Sitka resident anglers face nonresident rules once they cross into the EEZ

Alaska resident anglers fishing the Exclusive Economic Zone (federal waters from three to 200 nautical miles offshore) must follow nonresident regulations, including size, bag, possession, seasonal dates, and annual limits, for king salmon, lingcod, and nonpelagic rockfish when in the EEZ.

The 2026 Southeast sport fishing regulations are explicit: "Anglers may only possess the limit of fish allowed for the specific waters they are fishing. A resident may not harvest a higher resident limit in state waters and then fish (for any species) in the EEZ waters." A resident who legally kept a 45-inch lingcod in state waters cannot then fish any species offshore, because nonresident lingcod rules cap legal size to one fish between 30 and 35 inches.

This requirement does not affect nonresidents, since their limits are the same in state and federal waters. Residents fishing the EEZ must also record harvest of any species carrying an annual limit, including king salmon, lingcod, nonpelagic rockfish such as demersal shelf rockfish, steelhead, and sharks. Sitka Fishing Excursions has characterized the resident-only burden as unfair. ADF&G notes that EEZ boundary maps are available in the 2026 regulatory summary and posted at most harbors.

As a related conservation reminder, all vessels must carry at least one functional deepwater release device, and any rockfish not retained must be released at the depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower.