On May 12, 2025, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) Manager, Spencer Rearden, issued Temporary Special Action (TSA) FSA-YD-25-01. This TSA announces closures in federal waters of the Kuskokwim River (from the mouth of the river to Aniak) starting June 1, 2025. 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.
2024 End-of-Season Summary
2024 Seventh Season Announcement for Kuskokwim River Mainstem Fishing Opportunities.
Kuskokwim River Mainstem Fishing Opportunities
Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) Manager, as In-Season Manager, hereby announces five gillnet fishing opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users within the Federal waters of the YDNWR in the Kuskokwim River mainstem.
Kuskokwim Temporary Special Action: Federal Waters Closed to Gillnets and Chinook, Chum, and Coho Harvests
Public Hearing for 2024 Federal Salmon Management Announced
The Fisheries Manager at the at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR), in coordination with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC), proposes to close Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River drainage to the harvest of Chinook, Chum, and Coho Salmon by all users starting June 1, 2024. A public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed special action is scheduled for May 15, 2024.
2023 End-of-Season Summary
Kalskag Line Opens and Next Federal Fishing Opportunity
Federal Fishing Closure and Early June Harvest Opportunities Announced
In consultation with KRITFC, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) Manager determined that Federal management and closures necessary for the conservation and the continuation of subsistence uses for Chinook, Chum, and Coho Salmon within the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River drainage. Early June harvest opportunities with set and drift gillnets were announced.
Public Hearing on Kuskokwim Salmon Fishing Closure
The Fisheries Management staff at the at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR), in coordination with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC), proposes to close Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River drainage to the harvest of Chinook, Chum, and Coho Salmon by all users starting June 1, 2023. Harvest opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users may be announced during this closure. The public is encouraged to provide comments to the Federal Manager on the proposed closure.