Federal Management Rescinds on August 7, 2025, at Noon
Photo by Kristen Maxie.
View the pdf of this Temporary Special Action here.
Notice to Rescind Salmon Fishing Restrictions within Federal Waters of the Kuskokwim River Drainage
TEMPORARY SPECIAL ACTION under authority of 36 CFR 242.10 and .19 and 50 CFR 100.10 and .19
Temporary Special Action No: FSA-YD-25-02
Issued at: Bethel, AK, August 6, 2025 | Effective Date: August 7, 2025, 12:00 PM
This Federal Special Action (FSA-YD-25-02) rescinds all previous salmon fishing restrictions announced in FSA-YD-25-01 within Federal waters of the Kuskokwim River Drainage. The Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) Manager, in partnership with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC), determined that Federal management for the conservation of Chinook, Chum, and Coho is no longer needed in 2025.
The closure of Federal public waters throughout the Kuskokwim River drainage to the use of gillnets and harvest of Chinook, Chum, and Coho Salmon began on June 1, 2025. This decision was based on conservation concerns and to prioritize Federally qualified subsistence users through the provisions of Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and delegation of authority letter from the Federal Subsistence Board. The YDNWR manager and the KRITFC announced limited fishing opportunities to balance the needs of conservation and subsistence users. Decisions were based on run-strength data and input from local subsistence users, including Local and Traditional Knowledge.
Chinook and Chum Salmon runs were considered past the lower Kuskokwim River (where most harvest occurs) in July whereas the Coho Salmon run mostly occurs in August. Early in August, during the early stages of the run, precautionary measures were used and fishing opportunities were limited to ensure adequate numbers made it to the Kogrukluk River, where there is a monitoring project with an escapement goal. By August 6, YDNWR and KRITFC determined the 2025 Coho Salmon run is likely to meet conservation goals and to potentially meet the needs of subsistence users, thus lifting the need for Federal management through the remainder of the season.
Federal Subsistence Board by delegation to:
Spencer Rearden
Kuskokwim River In-Season Manager
Delta National Wildlife Refuge
DISTRIBUTION:
Anthony Christianson, Chair, Federal Subsistence Board
Jack Reakoff, Chair, Western Interior Subsistence Regional Advisory Council
Jacqueline Cleveland, Chair, Yukon-Kuskokwim Subsistence Regional Advisory Council
Sara Boario, Regional Director, Alaska Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Jill Klein, Interagency Staff Committee
Crystal Leonetti, Office of Subsistence Management
Benjamin Mulligan, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Sam Decker, Kuskokwim Area Management Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Martin Andrew, Chair, Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission