Photo courtesy of: Marilyn Egoak
Kuskokwim River Federal Public Waters Closed to Gillnets and the Harvest of Chinook and Chum Salmon
On May 20, 2026, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) Manager, Spencer Rearden, issued Temporary Special Action (TSA) 04-KSCS-26-01. This TSA closes federal waters of the Kuskokwim River (from the mouth of the river to Aniak) to fishing with gillnets and to the harvest of Chinook and chum salmon starting June 1, 2026, until July 31, 2026, or further notice. This allows our YDNWR-KRITFC team to evaluate the Chinook, chum, and coho salmon runs as they come in and prioritize rural subsistence fishing opportunities.
The explanation included with 04-KSCS-26-01 is as follows:
The Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) Manager has determined that Federal management is necessary for conservation, and for the continuation of subsistence uses for Chinook and Chum Salmon within the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River drainage in 2026. The closure of Federal public waters to the use of gillnets and the harvest of Chinook and Chum Salmon beginning June 1 is based on conservation concerns and the need to provide subsistence harvest opportunities throughout the Kuskokwim River drainage.
The details in the 2026 TSA, and the way in which this TSA sets the stage for the YDNWR-KRITFC co-management process, are very similar to past recent salmon seasons.
Read the full TSA here. In summary, as part of this TSA, unless otherwise announced, starting June 1:
The use of set and drift gillnets of all mesh sizes and lengths on the main stem Kuskokwim from the mouth of the river to Aniak, closes to fishing. People may fish with gillnets in the mainstem and any tributaries until June 1, 2026.
Salmon spawning tributaries (Eek, Kwethluk, Kasigluk, Kisaralik, Tuluksak, Aniak rivers) closes to fishing.
The Aniak Box area closes to fishing.
Non-salmon spawning tributaries (Pailleq Slough, Tagayaraq, Qinaq, Kialik, Johnson, Gweek) remain open to gillnet fishing 100 yards upstream from where they meet the Kuskokwim.
Federally qualified subsistence users (year-round residents of Kuskokwim communities) may use dip nets, beach seines, fish wheels, and rod/reel on the mainstem Kuskokwim throughout the season and retain all salmon species. Only sockeye salmon may be retained using these alternative gear in the tributaries.
Our Tribal-federal management team meets regularly before and during the salmon season. We anticipate fishing opportunities for federally qualified subsistence users (year-round residents of Kuskokwim communities) throughout the season. As these opportunities are announced, they will be distributed via:
Email and fax
KRITFC's weekly river-wide teleconference (Tuesdays @ 10am)
KYUK Fish Talk (Mondays @ 1pm)
The YDNWR Fish Info phone line: 907-543-1008
For more information or with questions, please reach out to Kevin Whitworth, KRITFC Executive Director (kevinwhitworth@kritfc.org or 907-574-0388) or Spencer Rearden, YDNWR Manager (907-543-1023).