Photo Courtesy of Titiana Albrite
For immediate release: July 6, 2026
Contact Information: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
Kuskokwim River Main Stem Fishing Opportunities
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Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) In-Season Manager, hereby announces gillnet fishing opportunities downstream of the Kalskag line to the mouth of the Kuskokwim River at the Refuge boundary (see maps) for Federally qualified subsistence users only:
Set Gillnet:
July 7, 12:00 pm (noon), to July 8, 12:00 pm (noon; 24 hours).
Set gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh, may not exceed 45 meshes in depth, and 75 feet in length.
Drift and/or Set Gillnet:
July 10, 12:00 pm (noon), to July 11, 12:00 pm (noon; 24 hours).
During this opportunity, 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.
The salmon-bearing tributaries and the Aniak Box listed in TSA-04-KSCS-26-01 will remain closed to all gillnets and all species of salmon may be retained during these opportunities. When each 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 and Chum Salmon.
Justification: Nearly 74% of the Chinook Salmon and 28% of the Chum Salmon have passed the Kuskokwim River Sonar and Sockeye Salmon are now in high abundance. Fishing effort at this point in the season is anticipated to be reduced and these harvest opportunities likely will have little impact on meeting escapement goals for Chinook and Chum Salmon.
These management actions were decided on in consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
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.
Missing out on the latest federal subsistence issues? To receive email updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov.
