Cook Inlet razor clam permit holders must file a harvest report or lose next year's permit

Households holding the new Cook Inlet and North Gulf Coast razor clam permit must file an online harvest report by Dec. 31 — even if they never dug a single clam. Anyone who skips it won't be eligible for a permit in 2027. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game flagged the requirement again this week in its Lower Cook Inlet fishing report.

The permit came out of the March 2025 Board of Fisheries meeting and took effect this season, applying to the sport and personal use razor clam fisheries. Area Management Biologist Mike Booz said the reporting "will provide more timely and accurate effort and harvest information."

Only one permit is issued per household, and every member who plans to dig should be listed on it. In West Cook Inlet, the daily limit is 10 gallons per person, and each listed member has to dig their own clams. The East Cook Inlet razor clam fisheries remain closed for 2026.