(Fairbanks) – To protect chum salmon during periods of low abundance, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for chum salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 16 through Tuesday, December 31, 2024. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for chum salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. Chum salmon may not be targeted and those caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. As a reminder, sport fishing for king salmon is closed and the use of bait is prohibited in all tributaries of the Tanana River through September 30.

The number of fall chum salmon counted by the Pilot Station sonar is well-below the historical median and is projected to fall below the lower end of the escapement goal of 300,000. As of August 12, an estimated 123,524 fall chum salmon were counted past the Pilot Station sonar, compared to historical median of 347,698. In accordance with the Yukon River Drainage Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 01.249) when the projected run size of fall chum salmon is 300,000 fish or less, the commercial, personal use, and sport fish directed chum fisheries will be closed. Closing the Tanana River chum salmon sport fisheries is warranted throughout the entire Tanana River drainage to protect spawning escapement and is consistent with the conservation measures being taken in the Yukon and Tanana River drainage subsistence and personal use fisheries. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that chum salmon escapement goals and subsistence needs in the Yukon River drainage will be met, sport fishing restrictions may be relaxed commensurate with run strength.

For additional information contact Andrew Gryska, Tanana Area Management Biologist, (907) 459-7339 or andrew.gryska@alaska.gov.

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