Norton Sound - Port Clarence Management Area Area
Subsistence Fishing

Salmon

Salmon occur throughout the Norton Sound - Port Clarence Area. Subsistence salmon fishing is open to Alaska residents only. Subsistence salmon fishing permits are required when fishing in Norton Sound District waters from Cape Douglas to Bald Point (which includes Nome, Solomon, Council, White Mountain, Golovin, and Elim). Subsistence salmon fishing permits also are required in all waters of the Port Clarence District (which includes Brevig Mission and Teller). Subsistence salmon fishing permits are not required in the remainder of the Norton Sound District (which includes Koyuk, Shaktoolik, Unlakleet, St. Michael, and Stebbins).

Subsistence salmon fishing with nets is normally open:

• Four days a week in the Nome area (Subdistrict 1) from June 15 through August 31
• Four days a week in southern Norton Sound (Subdistrict 5 & 6) from June 15 through July 15
• Four days a week in the Unalakleet River from June 15 through July 15
• Seven days a week elsewhere in the Norton Sound - Port Clarence Area

Fishing schedules may be altered at any time by emergency order. 5 AAC 01.160 Check the Nome or Unalakleet ADF&G offices for fishing schedules, permits, salmon harvest limits, and other information. Commercial fishermen may not fish for subsistence purposes during weekly closures of commercial salmon fishing. Salmon harvest limits and legal mesh sizes vary by area and by species. These limitations will be specified on your subsistence fishing permit.

Legal subsistence gear includes set gill net, drift gill net, seine net, fish wheel, dip nets, and other gear specified in 5 AAC 01.170. Mesh sizes are limited in certain areas at certain times. Rod and reel are legal subsistence gear in Northern Norton Sound, from Cape Prince of Wales to Bald Head (between Elim and Koyuk). 5 AAC 01.172 If you want to take salmon for personal or family use in Southern Norton Sound, you must have a sport fishing license.

Be aware that certain waters along the Nome road system area closed to subsistence fishing to protect spawning salmon, including upstream portions of the Nome, Sinuk, Solmon, Snake, Flambeau, Eldorado, and Bonanza rivers, except when subsistence fishing with a hook and line attached to a rod or pole. 5 AAC 01.175

Customary trade (limited, non-commercial exchange of subsistence-taken fish for cash) is permitted in the Norton Sound-Port Clarence Area. A person who intends to sell subsistence-taken fish must first obtain a customary trade record keeping form from the ADF&G. Customary trade is limited to no more than $500 per year per household. 5 AAC 01.188

Non-Salmon

The Nome and Solomon rivers are closed to subsistence fishing for Arctic grayling. 5 AAC 01.175 Otherwise, subsistence fishing for non-salmon species is allowed throughout the Norton Sound-Port Clarence Area. Fish other than salmon may be taken et gill net, drift gill net, seine net, fish wheel, dip nets, jigging gear, and other gear specified in 5 AAC 01.170. Rod and reel are legal subsistence gear in Northern Norton Sound, from Cape Prince of Wales to Bald Head (between Elim and Koyuk). 5 AAC 01.172 If you want to take salmon for personal or family use in Southern Norton Sound, you must have a sport fishing license.

Check the Nome or Unalakleet ADF&G offices for fishing schedules, permits, salmon harvest limits, and other information.

Customary trade (limited, non-commercial exchange of subsistence-taken fish for cash) is permitted in the Norton Sound-Port Clarence Area. A person who intends to sell subsistence-taken fish must first obtain a customary trade record keeping form from the ADF&G. Customary trade is limited to no more than $500 per year per household. 5 AAC 01.188.