King Salmon Fishing Banned Across Tanana Drainage Due to Yukon Forecast

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

Emergency Order 3-KS-U-01-26 prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing, in all waters of the Tanana River drainage. The closure affects the Chena, Goodpaster and Salcha rivers, among other waters in the drainage.

The order requires that all king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Andrew Gryska, area management biologist for the department, issued the fishing report on May 18, 2026. Gryska can be reached at 907-459-7339 or [email protected].

The emergency order ties the Tanana River drainage closure directly to conditions in the Yukon River system. The preseason forecast projects a below-average run of king salmon returning to the Yukon River this year.

King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, can be identified in their marine phase by spots on their back and both lobes of the tail, along with a black mouth and a black gumline. Spawning king salmon turn maroon or olive brown and retain spots on their body and both lobes of the tail.

The closure comes as local fishing conditions shift with the season, according to the report. Smaller lakes and ponds around Fairbanks and Delta are just beginning to break up. Larger lakes will be ice-free later; Harding Lake typically goes ice-free around Memorial Day weekend. River levels are high and the waters are murky. Warmer weather should result in more snowmelt at high elevations, which will push water levels up.

Most river boat launches are ice-free, though some may still be soft and muddy. The George Lake boat launch is unusable due to the channel undercutting the slab. This has caused a three-foot drop along the edge of the entire launch area.

Other fishing restrictions remain in effect in the Tanana drainage. Arctic grayling fishing in the entire Chena River is restricted to catch-and-release with only unbaited, single-hook lures or flies until June 1. Northern pike fishing in the Tolovana River drainage, including Minto Flats, Minto Lakes and the Chatanika River, is now open as of April 15. Lakes remain ice covered.

After June 1, a bag limit of one Arctic grayling is allowed for anglers downstream of the dam. Upstream of the dam remains catch-and-release only year-round for Arctic grayling.

Arctic grayling are nearing completion of spawning in most rivers and will soon be migrating to their summer feeding grounds. Badger Slough remains one of the few area streams with clear water to fish. Arctic grayling should be moving into the Delta Clearwater River soon.