Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yukon

August 27, 2025

This is the last fishing report for the 2024 summer fishing season. For current seasonal information, please contact the Fairbanks office at (907) 459-7228.

Local conditions

• Sport fishing success is dependent on water levels and subsequent water clarity. Currently many Yukon River tributaries as well as the mainstem Yukon River are running high due to heavy precipitation, which is forecasted throughout the remainder of August. However, drier conditions will allow for the streams to lower and clear, especially for rapid rise headwaters streams along the Dalton, Steese, and Taylor Highways. The latest observations of water height in the Yukon River and associated tributaries can be found at the Alaska River Forecast Center.
• Currently road conditions for the Steese and Taylor Highways are rated fair to good; however, recent heavy rain has caused washouts on the Dalton Highway and closures have been implemented from MP 112 to MP 156 and Coldfoot and Wiseman are under flood warnings. Before driving these highways, check the current road conditions at Alaska 511 for the latest updates. Also, be aware the first 60 miles of the Taylor and 80 miles of the Steese Highways are paved, and the remaining sections are gravel. The Dalton Highway is a rough, industrial road that is mostly gravel and can have deep potholes. Expect delays crossing the Yukon River bridge at MP 56 due to redecking.
• During late summer and early fall, bears will be fattening up on berries in preparation for winter hibernation. Therefore, be especially alert when fishing near large berry patches. Here is some information on staying safe in bear country: Travelling in Alaska's Bear Country.
• Be aware for 2025 that the portion of Nome Creek Road off the Steese Highway that extends from the Nome Creek Bridge to the Ophir Creek Campground will be closed from 6 AM. to 7 PM on weekdays for road improvements and culvert replacement during May to October 2025. During the weekends, federal holidays, and moose hunting season (September 1-15), the road will be open; however, travelers should expect traffic delays. Parking at the Table Top Mountain Trail and at some road pullouts may also be restricted on Saturdays due to construction activities.
• Lastly, be aware in Interior Alaska that moose hunting season will begin on September 1 and depending on the location, will go to late September. When fishing where there could be hunters, be sure to wear bright colors.

Freshwater Fishing

Arctic grayling

• Arctic grayling will begin their fall migrations to overwintering areas in deeper water during mid to late September as the weather cools and water levels drop. Arctic grayling in streams along the Dalton Highway, which are further north than those along the Steese and Taylor Highways, will migrate to overwintering areas sooner.
• Nome Creek and the Ikhèenjik River (Birch Creek), which can be accessed from the Steese Highway, offer excellent fishing opportunities for Arctic grayling when the water is running at normal height and clear. Only catch-and-release fishing for Arctic grayling is allowed in Nome Creek, which is located within the White Mountains National Recreation Area. NOME CREEK IS RESTRICTED TO CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHING ONLY FOR ARCTIC GRAYLING.

• For those planning to float Birch Creek, be aware that during 2023 a potentially hazardous new river channel was discovered a few miles downriver from the Upper Birch Creek Wayside. Also, be aware that currently the lower Birch Creek take-out is closed due to fire activity as is the Nome Creek Road. Before beginning a float trip from the Upper to Lower Birch Creek Waysides, contact the Bureau of Land Management Fairbanks District office at 907-474-2200 for current conditions.
• Streams within the Fortymile River drainage and along the Dalton Highway, also afford good fishing opportunities when the streams are running clear.
• Popular gear used to capture Arctic grayling are shiny spoons when the streams are wide enough and colorful jigs for narrower streams and creeks. Mosquitos, mayflies, and other insects are numerous in interior Alaska and flies mimicking these would also be enticing to a hungry Arctic grayling.
• Watch our video How to Fish for Arctic grayling to learn what you will need to know to successfully target Arctic grayling.

