May not be operated more than 100 feet from the ordinary high-water mark
Must be spaced 150 feet apart from other set nets
Must have an attached keg or buoy with the fisherman’s first initial, last name, and address
Most years, federal managers relinquish control of the lower Kuskokwim River and allow the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to open it up 24/7 to gillnet fishing by early July. This year is different.
Biologists are expecting a low king salmon run, similar to last year’s. But on top of that, this year is shaping up to be the worst chum salmon run on record for the Kuskokwim. Last year’s chum run was extremely low as well. Therefore, both federal and state managers have agreed to keep the river closed to protect chum salmon.
State And Feds Say They Will Work Together To Prevent Confusion Around Fishing Regulations
kyuk.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kyuk.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fewer Fishermen Participate In Controversial State Opening, But Catch More Salmon
kyuk.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kyuk.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
4:31
Federal managers say that they’re not sure how the state-issued opener will be enforced. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) declared a driftnet opening in the lower Kuskokwim River for this coming Monday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
But before the summer fishing season began, the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge declared federal management of the lower Kuskokwim River salmon fishery. They did so under ANILCA, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, to help conserve king salmon.
The feds have not issued an opening on June 28, and federal manager Boyd Blihovde said that they do not plan to. Blihovde said that the state’s announcement for the opening is illegal and illegitimate.