Federal fisheries managers have announced the first five openers of the 2026 Kuskokwim River salmon fishing season.
The management strategy for waters within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR), from the mouth upriver to Aniak, is nearly identical to the previous two years. Through mid-June, that will include three set net-only opportunities followed by a pair of drift and/or set gillnet openers. The key difference this year is that managers will not be restricting the harvest of coho, or silver salmon.
The opportunities are limited to federally qualified subsistence users, which includes full-time residents of all Kuskokwim River communities. All chinook and chum salmon caught may be retained during the following Kuskokwim River mainstem openers:
Set gillnet:
- Tuesday, June 2 from 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 5 from 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 9 from 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
During these three opportunities, gillnets are restricted to set gillnets, which must be 6-inch or less mesh, 75 feet or less in length, and not exceed 45 meshes in depth. Additionally, set gillnets must be attached to the bank, oriented perpendicular to the river, and may not be operated more than 100 feet from the ordinary high-water mark.
Gillnet (drift and/or set):
- Friday, June 12 from 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 16 from 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
During these two opportunities, gillnets are restricted to 6-inch or less mesh and may not exceed 45 meshes in depth. Below the Johnson River, gillnets must not exceed 50 fathoms (300 feet) in total combined length (set and drift gillnet). Above the Johnson River, gillnets must not exceed 25 fathoms (150 feet) in total combined length.
Throughout the summer, harvest using dip nets, beach seines, fish wheels, and rod and reel will remain open throughout the closure and retention of all salmon (and other non-salmon species) is allowed within the main stem of the Kuskokwim River.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which manages the river outside of the refuge boundaries, has projected near average to above average runs this year for all four species of Kuskokwim salmon, in order of appearance on the river: chinook, chum, sockeye, and coho.
Beginning June 12, the state says it plans to provide at least one 6-inch mesh drift gillnet opportunity per week in waters that it manages.
Catch the latest updates on management decisions by joining weekly teleconferences hosted by the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group in person at the Bethel ADF&G offices or by phone at 10 a.m. every Wednesday during the salmon season. To attend by telephone: call 1-888-788-0099, meeting ID: 849016. Or join with Zoom through Zoom.us: meeting 816-6267-8969 code 849016.
You can also stay informed by joining weekly teleconferences hosted by the Kuksokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission by phone or online at 10 a.m. every Tuesday during the salmon season. Dial into the first teleconference of the season on May 26 at: 1-888-788-0099, meeting ID: 870 1746 8838. Join via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87017468838
The following salmon-bearing tributaries will remain closed to all harvest, by gillnet or otherwise, of chinook, chum, and coho salmon:
• The Eek River.
• The Kwethluk River drainage, beginning at its confluence with Kuskokuak Slough.
• The Kasigluk and Kisaralik River drainages, including Old Kuskokuak Slough, to Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) regulatory markers at the confluence of Old Kuskokuak Slough and Kuskokuak Slough.
• The Tuluksak River drainage, including its confluence with the Kuskokwim River and downstream approximately 1 mile to ADF&G regulatory markers.
• The Aniak River drainage to ADF&G regulatory markers at its confluence with the Kuskokwim River.
• The Aniak Box, defined as: the waters of the Kuskokwim River main stem from the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge boundary at Aniak downstream to a line formed from the northwest corner of the runway (latitude 61° 35’ 16” N, longitude 159° 33’ 28” W), due north to a point on the southeast corner of the sandbar (latitude 61° 35’ 37” N, longitude 159° 33’ 16” W).
Fishing from tributaries not listed above is restricted to fishing 100 yards (300 feet) upriver from the mouth of the river (confluence with the main stem Kuskokwim River).
