News Release

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

Date: April 26, 2022
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 local office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Glennallen.
Permits are available at the following locations; modifications to the permitting process vary by location as follows:

• Copper Center Visitor Center:

  • Beginning May 12, and throughout the season, applicants are encouraged to call ahead to 907-822-7250 to request a permit.
  • After allowing time for park staff to process and print the permit, it will be available for pick-up at the Visitor Center beginning May 13 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days/week. Note: permits requested late in the day may not be available for pick-up until the following day.
  • Fish wheels may be registered at the time of picking up fishing permits or at the local office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Glennallen.

• Slana Ranger Station:

  • Fishing permits and fish wheel registration will be available at the Slana Ranger Station beginning May 23 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., 7 days/week.

  • Applicants do not need to call ahead at this location. More information at 907-822-7401.

• Chitina Ranger Station:

  • Permits will not be issued directly at the Chitina Ranger Station during the 2022 season.

  • Permit applicants must call ahead to the Copper Center Visitor Center at 907-822-7250 to request a permit or fish wheel registration, beginning May 12.

  • After allowing time for park staff to process and print the permit, it will be available for pick-up at the Copper Center Visitor Center beginning May 13 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days/week. Note: permits requested late in the day may not be available for pick-up until the following day.

  • If pick up at Copper Center is a hardship, then applicants must call ahead to the Copper Center Visitor Center at 907-822-7250 to request their permit prior to May 25. Their permit will then be available for pick up in Chitina between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on May 27.

• Kennecott-McCarthy area:

  • All applicants must call ahead to 907-707-9762 or the Copper Center Visitor Center at 907-822-7250 to request their permits and schedule a time for pick-up.

• Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters (Tok), 907-883-9409 or 907-505-0858:

  • Permits will be available at the Tetlin NWR Office during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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

For all locations listed above, a 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 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.