ADF&G opens Juneau hatchery area to king salmon retention June 1

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will open the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area near Juneau to king salmon retention beginning June 1, 2026, offering anglers a four-fish daily bag limit while king salmon retention remains closed outside the hatchery area until June 15.

The hatchery area opening runs from 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, August 31. Within the designated area, anglers may keep four king salmon of any size per day, with a possession limit of four fish. King salmon harvested by nonresidents in the hatchery area do not count toward their annual limit.

Anglers should review current advisory announcements and emergency orders for area maps, regulations and updates before heading out on the water.

ADF&G creel samplers will be present at local docks throughout the summer collecting fishery data. Marine boat anglers returning to docks where creel sampling is occurring may not fillet, mutilate or de-head sport-caught lingcod, nonpelagic rockfish, and king or coho salmon at sea through September 13, 2026. These fish must remain whole until the vessel is tied up at a docking facility where the fish will be offloaded, unless they have been consumed or preserved on board.

The information collected through creel sampling and angler interviews plays a critical role in fisheries management, helping ADF&G understand harvest levels, monitor fish stocks and protect fishing opportunities.