ADF&G closes Tanana River drainage to king salmon sport fishing through September 2026

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed all sport fishing for king salmon in the Tanana River drainage, including catch-and-release fishing, because of a preseason forecast for a below-average Yukon River king salmon run.

The Emergency Order prohibits all directed sport fishing for king salmon in flowing waters of the Tanana River drainage, including the Chena, Goodpaster, and Salcha Rivers. Any king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

This is the second consecutive season the department has closed the drainage to king salmon sport fishing under the same conservation rationale. The 2025 closure ran from March 31 through Sept. 30; the 2026 order continues the same restrictions into a second year.

The closure applies to all flowing waters of the Tanana River drainage. Anglers fishing for other species in tributaries (rivers and streams) of the Tanana are restricted to using unbaited, artificial lures during the closure.