Federal Fishing Announcement #6: Drift and Setnet Opportunities

Photo: Terese Vicente/ KRITFC

For Immediate Release: July 23, 2025

Contact: Spencer Rearden | (907) 621-6129, Spencer_Rearden@fws.gov

Kuskokwim River Mainstem Fishing Opportunities

Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge Manager, as In-Season Manager, hereby announces additional fishing opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users only:

In the Kuskokwim River main stem, from the Refuge boundary at the mouth of the Kuskokwim River to the Kalskag Line (see maps), drift or set gillnets will be allowed effective:

Drift/Set Gillnet

  • July 27, 2025 from 7:00 am to July 31, 2025 11:59 pm.

  • August 5, 2025 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm (12 hours).

  • Gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh and may not exceed 45 meshes in depth and 50 fathoms (300-feet) in aggregate (total set and drift gillnet) length below the Johnson River and 25 fathoms (150 feet) in aggregate (total set and drift gillnet) length above the Johnson River. All species of salmon may be retained during this opportunity. The salmon bearing tributaries, and the Aniak Box listed in FSA-YD-25- 01 will remain closed to all gillnets. When these harvest opportunities expire, Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River, downstream of the Kalskag line and to the mouth of the Kuskokwim River will return to closed to the use of drift gillnets by all users for the protection of Chinook, Chum and Coho Salmon.

In the Kuskokwim River drainage within the Refuge boundary, including all tributaries and the Aniak box (see maps), rod and reel fishing with the retention of all salmon will be allowed effective:

Rod and Reel:

  • July 27, 2025 at 7:00 am until further notice.

Fishing with gillnets above the Kalskag Line remains open until further notice (details stated in the 2025 Second Announcement released June 18, 2025).

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

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