Chinook and chum salmon have reached the interior but only chums will be allowed for harvest.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The first salmon to reach the river near Fairbanks arrived in late June, but it wasn’t until July that salmon fishing could begin. Each year, Interior Alaska eagerly awaits the arrival of the salmon runs which occurs between mid June and early July.
For 2024, chinook salmon arrived first but a little late. The first was counted in the Chena River on June 30. With the arrival of chinooks in the Chena, they’re certainly in the Tanana as well - yet they haven’t been counted in the Salcha River to date. Despite the arrival of chinook salmon, fishing for the prized king will not be allowed, as in recent years. That is because run sizes for this species continue to fall below escapement goals, restricting the capture of chinooks. It also means that using bait will not be allowed for any fishing while chinook runs remain low.Chum salmon entered the Salcha River on July 2, and the Chena River on July 4. Only 12 chums have been counted in each river so far and it is too early in the run to know how large it will be but the preseason forecast was estimated to be 730,000 chums. This means they meet their escapement goal allowing harvest. Fishers with a valid license will be able to capture 3 chums per day, with 3 in possession. There is no size limit for harvest. As to the recent rains, increased water flow should help salmon swim upstream and provide more spots where they can be caught but continued rain could make waters murky and fishing more difficult.100 years after Noel Wien’s historic Fairbanks flight, his likeness takes another — much shorter — voyage
Chum Salmon Chena River Salcha River Tanana River Interior Runs Harvest Escapement Goal Bait
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