(Fairbanks) – Due to the April 2024 agreement between the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and a preseason forecast for a below-average king salmon run, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Yukon River drainage (excluding the Tanana River drainage) to sport fishing for king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 31. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing, in all waters of the Yukon River drainage. In addition, when fishing for other species anglers may not use bait in Yukon River tributaries. All king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. These restrictions remain effective until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

King salmon in the Yukon River drainage continue to experience historically low productivity for both Canadian and Alaska stocks. Approximately 40-50% of Yukon River king salmon spawn in Canada and these fish are managed through the Yukon River Salmon Agreement, which requires a minimum number of 42,500 king salmon to cross into Canada to ensure adequate numbers for spawning. This minimum number has not been met since 2019. Border passage in 2023 and 2024 were 14,752 and 24,183 king salmon, respectively, and were the second- and third-lowest on record. Due to the persistent low runs of Canadian-origin king salmon that have failed to meet conservation objectives, an agreement between the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has closed the mainstem Yukon River to all directed commercial, sport, and personal use fisheries until at least 2030 as part of a stock rebuilding plan.

The 2025 king salmon run is anticipated to not meet Canadian treaty obligations, is not expected to meet Alaska escapement goals, nor provide for Alaska subsistence opportunity. Due to the international treaty agreement between Alaska and Canada, a preseason closure of sport fishing for king salmon in the Yukon River drainage is required to help protect these fish and comply with the agreement.

For additional information contact Lisa Stuby, Yukon Area Management Biologist at 907-459-7202 or lisa.stuby@alaska.gov.

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