(Palmer) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is restricting the Upper Yentna subsistence fishery to Wednesdays and Fridays each week during the month of June, effective 4:00 a.m. Monday, June 3 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2019. This fishery is located in the mainstem of the Yentna River from Martin Creek upstream to the confluence with the Skwentna River.

This fishery restriction follows two sport fishing emergency orders issued on January 7, 2019, closing the Susitna and Little Susitna rivers to king salmon fishing. Those sport fisheries were closed in anticipation of a run size less than experienced in 2017 and 2018, when nearly all escapement goals were missed. In addition, the Northern District commercial king salmon fishery will also be closed. Therefore, restricting the Upper Yenta subsistence fishery to two periods per week, helps to share the burden of conservation across all user groups while recognizing a subsistence priority.

“Preseason forecasts for the Cook Inlet king salmon fishery suggests another weak return of king salmon this season. Preseason conservation measures are being taken by all user groups and across the state,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “The Cook Inlet king salmon is just one fishery ADF&G is taking preseason measures by restricting or closing the fisheries, in order to, ensure the greatest number of wild king salmon returning to the rivers to spawn.”

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6334.

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