Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yukon

August 29, 2024

Local conditions

After numerous rain showers during August, rapid-runoff streams such as Nome Creek and the Ikhèenjik River (Birch Creek), which can be accessed from the Steese Highway, are running clear. Difficult driving conditions continue for the Dalton Highway as the August rains along with truck traffic servicing Prudhoe Bay has created large potholes. Also, there is extensive roadwork being conducted on the Elliott Highway to the start of the Dalton Highway at Milepost 73. Therefore, expect to drive slowly and expect flagging and pilot car operations. Road conditions on the Steese Highway are good to fair and that for the Taylor Highway are fair. You can check the current road conditions at Alaska 511.

During late summer and early fall, bears will be fattening up on berries in preparation for winter hibernation. So, be especially alert when fishing near large berry patches. Here is some information on staying safe in bear country: Traveling in Alaska's Bear Country.

Lastly, be aware in Interior Alaska that moose hunting season will begin on September 1 and depending on the location, will go to late September. When fishing where there could be hunters, be sure to wear bright colors.

Freshwater Fishing

Arctic grayling

• Arctic grayling will begin their fall migrations to overwintering areas in deeper water during mid to late September as the weather cools and water levels drop. Arctic grayling in streams along the Dalton Highway, which are further north than those along the Steese and Taylor Highways, will migrate to overwintering areas sooner.
• Nome Creek and the Ikhèenjik River (Birch Creek), which can be accessed from the Steese Highway, offer excellent fishing opportunities for Arctic grayling when the water is running at normal height and clear. Nome Creek is located within the White Mountains National Recreation Area. NOME CREEK IS RESTRICTED TO CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHING ONLY FOR ARCTIC GRAYLING. Streams within the Fortymile River drainage and along the Dalton Highway also afford good fishing opportunities when the streams are running clear.
• Popular gear used to capture Arctic grayling are shiny spoons when the streams are wide enough and colorful jigs for narrower streams and creeks. Mosquitos, mayflies, and other insects are numerous in interior Alaska and flies mimicking these would also be enticing to a hungry Arctic grayling.
• Watch our video How to Fish for Arctic grayling to learn what you will need to know to successfully target Arctic grayling.

Northern pike

• Similar to Arctic grayling, with the coming of autumn and cooler temperatures, northern pike will move to overwintering areas in lower river tributaries, lakes, or the mainstem Yukon River.
• Popular fishing locations for large northern pike are at the mouths of major tributaries that drain into the mainstem Yukon River such as the Dall, Ray, Nowitna, and Innoko Rivers, and Hess Creek. Despite August rain, the mainstem Yukon River is currently flowing at normal river height.
• Popular lures that fishers have reported success in capturing northern pike include buzzbait, booyah, jitterbugs, shiny spoons, and shads. Northern pike have rows of sharp teeth, so be sure to bring pliers and a spreader to safely remove hooks, especially from larger fish.

Sheefish

• Sheefish spawn during late September and early October and are currently entering their spawning tributaries in the Sulukna [Nowitna], Innoko, and Alatna Rivers, and Yukon Flats. Prior to spawning, they will mill in back eddies and nearby river confluences (i.e. Porcupine River). Large, shiny and/or colorful spoons are popular lures for capturing sheefish such as crocodiles, pixies, and daredevils as well as various shads that mimic juvenile prey. Because female spawning sheefish will be gravid with thousands of eggs, please use proper catch-and-release techniques (see below) so to not cause undue stress and harm as it is important that they spawn the next generation.

Burbot

• Burbot become more active during fall and will feed and put on weight in preparation for late January and early February spawning. Currently bait is not allowed in any of the Yukon River tributaries due to the closure of the king salmon fishery earlier this spring but can be used in the mainstem. Bait will be allowed in the Yukon River tributaries beginning on October 1, 2024. Most sport fishers target burbot with baited set lines that are fished on the bottom in slow-moving waters, often in back-eddies, and checked within 24 hours.

Salmon

King salmon

• Due to poor runs, the sport fishery for king salmon will remain closed for the remainder of 2024. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. In addition, when fishing for other species, anglers may not use bait in Yukon River tributaries. The king salmon run into the lower Yukon River is complete.

Chum salmon

• The summer chum salmon run was of sufficient size to meet spawning run goals. However, currently the fall chum salmon run is well-below average. As a result, the sport fishery for chum salmon closed on August 16. If inseason stock assessment indicates that spawning run goals and subsistence needs in the Yukon River will be met, sport fishing restrictions may be relaxed commensurate with run strength.

Coho salmon

• The coho salmon run is trending to be one of the lowest on record. As a result, the sport fishery for coho salmon closed on August 22.

Emergency orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 3-KS-Y-1-2024 closes the Yukon River drainage excluding the Tanana River drainage, to sport fishing for king salmon.
• Emergency Order 3-CS-Y-17-2024 closes the Yukon River drainage excluding the Tanana River drainage, to sport fishing for chum salmon.
• Emergency Order 3-SS-Y-19-2024 closes the Yukon River drainage excluding the Tanana River drainage, to sport fishing for coho salmon.

Catch-and-release techniques

• Because fish typically grow and reproduce more slowly at high latitudes and elevations, please use proper catch-and-release techniques to ensure the survival of the released fish such as:
  • Use lures with a single hook and crimp down the barb. Do not use bait.
  • Land the fish with a soft net and keep the fish in the water when removing the hook.
  • To release the fish, hold it gently facing into the current or in water without a current to gently cradle the fish and move it slowly back and forth until it swims away under its own power.

ADF&G News

You can purchase your fishing license through the ADF&G Online Store and print it off at home. Also, before heading out, be sure to review the Emergency Orders and the 2024 Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing.

For More Information

For more information, please call Yukon Area Management Biologist Lisa Stuby at 907-459-7202.