Federal closure for Chinook Salmon expired July 1

Effective 11:59 pm on July 1, 2019, all Federal restrictions on the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River will expire. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will manage fishing openings, closings, and fishing methods.

The Federal In-Season Manager’s escapement objective of 100,000 Chinook has been met and the implied harvest objective of 32,000 Chinook Salmon has been surpassed with an estimated harvest of 40,000 Chinook Salmon. The opportunities provided have provided more harvest than any of the previous years since Federal restrictions began. Subsequent subsistence fishing opportunity will not greatly diminish the final number of Chinook Salmon escaping to spawning grounds. Therefore, the Federal in-season manager has determined that there are no additional reasonable measures to conserve Chinook Salmon within Refuge waters.

Additional information on 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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This news release was issued June 29, 2019.