(Fairbanks) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for chum salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 1, 2021. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for chum salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All chum salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The estimated passage of summer chum salmon past the Pilot Station sonar through June 28, 2021, was 30,949, which is well below the median cumulative count of 517,857, and the lowest cumulative count on record for this date. The 2021 run is anticipated to be below the lower bound of the in-river escapement goal of 500,000 - 1,200,000, or if the lower bound is achieved, provide limited surplus fish for harvest. Subsistence and personal use fishing for chum salmon is currently closed, and closure of the chum salmon sport fishery is warranted throughout the entire Tanana River drainage to ensure spawning escapement.

For additional information, contact Andrew Gryska, Tanana Area Management Biologist, at 907-459-7339.

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