Alaska sport fishing rules frozen despite new booklets

Anglers who picked up the 2026 Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary should know that several rules printed in the booklet — including statewide rockfish and king salmon identification requirements, Alaska Peninsula differential harvest limits, and Bristol Bay king salmon restrictions — haven't gone through final approval and aren't enforceable yet. The 2025 rules are still in force.

The gap exists because regulations adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries during the 2025/2026 meeting cycle still need Department of Law review and a Lieutenant Governor filing under the state Administrative Procedure Act before they become law. The booklet went to print in anticipation of those steps clearing before the season; they haven't.

ADF&G says a press release will be issued when any of the new regulations take effect. Anglers should follow 2025 rules for the affected fisheries in the meantime and check ADF&G's posted regulations and emergency orders — which are always the authoritative source, not the printed booklet.

Bristol Bay (current 2025 rules in effect):

• Naknek River Drainage: Open to king salmon fishing in designated waters. For king salmon 20 inches or longer: limit 3 per day, 3 in possession, only 1 of which may be 28 inches or longer. Annual limit of 5 king salmon 20 inches or longer from the entire drainage, only 3 of which may be 28 inches or longer. All harvested king salmon 20 inches or longer must be recorded on a valid sport fishing license, harvest record card, or in the ADF&G Mobile App. For king salmon under 20 inches: limit 10 per day, 10 in possession.

• Nushagak River Drainage: Open May 1 through July 31 with gear restricted to one single-hook lure or fly, or one single-hook. Bait is allowed except in waters upstream of the confluence of Harris Creek.

Alaska Peninsula (current 2025 rules in effect):

• Nelson (Sapsuk) River: King salmon catch-and-release only through July 25. No retention. Single-hook artificial lures or flies only.

• Sandy River: Open through July 25. King salmon bag limit 1 per day, annual limit 2. Single-hook artificial lures or flies only year-round.

• King Salmon and Bear River drainages: Open through July 25. Bag limit 10 king salmon under 20 inches. Single-hook artificial lures or flies year-round. King salmon 20 inches or greater are catch-and-release only.