook, Chum and Coho Salmon.

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing fws-fsb-subsistence-request@lists.fws.gov.

A map of the Kuskokwim River from about 18 miles south of Eek to Tuluksak. A blue line outlines areas on both sides of the river the entire length shown. The line indicates that fishing is closed unless opened for gillnet fishing. Areas stretching from the river's south east edge up to Eek and further East., and north at Kwethluk and south east and north east are closed to all means and methods for Chinook, Chum and Coho salmon. A blue line boundary south west of Napakiak stretches across the river. (Cont.)

Image Details

A map of the middle Kuskokwim River from about 3 miles downriver of Tuluksak up to Aniak and down river east past Aniak. A blue line outlines areas on both sides of the river the entire length shown and says that fishing is closed unless opened for gillnet fishing from Tuluksak to Aniak. A blue line boundary downriver from Lower Kalskag and about 20 miles north of Tuluksak with arrows pointing to both sides of the shore. The left arrow leads to text: Kalskag line. Degree Minutes Seconds. (Cont.)

Image Details

1011 East Tudor Road MS-121 • Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199 • subsistence@fws.gov • (800) 478-1456 / (907) 786-3888
This document has been cleared for public release #15102092018.