Once again, king salmon fishing on the Kuskokwim River will be restricted to local residents under federal law.
Beginning June 12, only subsistence users living in the Kuskokwim river drainage, or along the coast in Chefornak, Kongiganak, Kipnuk, or Kwigillingok will be allowed to fish for Kuskokwim kings.
The Federal Subsistence Board made the decision after receiving similar requests from the Kuskokwim River Intertribal Fisheries Commission and the Akiak Native Community.
The restrictions are meant to preserve subsistence harvests of king salmon, while conserving the species.
The restrictions begin June 12, the first day that the Kuskokwim federal manager can declare an opening for king salmon on the river.