fishery management report no. 12–46 - Alaska Department of Fish ...

ABSTRACT
Historic, current, and future performance and management of the recreational fisheries of the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game (department) Region III Tanana River Management Area (TRMA) is presented in this report.
Particular emphasis is placed on the performance and management of TRMA fisheries for 2011, with preliminary
information for 2012.
The Tanana River drainage is the second largest tributary system of the Yukon River. The mainstem Tanana River
is a large glacial system formed by the confluence of the Chisana and Nabesna rivers near Tok and the Alaska-
Canada border, which flows in a generally northwest direction for some 570 river miles to the Yukon River.
Much of the human population in Region III is located within the Tanana River drainage along the Alaska,
Richardson, and Parks highways, and along the road system around Fairbanks. These highways and their secondary
roads provide much of the access to TRMA sport fisheries.
The majority of fishing effort in the TRMA occurs on the Chena, Salcha, Chatanika, and Delta Clearwater rivers;
Minto Flats; Harding, Fielding, and Tangle Lakes, and various stocked waters. Sport anglers target many species in
the TRMA; however, the most commonly targeted species are king salmon, coho salmon, Arctic grayling, burbot,
northern pike, lake trout, and stocked rainbow trout.
Key Words: Arctic grayling, burbot, Chatanika River, Chena River, chum, king, coho, Delta Clearwater River,
Fielding Lake, Harding Lake, lake trout, TRMA, management, Minto Flats, Nenana River, northern
pike, personal use, rainbow trout, recreational, Salcha River, salmon, sport, stocked waters, Tanana
River, Tangle Lakes, whitefish, Yukon River.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This document provides a wide array of information specific to recreational angling
opportunities that exist within the Tanana River Management Area (TRMA). Information
specific to the proposals that the Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) will address at its January
15–20, 2013 meeting is contained within this report. Appendix D (page 58) directs board
members to information specific to the January meeting. This table guides the reader to specific
information contained within the text, tables, and graphic format that may be useful in evaluating
regulatory proposals. Information specific to recreational fisheries within the TRMA during
2011; preliminary data from 2012 are presented, along with a brief history of these fisheries and
past board decisions that have affected them.
INTRODUCTION
This area management report provides information regarding the Tanana River Management
Area (TRMA) and its fisheries for 2011, with preliminary information from the 2012 season.
This report is organized into 2 primary sections: a management area overview, including a
description of the TRMA and a summary of fishing effort, harvest and catch for the area, and a
section on the significant area fisheries, including specific harvest and catch by species and
drainage.
ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Local Fish and Game advisory committees (ACs) have been established throughout the state to
assist the boards of Fisheries and Game in assessing fisheries and wildlife issues and proposed
regulation changes. AC meetings allow opportunity for direct public interaction with Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (department) staff attending the meetings that answer questions
and provide clarification concerning proposed regulatory changes regarding resource issues of
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