Federal Fishing Announcement #2: Gillnet Fishing, Kalskag Line, and Aniak Box Rod & Reel

Federal Fishing Announcement #2: Gillnet Fishing, Kalskag Line, and Aniak Box Rod & Reel

Photo by Celia Williams.

For Immediate Release: June 18, 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:

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

  • June 21, 2025 from 07:00 am through 07:00 pm.

  • June 24, 2025 from 07:00 am through 07:00 pm.

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 this harvest opportunity expires, 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 gillnets by all users for the protection of Chinook, Chum and Coho Salmon.

(2) Kalskag Line: Defined as starting from an imaginary line between the south edge of Uknavik Slough (Lat. 61° 20’ 22”; Long. -160° 36’ 49”) direct to the edge of the Kalskag bluff (Lat. 61° 20’ 18”; Long. -160° 35’ 44”). In the Kuskokwim River main stem upstream of this line to the lower boundary of the Aniak Box (see map and description below), drift and set gillnets will be allowed effective:

  • June 19, 2025 at 12:01 pm until further notice.

Gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh and may not exceed 45 meshes in depth and 25 fathoms (150-feet) in aggregate (total set and drift gillnet). All species of salmon may be retained during this opportunity.

(3) Aniak Box: Defined as the waters of the Kuskokwim River near Aniak, from a line between two points (Lat. 61° 35’ 37”ʹ, Long. -159° 33’ 16” and Lat 61° 35’ 16”, Long -159° 33’ 28”) upstream to a line formed between two other points (Lat. 61° 34’ 58”, Long. 159° 31’ 03” and Lat. 61° 34’ 43”, Long. 159° 31’ 06”), which is approximately the upstream boundary of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (see map). This area will remain closed to fishing with gillnets, fish wheels, beach seines, and dip nets until further notice. Fishing with rod and reel within the Aniak Box will be allowed effective:

  • June 19, 2025 at 12:01 pm until further notice, with the following bag limits:

    • Chinook Salmon:

      • Under 20 inches (as measured from the mid eye to the tail fork) may be retained with no bag or possession limits.

      • Over 20 inches (as measured from the mid eye to the tail fork) may be retained with a 2 per day, 2 in possession limit.

    • Sockeye Salmon, Pink Salmon, and non-salmon species:

      • May be retained with no bag or possession limits.

    • Chum and Coho Salmon:

      • May not be retained and must be retuned to the water alive and unharmed.

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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