State Management Action: Coho Salmon Subsistence Closures

Photo by Terese Schomogyi/KRITFC.

On Monday, August 15, 2022, the State of Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) announced Kuskokwim River-wide closures for subsistence fishing for coho (silver) salmon. If you are a subsistence fisher on the Kuskokwim, here’s what you need to know.

Emergency Order Closure Information

Closure by ADF&G Emergency Order #3-S-WR-7-22.

Closure Start: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 12:01 a.m.

Closure End: Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

Location: Entire Kuskokwim River and tributaries from mouth to headwaters (ADF&G Subsistence Sections 1–5).

Management Agency: ADF&G.

Why is the closure in place? According to Bethel Test Fish, Bethel sonar, and weir data, the coho salmon run is coming in very poorly and appears to be the lowest run on record. “Inseason assessment at this time indicates that the coho salmon escapement goals at the Kwethluk River weir and Kogrukluk River weir will not be met.” Our Tribal In-Season Managers agree with this assessment of a very poor coho salmon run and the need for conservation of the species.

What is CLOSED for subsistence fishing?

Gillnets (set or drift), fish wheels, beach seines, and dip nets in all flowing waters of the Kuskokwim main stem and tributaries.

Hook and line (rod and reel) for coho salmon in all flowing and non-flowing waters of the Kuskokwim main stem and tributaries. (For example: You can still rod and reel for pike, whitefish, and other non-coho salmon species, but if you catch a coho salmon, you must release it alive.)

Note: ADF&G Sport Fish Division has also closed sport fishing for coho salmon in the entire Kuskokwim River drainage, effective the same day as subsistence closures.

What is OPEN for subsistence fishing?

Gillnets (set or drift), fish wheels, beach seines, and dip nets in non-flowing waters of the Kuskokwim main stem and tributaries – such as lakes, ponds, backwaters, and oxbows – targeting whitefish, pike, and non-coho salmon species. (For example: You can still set a net for whitefish if you set it in a slack water area, like a lake.)

Gillnets (set or drift), fish wheels, beach seines, and dip nets fished 100-yards upstream in Gweek, Johnson, Kialiq, Kinak, Tagayarak, and Eenayarak (non-salmon bearing tributaries ). (For example: You can still set a net for whitefish and retain any salmon incidentally caught up one of these tributaries.)

More Information

To get more information or voice your thoughts, you can:

• Attend the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group public meeting, held by ADF&G weekly on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Dial 1-800-315-6338 and enter passcode 58756# (KUSKO#).

• Contact ADF&G Area Biologists Nick Smith at 907-267-2379 or Ross Rennick at 907-543-2331.