(Fairbanks) – Due to a preseason forecast for a below-average king salmon run, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, February 19. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing, in all waters of the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage). King salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. These restrictions are in effect through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

King salmon stocks in the Yukon River drainage continue to experience historically low productivity. Approximately 40-50% of Yukon River king salmon spawn in Canada and these fish are managed through the Yukon River Salmon Agreement, which requires a minimum of 42,500 king salmon to cross into Canada to ensure adequate numbers for spawning. This minimum number has not been achieved since 2019. Border passages in 2023, 2024, and 2025 were 14,752, 24,183, and 23,863 king salmon, respectively, and were the second, third, and fourth lowest on record. Due to the persistent low runs of Canadian-origin king salmon that have failed to meet conservation objectives, an agreement between the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has closed the mainstem Yukon River to all directed commercial, sport, and personal use fisheries until at least 2030 as part of a stock rebuilding plan. Alaskan king salmon stocks have not fared any better. The 2025 cumulative king salmon count at the Pilot Station sonar, consisting of both Alaskan and Canadian king salmon stocks, was 60,442 fish and was the fourth lowest count recorded at the project, and about 38% of the average annual passage of 157,615 fish (2005-2024). The 2024 cumulative king salmon count at the Pilot Station sonar of 64,198 was the fifth lowest.

For 2026, Canadian king salmon stocks are again anticipated to fall below treaty obligations and Alaska king salmon stocks are not anticipated to meet escapement goals. Therefore, a preseason closure of sport fishing for king salmon in the Yukon River drainage is required to help protect these fish and comply with the international treaty agreement between Alaska and Canada. For additional information contact Lisa Stuby, Yukon Area Management Biologist at 907-459-7202 or lisa.stuby@alaska.gov.

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