Subsistence
RSSSubsistence in Alaska is the hunting, fishing, and gathering that rural and Alaska Native residents rely on for food. It covers moose, caribou, salmon, and other harvests managed through seasonal closures, permits, and openings across refuges, rivers, and rural Alaska.
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June 2026
Alaska closes Yukon subsistence salmon fishing through early June
Alaska closed subsistence Chinook and summer chum salmon fishing across the Yukon River through early June, affecting twelve upriver communities where weak salmon runs have triggered multi-year restrictions.
by Alaska News5mo ago1 min read
Begich bill to expand commerce in Alaska sea otter handicrafts gets first congressional hearing
A new bill in Congress that asks, what otter we do?
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Alaska fishery disaster funds stalled at OMB despite congressional approval
Congress approved $300 million in fishery disaster relief for Alaska in December 2024, but the Office of Management and Budget has not released the funds to fishing families waiting for relief.
by Alaska News5mo ago1 min read
A House bill on NOAA workplace safety is built on data from Alaska — where a third of fisheries observers report harassment or assault
A House bill to strengthen sexual harassment protections at NOAA is built on data from Alaska's North Pacific Observer Program, where nearly one third of the roughly 400 annual observers report harassment or assault.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
May 2026
Eagle River king salmon fishery closed for 2026 season
Alaska closed all king salmon sport fishing in Eagle River through July 13, 2026 due to weak fish populations and unmet escapement goals.
by Bill AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min readFrom 
Hopson 1 crew strikes Utqiaġvik's first whale of spring season
Hopson 1 crew struck Utqiaġvik's first bowhead whale of spring 2026 season Saturday, marking an important catch for the Alaska Native community after a late start.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min read
Nome subsistence salmon fishers face new weekly schedule, 25-fish limits
Alaska Fish and Game set a Wednesday-to-Monday subsistence fishing schedule and 25-fish household limits for Norton Sound salmon in 2026, citing conservation concerns across the region.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago3 min readState to use fish pesticide in Sucker Lake to kill invasive pike
Alaska will treat two lobes of Sucker Lake with rotenone in August 2026 to kill invasive northern pike that threaten salmon and trout across Southcentral Alaska.
by Alaska News6mo ago3 min readMore from Subsistence
Karluk River Chinook Collapse Triggers First Subsistence Closure
Alaska closed the Karluk River to subsistence Chinook salmon harvest through December 2026 after escapement crashed to 93 fish in 2025, far below the 3,000 to 6,000 fish goal.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min readApril 2026
Board Cuts Area M June Salmon Fishing Time 30% to Protect Yukon-Bound Chum
Alaska's Board of Fisheries voted 4-3 to cut June salmon fishing time in Area M by 30 to 39 percent, removing industry catch limits to protect chum and kings bound for Western Alaska rivers.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Federal Subsistence Board adopts 52 wildlife proposals for Alaska
The Federal Subsistence Board approved 52 new hunting rules for federal lands. • Rules take effect July 1 and govern subsistence access through June 2028. • Changes include a new Kodiak brown bear hunt and tighter limits in Southeast.
by Melinda Communities.Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Alaska Fishermen Report Salmon Declines Amid Bycatch, Management Concerns
Alaska fishermen and subsistence harvesters report salmon declines they blame on bottom trawler bycatch, though federal managers say bycatch stays within sustainable limits.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min readState seeks public comment on Yukon River salmon fishing rules by April 30
Alaska is taking public comments through April 30 on adding traditional knowledge to Yukon River fall chum salmon fishing rules, with a decision vote May 1.
by Alaska News7mo ago1 min readComing up
Federal Subsistence Moose Season Closure - Unit 5A East of Dangerous River
Unit 5A east of the Dangerous River, Yakutat, Alaska
Public notice
Effective: Alaska; Wildlife, Harvest, and Access
Public notice
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Federal Subsistence Winter Moose Hunt Opens
Public notice
Comments close: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve; Use of Off-Road Vehicles for Subsistence Purposes by Residents of Anaktuvuk Pass
Public notice
Public Comment Deadline: Gates of the Arctic National Park ORV Subsistence Use Proposed Rule
Public notice
About Subsistence
Subsistence in Alaska is the hunting, fishing and gathering that rural and Alaska Native households rely on for food. It takes in salmon, moose, caribou, whitefish, seals and other harvests, taken under permits, quotas and seasonal openings on rivers, refuges and parklands.
Federal and state managers decide when subsistence fishing opens and closes, often river by river, based on run counts and escapement goals. On the Yukon, fishing is also timed so Canadian-bound salmon can pass, and on the Kuskokwim and Copper rivers closures follow weak runs. The Federal Subsistence Board, the Board of Game, the Board of Fisheries and National Park Service rules shape who may harvest, where and with what gear.
Local advisory bodies, such as the subsistence commission for Wrangell-St. Elias, and tribes take part through public meetings and consultation. Subsistence connects to commercial fisheries through bycatch, such as the chum salmon taken by the Bering Sea pollock fleet.
