Yukon Territories Yukon River SalmonFisheries |
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 The longest standing fishery in the Yukon Territory is the First Nation fishery, also referred to as aboriginal fishery, and is only open to designates of Yukon First Nations. Yukon First Nation fishers have traditionally relied on the salmon resources of the Yukon River for their survival. Once spawning escapements are met, priority (in terms of allocation) is given to the First Nation fishery to address food, social and ceremonial needs. First Nation fisheries are widespread throughout the Yukon River drainage in Canada.
 Most First Nation fishers have a fish camp, where a family or families will fish together for their food, social, ceremonial needs and also to supplement dog food with chum salmon. Fishing gear primarily consists of set gillnets, fish wheels in larger sites around the Dawson City area, drift gillnets in the Teslin River, and gaffs in the smaller headwater streams. Some salmon are split, hung and smoked at fish camp for later use. Salmon are also frozen or canned and some people find fish heads, eggs, milt (fish sperm) and gut a delicacy.
First Nation fishers usually begin fishing in early to mid-July for Chinook salmon and usually continue until their needs are met. Fishing for chum salmon in the upper Yukon River usually begins in August and is completed by mid-October. However, on the Porcupine River, the fishery often continues to operate through November with netting for chum and coho salmon frequently occurring through the ice.
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 The commercial fishery began in 1898 and the first licenses were issued the following year by the Royal Northwest Mounted Police under authority granted from L.H. Davies, the Minister of the Federal Department of Marine and Fisheries. Up until 1980, the commercial fishery was an open-entry fishery. The commercial fishery currently involves up to 21 licensed fishers. An additional eight licenses, guaranteed to Yukon First Nations under the UFA, have not been activated as of 2004.
When there are no spawning escapement or First Nation fishery concerns, the commercial fishery usually opens in early July for Chinook salmon; peak catches generally do not occur until mid to late July. Opening schedules for the commercial fishery are dependent upon run timing and the strength of the run. The commercial fishery for chum salmon follows the Chinook run, peaking in mid-September and ending in October and follows the same management regime as other fisheries.
 Fishing gear for commercial fisheries consists of fish wheels and gillnets. Commercial fisheries may occur in the following areas: in the Yukon River, downstream from Tatchun Creek to Dozen Islands (excluding a closed section around the mouth of the Klondike River); in the Stewart River, downstream from the mouth of the McQuesten River; and in the Pelly River, downstream from the mouth of the MacMillan River.
Since processing facilities are currently limited, salmon caught in the commercial fishery are sold mostly to local markets (fresh, frozen, smoked, dried) or processed into other value-added products. Many commercial fishers rely on a portion of their catch to meet personal needs.
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Domestic Fishery |
The domestic fishery was first initiated in 1899 to allow British subjects and Yukon Territory residents to fish for personal use with gillnets. This fishery was eliminated in 1961 but then re-instated in 1974. The domestic fishery is currently limited to nine licensed fishers who fish primarily for Chinook salmon. Fishing areas have been restricted to the same areas as commercial fishing, and gear is limited to one gillnet of up to 295 feet (90m) in length. When there are no spawning escapement and First Nation fishery concerns, the domestic fishery usually opens in early July for Chinook salmon and generally follows a pre-set number of days per week during the Chinook season. On average, less than 200 Chinook salmon are taken by this fishery. The salmon caught in the domestic fishery are for personal use and can not be sold. |
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 When sport/recreational fishing first appeared in the Yukon Territory is unknown, but may date back to the 1700s. The first licenses were issued in 1949, after the construction of the Alaska Highway (1942-1947). Approximately 15,500 anglers received angling licenses in 2002, of which 1,049 purchased a Yukon Salmon Conservation Catch Card, which is mandatory for salmon fishers. Approximately 74% of the cards were issued to Yukon Territory residents, 13% to other Canadian residents and 12% to non-Canadian residents. To date, fewer than 1,000 Chinook salmon are harvested annually by this fishery, which are cooked, smoked or canned for personal use. Presently, the sport/recreational fishery is the only fishery open to all residents and non-residents of the Yukon Territory.
The areas of most intense sport/recreational salmon fishing activity are the Yukon River near Tatchun Creek, Big Salmon River, Teslin River, and Pelly River near the mouths of major spawning tributaries and other major tributaries. Fishing gear is restricted to tackle with single barbless hooks, with or without bait (artificial/roe), and fly-fishing gear. In normal years, sport/recreational fishing targets Chinook salmon from mid-to-late July through August. Chum salmon have not yet been targeted in this fishery. |
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