Effective July 11, 2019, the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River) king salmon sport fishery will reopen with a bag and possession limit of one fish 20 inches or greater in length, and an annual limit of one fish 20 inches or greater in length.

The Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan directs the department to manage for the sustained yield of Yukon River king salmon. This plan directs the sport fishery in the Yukon River drainage to be managed in coordination with the commercial and subsistence fisheries. Sport fishing restrictions necessary for conservation purposes correspond to the level of king salmon abundance. On May 11, 2019 the department closed the king salmon sport fishery in response to a below average run forecast and subsequent restrictions to subsistence fisheries. However, a greater than anticipated number of king salmon have passed the Pilot Station Sonar, which has resulted in a return to the full regulatory subsistence fishing schedule and the opportunity for king salmon caught incidentally in the chum salmon commercial fishery to be sold. With the better than anticipated king salmon run, the department is justified in lifting the preseason sport fishing closure and providing some minimal king salmon harvest opportunity.

For additional information contact Lisa Stuby, Yukon Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7202.

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