Effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2019 sport fishing for coho salmon in all flowing waters of the Delta Clearwater River drainage, including the Delta Clearwater Lake drainage is closed. Additionally, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used while fishing for other species.

The Delta Clearwater River coho salmon sport fishery is managed using inseason escapement data. The fishery management objective is to achieve an escapement that falls within the Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) range of 5,200 – 17,000 fish. Escapement is monitored from late September through November 1, when peak counts have historically occurred.

Based on preliminary survey counts in an 8-mile index area of the Delta Clearwater River, the coho salmon run is not projected to achieve the lower end of the SEG of 5,200 fish. The number of fish counted during each of three surveys from September 24 through October 7 was below 1,000 fish. Several lower river test fisheries in the Yukon River also have projected a below average coho salmon run. Due to these indicators of a poor coho salmon run, a closure of the coho salmon sport fishery is warranted.

For additional information contact Heather Scannell, Tanana River Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7357.

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