(Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Tanana River drainage (which includes the Chena, Salcha, and Goodpaster Rivers) to sport fishing for king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2022. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. King salmon may not be targeted and those caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The 2022 Yukon River drainage king salmon run was expected to be weak, and the preseason forecast was for a drainagewide run size of 99,000–150,000 king salmon. Inseason data on run strength and timing indicate it is weak and late. A conservative management approach is being taken to protect the 2022 king salmon run. Subsistence and personal use fishing have been or will be closed within the Yukon River drainage, including the Tanana River drainage.

Closing the Tanana River king salmon sport fisheries is warranted in order to meet the king salmon escapement goals on the Chena and Salcha Rivers and is consistent with the conservation measures being taken in the Yukon and Tanana River drainage subsistence and personal use fisheries in 2022.

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

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