The state has issued a series of subsistence fishing restrictions that will take effect beginning this weekend. The measures are meant to conserve the soon-to-arrive king salmon.
Starting Saturday, May 20, the Kuskokwim River will close to gillnets in the bottom portion of the river. The restriction will move upstream every five days until it reaches the headwaters.
Also beginning Saturday, a series of river drainages will close to gillnet fishing. The waterways include the Kwethluk, Kasigluk, Kisaralik, Tuluksak, and Aniak.
Subsistence fishing with fish wheels, dip nets, beach seines, and hook and line remains open. However, all King salmon must be returned alive to the water.
Correction: This story has been corrected to show that subsistence fishing, by means other than gillnets, will be permitted throughout the Kuskokwim River drainage.
