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Sport Fish Division of the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game

Copper River Personal Use and Subsistence Fisheries



Overview

Alert for 2009: EO-3-RS-02-09 closes the Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishery to the retention of king salmon for the remainder of the 2009 season. Beginning Monday, June 8, at 12:01 A.M. all king salmon incidentally taken may not be retained and must be released immediately and returned to the water unharmed.

The Copper River is divided into two subdistricts for management purposes. The Chitina Subdistrict (traditionally referred to as simply "Chitina") and the Glennallen Subdistrict. The Chitina Subdistrict is currently classified as a personal use fishery. The Glennallen Subdistrict is currently classified as a subsistence fishery.

The Chitina Subdistrict personal use fishery is restricted solely to the waters of the mainstem Copper River between the downstream edge of the Chitina-McCarthy Bridge and Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulatory markers located on an east-west line crossing the Copper River about 200 yards upstream of Haley Creek (in Wood Canyon). All tributaries of the Copper River in this area, including the Chitina River, are CLOSED to personal use fishing.

The Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence fishery is restricted to all waters of the mainstem Copper River from the mouth of the Slana River downstream to the downstream edge of the Chitina-McCarthy Bridge. All tributaries of the Copper River, including the Chitina River, are CLOSED to subsistence fishing.

Copper River Subdistricts Common Inquiries
Criteria Chitina Subdistrict Glennallen Subdistrict
Fishery Class Personal Use Subsistence
Location Map Personal Use Fishery Map Subsistence Fishery
Permit Required? Yes (Household) Yes (Household)
Sport Fish License Required? Yes No
Legal Gear Dipnet only Dipnet OR Fishwheel (must choose one)
Regulations Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use Regulations Glennallen Subdistrict Subsistence Regulations
Copper River (Miles Lake) Sonar counts
ALWAYS CONSULT APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS PRIOR TO FISHING

Notices and Reminders

  • Not all private land is posted. Please respect the rights of private landowners.
  • The road from O'Brien Creek to Haley Creek is CLOSED at Milepost 3.7. DOT has no plans to repair the road beyond this point.
  • Remember: Littering carries a fine of $1,000. YOU are responsible for putting your garbage in the litter barrels and dumpsters or hauling it out.
  • The contractor in charge of hauling out garbage is responsible only for emptying garbage cans and the dumpster -- he is not contracted to pick up litter!
  • Recorded hotlines for Chitina dipnetting information: Fairbanks: 907-459-7382 & Glennallen: 907-822-5224.