(Glennallen) - In accordance with the Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishery Management Plan (5 AAC 77.591) the preliminary Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery schedule for 2026 is listed in the table below. The schedule is based on projected daily sonar counts at the Miles Lake sonar and is designed to distribute harvest throughout the run.

2026 Copper River Chitina Subdistrict personal use salmon fishery preseason schedule

Fishing periods
Start		End	Number of hours
Wednesday, June 10, 12:00 p.m. (noon)	–	Sunday, June 14, 11:59 p.m.	108
Monday, June 15, 12:01 a.m.	–	Sunday, June 21, 11:59 p.m.	168
Monday, June 22, 12:01 a.m.	–	Sunday, June 28, 11:59 p.m.	168
Monday, June 29, 12:01 a.m.	–	Monday, June 29, 11:59 p.m.	24
Thursday, July 02, 12:00 p.m. (noon)	–	Sunday, July 05, 11:59 p.m.	84
Monday, July 06, 12:01 a.m.	–	Monday, July 06, 11:59 p.m.	24
Thursday, July 09, 12:00 p.m. (noon)	–	Sunday, July 12, 11:59 p.m.	84
Monday, July 13, 12:01 a.m.	–	Monday, July 13, 12:00 p.m.	12
Thursday, July 16, 12:00 p.m. (noon)	–	Sunday, July 19, 11:59 p.m.	84
Monday, July 20, 12:01 a.m.	–	Sunday, July 26, 11:59 p.m.	168
Monday, July 27, 12:01 a.m.	–	Sunday, August 02, 11:59 p.m.	168
Monday, August 03, 12:01 a.m.	–	Sunday, August 09, 11:59 p.m.	168
Monday, August 10, 12:01 a.m.	–	Monday, August 10, 11:59 p.m.	24
Thursday, August 13, 12:01 a.m.	–	Sunday, August 16, 11:59 p.m.	96
Monday, August 17, 12:01 a.m.	–	Monday, August 31, 11:59 p.m.	Continuous

This preliminary schedule will be adjusted weekly based on actual sonar counts, as directed by the Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishery Management Plan. Travel time for salmon between the Miles Lake sonar and the Chitina Subdistrict is approximately two to three weeks. As a result, changes to the preliminary schedule will be announced by emergency order approximately one week prior to the fishing period through August 31. By regulation, the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery is open 7 days a week, September 1–30.

The 2026 Copper River forecast is 1,455,000 wild and hatchery sockeye salmon combined and 33,000 king salmon. The inriver goal, assessed by the number of salmon passing the Miles Lake sonar, is 632,700 salmon.

The department would like to remind dipnetters that king salmon may not be kept in the personal use fishery until July 1. All king salmon caught prior to July 1 must be released immediately and returned to the water unharmed. Retention of king salmon may be closed at any time by Emergency Order.

Only Alaska residents are eligible to participate in personal use fisheries. A Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery permit and a resident Alaska sport fishing license are required. Both dip net permits and fishing licenses can be obtained online at the ADF&G online store. A $15 fee is charged for the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery permit. Revenue from the fee supports sanitation services and trail maintenance at the fishery.

The department urges dipnetters to respect the rights of private landowners in the area and familiarize themselves with the land ownership in the area before fishing. For information on access across private lands, contact Chitina Native Corporation at (907) 823-2223 or Ahtna, Inc. at (907) 822-3476.

Detailed information about the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery can be found at the Chitina dipnetting page on the ADF&G website. This includes updated schedules, a link to sonar counts, how-to videos, a map of legal access points, and much more. In addition to being posted online, the most current fishing schedule is available on the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery information line at (907) 822-5224. Please verify that the fishery is open prior to traveling by calling the information phone line or checking online. If you have any questions regarding the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery, contact the ADF&G office in Glennallen at (907) 822-3309.

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