04/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/29/2024 12:49
COPPER CENTER, AK - The park is offering several events for qualified local rural residents to pick up their fishing permits. These events will be in Copper Center, McCarthy, Chitina, and are detailed below.
Federal subsistence fishing in the Upper Copper River District opens on May 15. This fishing opportunity is available to qualified local rural residents and a federal permit is required. The permit is a household permit, and only one permit will be issued per household for a given subdistrict. Subsistence fish wheels should be registered by the owner through either the National Park Service or the Glennallen office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Pre-Season Permit Issuance Events at the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center in Copper Center: May 7 and 10.
On Tuesday, May 7, and Friday, May 10, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. applicants will be able to pick up permits and register fish wheels at the Visitor Center in Copper Center, Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway. Applicants should call ahead to 907-822-7284 to request a permit. To reduce wait times and expedite permit issuance, permits will be printed in advance and available for pick up with proper identification. The Visitor Center doors will only be open to permittees, not general visitors. For more information about the events, call 907-822-7284.
If you're unable to attend these events, permits will be available at the locations listed below. The permitting process varies by location as follows:
Eligibility Requirements:
For all locations and events listed above, a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) and additional proof of the physical address of your primary residence is required when you come to get a permit. Documentation of physical address can include a voter registration card or a recent utility bill listing your physical address.
Permit applicants should be federally qualified subsistence users. To be eligible for a permit, your primary permanent residence should be in rural Alaska and your community or area should be listed for the intended species and location in the "Customary & Traditional Use Determination" (C&T) column of the Federal Subsistence Management Regulations Booklet for the Harvest of Fish and Shellfish: https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/fisheries.
Rural residents of the following areas and communities are eligible to fish for salmon in the Glennallen Subdistrict: the Prince William Sound Area and residents of Cantwell, Chickaloon, Chisana, Dot Lake, Dry Creek, Healy Lake, Northway, Tanacross, Tetlin, and Tok, and those individuals living along the Alaska Highway from the U.S./Canada border to Dot Lake, along the Tok Cutoff from Tok to Mentasta Pass, and along the Nabesna Road.
Rural residents of the following areas and communities are eligible to fish for salmon in the Chitina Subdistrict: Cantwell, Chickaloon, Chisana, Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Dot Lake, Gakona, Gakona Junction, Glennallen, Gulkana, Healy Lake, Kenny Lake, Lower Tonsina, McCarthy, Mentasta Lake, Nabesna, Northway, Paxson-Sourdough, Slana, Tanacross, Tazlina, Tetlin, Tok, and Tonsina, and those individuals living along the Tok Cutoff from Tok to Mentasta Pass, and along the Nabesna Road.
Federal subsistence regulations, including customary and traditional use determinations for salmon, are made by the Federal Subsistence Board. If you feel that the regulations do not recognize your community's customary and traditional use, consider submitting a regulatory change proposal. See also: how-change-fed-subsis-regulations.pdf (doi.gov). The Board is accepting proposals to change regulations through May 21, 2024: Call for Proposals to Change Federal Subsistence Fish and Shellfish Regulations | U.S. Department of the Interior (doi.gov).
For more information, call the Visitor Center at 907-822-7250.