News Release

Information Now Available for Federal Subsistence Fishing Permits in the Upper Copper River

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: Carrie Wittmer, 907-822-7255

COPPER CENTER, AK – 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 must 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 Event at Copper Center Visitor Center on May 9, 3pm – 6pm 

New this year:  On Tuesday, May 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. applicants will be able to pick up permits and register fish wheels at the Copper Center Visitor Center, Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway. Effective immediately, applicants should call ahead to 907-822-7250 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 event, call 907-822-7250. 

If you’re unable to attend this event, permits will also be available at the locations listed below. Modifications to the permitting process vary by location as follows: 

Copper Center Visitor Center:

• Applicants are encouraged to call ahead to 907-822-7250 to request a permit. Note that permits requested late in the day may not be available for pick-up until the following day. 

• Beginning May 12 and throughout the season, permits will be available for pick up at the Copper Center Visitor Center between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days/week. 

• Fish wheels may be registered at the time of picking up fishing permits or at the Glennallen office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 

Slana Ranger Station, 907-822-7401:  

• Fishing permits and fish wheel registration will be available at the Slana Ranger Station beginning May 26 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days/week. 

• Applicants do not need to call ahead at this location. 

Chitina Ranger Station:  

• Permits will be available at the Chitina Ranger Station ONLY on Friday, May 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  

• Applicants must call ahead to the Copper Center Visitor Center at 907-822-7250 to request their permit or fish wheel registration prior to May 26.  

• Otherwise, fishing permits will not be issued at the Chitina Ranger Station during the 2023 season. Applicants should make plans to pick up permits and register fish wheels at the Copper Center Visitor Center (see above for more information). 
   

Kennecott-McCarthy area:  

• Plans for permit issuance in the Kennecott-McCarthy area will be announced locally in mid-May.  Call the Copper Center Visitor Center at 907-822-7250 for more information. 
   

Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters (Tok), 907-883-5312  

• Permits will be available at the Tetlin NWR office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays 

• Applicants do not need to call ahead at this location. 

• Fish wheel registration is not available at the Tetlin NWR office. Please plan to register your fish wheel in Slana, Copper Center, or Glennallen. 

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 must be federally qualified subsistence users. To be eligible for a permit, your primary permanent residence must be in rural Alaska and your community must 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. 

For more information, contact the park headquarters Visitor Center at 907-822-7250.