BETHEL — In the first targeted salmon fishing of the year on the Kuskokwim River, state and federal fish managers are allowing limited subsistence fishing for king and chum salmon starting at noon Sunday, though different rules will apply on different stretches of river.
For federal waters within the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge — from the river mouth to Aniak — the opening ends Sunday at midnight. Above the Johnson River, nets can't be longer than 150 feet. Below it, nets can be 300 feet long. Only federally qualified users, who have been in the region for at least a year, can fish in federal waters.
In state waters from Aniak to the mouth of the Holitna River, the opening goes for 48 hours, ending at noon Tuesday. From the confluence with the Holitna to the headwaters, the Kuskokwim is open until further notice. Nets in state waters can't be longer than 150 feet.
Both the state and federal managers are limiting nets to those with mesh openings no bigger than 6 inches.
The restrictions and limited opportunities are intended to help rebuild the Kuskokwim's troubled king salmon runs.
The openings were announced Friday afternoon. Additional opportunities are likely in the coming days, managers said.