Third Announcement For Federal Fishing Opportunities
Photo by Amanda Hoeldt.
For Immediate Release: June 25, 2026
Contact Information: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
Kuskokwim River Main Stem Fishing Opportunities
Download this announcement as a PDF by clicking here.
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 downstream of the Kalskag Line (see maps), set gillnets will be allowed effective:
June 27, 2026 from 12:00 (noon) pm to June 28, 2026 12:00 (noon) pm (24 hours).
July 2, 2026 from 12:00 (noon) pm to July 3, 2026 12:00 (noon) pm (24 hours).
Set gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh, may not exceed 45 meshes in depth, and 75 feet in length. All species of salmon may be retained during these opportunities. The salmon-bearing tributaries and the Aniak Box listed in TSA-04-KSCS-26-01 will remain closed to all gillnets. 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.
Fishing with drift and set gillnets above the Kalskag Line; and fishing with rod and reel within the Aniak Box remains open until further notice (details stated in the 2026 Second Announcement released June 17, 2026).
Justification: Kuskokwim River Sonar Chinook Salmon counts remain low and near 38% of the run has passed the sonar. Therefore, driftnet fishing opportunities, which can have higher harvest rates, are likely not justified when trying to meet the upper end of the current escapement goal range. Set net opportunities, which typically allow less than 1,000 Chinook Salmon to be harvested per opportunity for this time of year (based on past harvest estimates), are anticipated to allow subsistence users to target abundant Sockeye Salmon, while conserving Chinook and Chum Salmon. Sockeye salmon are known to travel close to the riverbank in shallow waters where set nets are typically set, whereas other species travel in deeper waters typically far from the bank.
These management actions were decided on in consultation 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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