State Opens Two-Day Geoduck Fishery in Kaigani Strait

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened a two-day commercial geoduck fishery in Kaigani Strait this week, wrapping up the season for waters south of Ketchikan.

The opening targets the final 7,000 pounds of quota in an area that started the season with 22,300 pounds. Earlier harvests in January and February took most of that allocation, leaving this small remainder for commercial divers.

Geoducks are large burrowing clams that can live more than a century, sometimes weighing several pounds each. They burrow deep into sand and mud with only their siphon reaching the surface. Commercial divers use high-pressure hoses to excavate them from the seafloor, working in cold water and remote locations where tidal patterns and substrate conditions determine success. Most Alaska geoducks go to live export markets in Asia, where they command premium prices.

Southeast Alaska's total geoduck harvest guideline for the 2025-26 season is 443,600 pounds across multiple subdistricts. The Kaigani Strait quota represents about 5 percent of that regionwide total. The department manages harvests through a series of emergency orders that open specific areas for limited periods throughout fall, winter, and spring.

The Opening

This week's fishery runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, and Thursday, April 23, in Subdistrict 103-30-001. The harvest area covers waters south of a line from Luke Point to Long Island.

Kaigani Strait sits between Prince of Wales Island and the southern tip of Dall Island in Southeast Alaska. The remote location means divers must travel by boat from Ketchikan or nearby communities, adding logistical challenges to the brief harvest window.

Commercial divers must label all geoducks with harvest date, harvester name, and location. Buyers must report their purchases to the Fish and Game office in Ketchikan by noon on Friday, April 24.

Weather conditions, vessel availability, and shellfish toxin testing can all affect whether divers can take advantage of brief openings like this one. The short window requires quick mobilization, with vessels ready to deploy and processing arrangements confirmed before the opening starts.

Fishermen can check for updates on commercial fisheries openings through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website or by contacting the Ketchikan office directly.