What Are the Sport Fishing Regulations in Alaska?

There are a number of sport-fishing regulations in Alaska, and they can sometimes vary depending on what part of the state you’re fishing in. If you join us on one of our Alaskan fishing charters, you won’t need to worry about the regulations, as we know them well. But if you’re going to be fishing on your own, we’ve collected some of this year’s regulations for the most commonly sought-after sport fish in our area of Alaska:

• King salmon: The king salmon season opens January 1 and closes June 30. For fishery salmon, there’s a season from April 1 to August 31, and a winter season from September 1 to March 31. You’re limited to one king salmon per day, with an annual limit of five. All king salmon must be 20 inches or longer.
• All other salmon (silver, pink, red): There’s a daily limit of three per day, and six total in possession for all salmon longer than 16 inches. If they’re smaller than 16 inches, you can catch up to 10 a day. The season starts January 1 and ends September 30.
• Halibut: The season is from February 1 to December 31. If you’re fishing alone––that is, without a guide––you can catch up to two per day. With a guide, you can only catch one, and only within certain size limits.
• Lingcod: The season runs from July 1 through December 31, and you can catch a maximum of two per day, which must be a minimum of 35 inches. Any lingcod that are gaffed or clubbed should be kept. Don’t release injured or punctured fish.
• Rockfish: The season runs all year long, and you may catch up to five per day, and have up to 10 in possession.
• Rainbow and steelhead trout: The season opens June 15 and closes April 14. You can catch two per day, but only one may be longer than 20 inches. And there’s an annual limit of two fish total that may be above 20 inches. All 20-inch-plus rainbow or steelhead trout must immediately be recorded.
• Dolly Varden: Their season extends year-round. You can catch five per day, though only one may be longer than 12 inches.
• Arctic grayling: You can catch up to two per day, and the season extends year-round.
• Lake trout: Same rules and regulations as with the grayling.
• Northern pike: There’s no limit, and the season extends year-round. They can be taken with normal fishing gear, ice-fishing gear, bow and arrow or fishing spear. If you catch them, you cannot return them alive back to the water. If you don’t want to keep one, you need to dispose of it––at the very least, killing before returning it to the water.

If you go on one of Phantom Tri-River Charters’ guided Alaskan fishing charters, of course, your guide will know all the regulations, including all the tricky stuff. Most importantly, they’ll know all the best places to fish, and will be able to get you there. They can also help with the dirty work––the filleting, vacuum sealing, and packing. Give us a call if you would like to go on the Alaskan fishing charter of a lifetime. We know you’ll create some of the best memories of your life with us.