(Fairbanks) ­– To protect returning coho salmon during periods of low abundance, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for coho salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 31, 2023. This This closure prohibits all sport fishing for coho salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All coho salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Estimated passage of coho salmon past the Pilot Station sonar through August 28, 2023, was 28,862 fish, which is well below the median cumulative count of 109,947, and is the second lowest on record to date. Therefore, closure of the coho salmon sport fishery is warranted to help protect spawning escapement.

Reminder: Sport fishing for chum salmon in the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) remains closed. Similar to coho salmon, the chum salmon run has been poor. In addition, sport fishing for king salmon is closed and the use of bait in all Yukon River tributaries (excluding the Tanana River drainage) is prohibited through September 30, 2023.

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

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