2025 Fishing Season Openers

Kuskokwim River openers

Set gillnet:

• July 2, 2025 from 7:00 am to July 3, 2025 7:00 pm (36 hours)
• July 7, 2025 from 7:00 am to July 8, 2025 7:00 pm (36 hours)

Set gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh, may not exceed 45 meshes in depth, and 75 feet in length. All species of salmon may be retained during this opportunity. The salmon bearing tributaries and the Aniak Box listed in FSA-YD-25- 01 will remain closed to all gillnets. When this harvest opportunity expires, Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River, downstream of the Kalskag Line 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.

Starting Thursday, June 19 @ 12:01 PM, until further notice:

• Kalskag Line: Federal waters from the Kalskag Line (between Uknavik Slough and the Kalskag bluff) to Aniak will open 24/7 to subsistence drift and set gillnet fishing. Gillnets can be up to 6" mesh, 45 meshes deep, and 150 feet long.
  
• Aniak Box Rod and Reel: Subsistence rod and reel fishing in federal waters of the Aniak Box will open with the following bag limits.
  
  • Chinook salmon over 20 inches: 2 per day, 2 in possession.
    
  • Chinook salmon under 20 inches ("jacks): No limit.
    
  • Sockeye, pinks, and non-salmon species: No limit.
    
  • Chum and coho salmon: May not be retained; must be returned to the water alive.
• Federal waters of the Aniak Box remain closed to fishing with gillnets, fish wheels, beach seines, and dip nets.

Sections 4 and 5 (refuge boundary near Aniak to headwaters)

Beginning Thursday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m., drift and set gillnet fishing is open 24/7 for all species of salmon until further notice. Gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh and must not exceed 50 fathoms (300 feet) in length and 45 meshes in depth. Additionally, all salmon may be retained using legal gear including fish wheels, dip nets, beach seines, and hook and line.

In state waters of the Aniak River and in the Aniak Box (see map below), fishing with drift and set gillnets is closed. Subsistence fishing with hook and line gear for chinook salmon is also closed, while all chinook caught using fish wheels, beach seines, and dip nets must be returned to the water alive.

District 4, Quinhagak

Subsistence fishing gillnets will be restricted to 6-inch or less mesh size not exceeding 50 fathoms in length and 45 meshes in depth; effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 1 until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Fishing is closed on Sundays during this period, and only one gillnet may be operated per boat.

Yukon River salmon closures

Coastal District and District 1 (from the Naskonat Peninsula north to Point Romanof which includes the Black River and the communities of Chevak, Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay, Emmonak, Nunam Iqua, Alakanuk, and Kotlik):

All gillnet fishing is currently closed; 4-inch and smaller mesh nets may not be used until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

District 2 (including Mountain Village, Pitkas Point, St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, and Marshall):

All gillnet fishing is currently closed; 4-inch and smaller mesh nets may not be used until 8 p.m. Saturday, July 5.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

District 3 (including Russian Mission and Holy Cross):

All gillnet fishing is currently closed; 4-inch and smaller mesh nets may not be used 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

Innoko River (including Shageluk):

All gillnet fishing is currently closed; 4-inch and smaller mesh nets may not be used until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 10.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

Subdistrict 4-A Lower (from 3⁄4 of a mile downstream from Old Paradise Village upstream to Stink Creek, including Grayling and Anvik):

All gillnet fishing is currently closed; 4-inch and smaller mesh nets may not be used until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 10.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

Subdistrict 4-A Upper (from Stink Creek upstream to the tip of Cone Point, including Kaltag, Nulato, and Koyukuk):

Salmon fishing is closed. Fishing for nonsalmon is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 4-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and other nonsalmon gear types.

Effective 8 p.m. Friday, June 27 until 8 p.m. Monday, July 14, all gillnets must be removed from the water.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

Subdistricts 4-B and 4-C (including Galena and Ruby):

Salmon fishing is closed. Fishing for nonsalmon is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 4-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and other nonsalmon gear types.

Effective 8 p.m. Sunday, June 29 until 8 p.m. Wednesday July 16, all gillnets must be removed from the water.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

Koyukuk River (including Huslia, Hughes, Allakaket, Alatna, Bettles, Wiseman, and Coldfoot):

Salmon fishing is closed. Fishing for nonsalmon is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days per week with 4-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and other nonsalmon gear types.

Effective 8 p.m. Sunday, June 29 until 8 p.m. Wednesday July 16, all gillnets must be removed from the water.

Fishing for nonsalmon is still allowed, but it is limited to nonlethal or selective gear types. Pink and sockeye salmon may be retained. Chinook and chum salmon must be released alive.

A subsistence fishing permit is required for all species in the Koyukuk River above Bettles including the communities of Wiseman and Coldfoot. Gillnet gear in the permit area must be 31⁄2 inches or smaller mesh size. Fishing with gillnets in the permit area will close at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 29 and will not reopen until August 20.