For the first time since 2003, and before that 1997, the Yukon River king run has exceeded 253,000 fish. On July 12, the 253,250th chinook was counted at Pilot Station. ADF&G has revised the run outlook to be as high as 287,000 Chinook for this year and relaxed subsistence fishing restrictions. There will be no commercial season for Chinook this year.
The higher numbers mean the Canadian-bound kings, which the U.S. is treaty-bound to protect so they can reach their spawning grounds in Canada, will be above the upper end of pre-season estimates. It also means that subsistence take of these highly-nutritional fish will now be open for residents of Alaska's largest river system. Residents have foregone subsistance take in the past to protect the future run of kings....