Kalskag Line Opens and Next Federal Fishing Opportunity

Photo by Megan Leary.

After consultation with KRITFC’s In-Season Managers on June 19, 2023, Yukon Delta NWR released the following fishing announcement for Federally qualified subsistence users on the Kuskokwim. Read and download the entire announcement here.

Subsistence Fishing Opportunities for Kuskokwim River Mainstem

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2023

Contact: Boyd Blihovde | (907) 543-3151 | Boyd_Blihovde@fws.gov

Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge Manager, as In-Season Manager, hereby announces additional fishing opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users:

(1) Kalskag Line Opener: Downstream of Kalskag, at the south edge of Uknavik Slough, then due east to the edge of the Kalskag bluff line and upstream to the downstream boundary of the Aniak Box (as described in FSA-YD-23-01). This portion is open to the use of gillnets, by Federally qualified subsistence users beginning June 20, 2023 at 12 pm, until further notice. Subsistence users are allowed to use gillnets with 6-inch or less mesh which may not exceed 45 meshes in depth; 25 fathoms (150 feet) in length. All salmon may be retained in this section of the river.

(2) Lower Kuskokwim Fishing Opportunity for Federally Qualified Subsistence Users: In the Kuskokwim River main stem, from the mouth of the Kuskokwim River to the Refuge boundary at the edge of Uknavik Slough and due east to the Kalskag Bluff line, drift and set gillnets will be allowed effective June 23, 2023 from 07:00 am through 07:00 pm for Federally qualified subsistence users. 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. Federally qualified subsistence users may retain all salmon during this opportunity. The salmon bearing tributaries listed in FSA-YD-23-01 will remain closed to all gillnets for all salmon and all methods and means for Chinook, Chum, and Coho salmon to all users during this gillnet period. When this harvest opportunity expires, Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River, downstream of Kalskag Bluffs 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, Chum and Coho Salmon.

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? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing fws-fsb-subsistence-request@lists.fws.gov.

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