Northern pike

• Similar to Arctic grayling, with the coming of autumn and cooler temperatures, northern pike will move to overwintering areas in lower river tributaries, lakes, or the mainstem Yukon River.
• Popular fishing locations for large northern pike are at the mouths of major tributaries that drain into the mainstem Yukon River such as the Dall, Ray, Nowitna, and Innoko Rivers, and Hess Creek. Once the confluences and mainstem Yukon River lower and clear from recent rain, northern pike fishing should improve.
• Popular lures that fishers have reported success in capturing northern pike include buzzbait, booyah, jitterbugs, shiny spoons, and shads. Northern pike have rows of sharp teeth, so be sure to bring pliers and a spreader in order to safely remove hooks, especially from larger fish.

Sheefish

• Sheefish spawn during late September and early October and are currently entering their spawning tributaries in the Sulukna [Nowitna], Innoko, and Alatna Rivers, and Yukon Flats. Prior to spawning, they will mill in back eddies and nearby river confluences (i.e. Porcupine River). Large, shiny and/or colorful spoons are popular lures for capturing sheefish such as crocodiles, pixies, and daredevils as well as various shads that mimic juvenile prey. Because female spawning sheefish will be gravid with thousands of eggs, please use proper catch-and-release techniques (see below) so to not cause undue stress and harm as it is important that they spawn the next generation.

Burbot

• Burbot become more active during fall and will feed and put on weight in preparation for late January and early February spawning. Most sport fishers target burbot with baited set lines that are fished on the bottom in slow-moving waters, often in back-eddies, and checked within 24 hours. Currently bait is not allowed in any of the Yukon River tributaries due to the closure of the king salmon fishery earlier this spring, but can be used in the mainstem Yukon River. Bait will be allowed in the Yukon River tributaries beginning on October 1, 2025. Information and videos on how to set line for burbot and later clean and fillet your catch can be found at: How to Set Line For Burbot.

King salmon

• Due to a preseason projection for a below-average king salmon run in the Yukon River, the sport fishery for king salmon was closed on March 31 throughout the Yukon River drainage, including the Tanana River. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. In addition, when fishing for other species, anglers may not use bait in Yukon River tributaries until October 1, 2025.
• Because king salmon runs in the Yukon River continue to experience historically low runs, including those crossing the border into Canada where approximately 40-50% of the salmon spawn, a 7-year agreement has been enacted to close Canadian-origin Yukon River Chinook salmon to all fishing, including subsistence, commercial, personal use, and sport fishing during 2024-2030. Currently, the 2025 king salmon run into the Yukon River has concluded and those crossing the Canadian border are at the midpoint. The 2025 king salmon run is fairly complete.

Chum salmon

• For summer chum salmon, the preseason forecast was for a run of sufficient size to meet spawning run goals. However, this run did not meet these goals. Therefore, as of July 9, the sport fishery for chum salmon was closed. Currently the fall chum salmon run is trending well-below the spawning run goals, so the sport fishery for chum salmon will remain closed for the rest of the 2025 season.

Coho salmon

• The primary parent year for the 2025 coho salmon run was from the lowest run on record in 2021 and the preseason forecast was for the run to be well-below average. However, so far, the run has exceeded expectations. However, because the parent year was so low, restrictions or closures to the sport fishery may be forthcoming. So, please check the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements prior to sport fishing for coho salmon as this sport fishery may close in the near future.

Emergency orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 3-KS-Y-01-2025 closes the Yukon River drainage excluding the Tanana River drainage, to sport fishing for king salmon.
• Emergency Order 3-CS-Y-13-2025 closes the Yukon River drainage excluding the Tanana River drainage, to sport fishing for chum salmon.

Catch-and-release techniques

• Because fish typically grow and reproduce more slowly at high latitudes and elevations, please use proper catch-and-release techniques to ensure the survival of the released fish such as:
  • Use lures with a single hook and crimp down the barb. Do not use bait.
  • Land the fish with a soft net and keep the fish in the water when removing the hook.
  • To release the fish, hold it gently facing into the current or in water without a current to gently cradle the fish and move it slowly back and forth until it swims away under its own power.

ADF&G News

You can purchase your fishing license through the ADF&G Online Store. Also, before heading out, be sure to review the Emergency Orders and the 2025 Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing.

For More Information

For moe information, please call Yukon Area Management Biologist Lisa Stuby at 907-459-7202.