(Fairbanks) ­– To protect returning coho salmon during periods of low abundance, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for coho salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 22 through Tuesday, December 31, 2024. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for coho salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All coho salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Estimated passage of coho salmon past the Pilot Station sonar through August 19, 2024, was 10,935 fish, which is well below the median cumulative count of 47,651 and is one of the lowest counts on record to date. Therefore, closure of the coho salmon sport fishery is warranted to help protect spawning escapement.

Reminder: Sport fishing for chum and king salmon in the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) remains closed. Similar to coho salmon, the chum and king salmon runs have been poor. In addition, the use of bait in all Yukon River tributaries (excluding the Tanana River drainage) is prohibited through September 30, 2024.

For additional information, contact Lisa Stuby, Yukon Area Management Biologist at (907) 459-7202.

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