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.

• Remaining North Alaska Peninsula drainages: King salmon bag limit 2 per day, annual limit 5. Bait and treble hooks allowed. Season runs through July 25.

Other notes:

In Southeast Alaska, an emergency order prohibiting filleting and de-heading in selected ports remains in effect. ADF&G also has used emergency orders repeatedly on the Nushagak and Naknek for in-season king salmon adjustments tied to Chinook returns — anglers should check current emergency orders before fishing.

Regulations in the 2026 booklet not listed above are currently in effect.

For questions, contact Regional Management Biologist Jay Baumer at (907) 267-2265.