Photo by Alicia Fisher.
Second Announcement: Federal Kuskokwim River Main Stem Fishing Opportunities
For immediate release: June 17, 2026
Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge In-Season Manager announces additional fishing opportunities for federally qualified subsistence users only:
Lower Kuskokwim Fishing Opportunity: Within Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main stem, drift and set gillnets will be allowed effective:
June 22, 2026 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 04-KSCS-26-01 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 and Chum Salmon.
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”; see maps). 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, 2026 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.
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, 2026 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, Coho Salmon, and non-salmon species:
May be retained with no bag or possession limits.
Chum Salmon:
May not be retained and must be returned to the water alive and unharmed.
Justification: Sonar counts of Chinook Salmon and harvest to date have been relatively low when compared to recent years. However, it is too early to determine run strength with certainty. The announced drift/set net opportunity is to occur after 5 days of closure from the last opener and closures will have been in place for 86% of the time (based on hours) for the June 1 – June 21 time. The June 22 drift/set net opportunity is considered reasonable to balance the needs of federally qualified subsistence users and conservation.
Fishing effort and the amount of salmon harvested above the Kalskag Line is likely insignificant due to the limited fishing locations and the number of people that live and fish in the area.
Few federally qualified subsistence users utilize rod and reel fishing gear to harvest salmon within the Aniak Box. Bag limits with size limitations should ensure low harvest on large productive Chinook salmon.
These management actions were decided on with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
The temporary special action, 04-KSCS-26-01, can be found online at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/fisheries-special-actions.
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.
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