Manages Alaska's sport and commercial fisheries, hunting regulations, subsistence harvests, and wildlife conservation. Sets annual seasons, bag limits, and permit rules.
1255 W 8th St, Juneau, AK 99802, USA
Video Clips
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Speaker A
“What is the goal? I mean, what. What is the justification for changing what's in place? What's driving this desire to change the existing plan?”Alaska DNR Forestry: Haines State Forest RMA Project Update Meeting – October 10, 2024 · Jun 3, 2026
Geneva Preston
“Timber harvest would are very likely to be designed in coordination with the Department of Fish and Game and they would be designed with the purpose of enhancing habitat.”Alaska DNR Forestry: Haines State Forest RMA Project Update Meeting – October 10, 2024 · Jun 3, 2026
Geneva Preston
“I think 10 to 20 acres is the range of size limits that you'll see in the wildlife habitat designated subunits. And the management intent statements consistently identify habitat values as the priority for management on these lands”Alaska DNR Forestry: Haines State Forest RMA Project Update Meeting – October 10, 2024 · Jun 3, 2026
Geneva Preston
“the draft is available for review that is available digitally on our project website and hard copies will be available in the Forestry office in Haines if folks are interested to come look at a physical copy and we'll ask that you submit your comments by 5pm on June 5th.”Alaska DNR Forestry: Haines State Forest RMA Project Update Meeting – October 10, 2024 · Jun 3, 2026
Geneva Preston
“any harvest, any timber harvest or resource development activities must be designed to exist compatibly with public recreation uses. And so typically that would look like timbers harvests that are designed to support recreation facilities or support access to areas that are important for recreation.”Alaska DNR Forestry: Haines State Forest RMA Project Update Meeting – October 10, 2024 · Jun 3, 2026
Geneva Preston
“I think 5 acres in unit 3H is the smallest size limit that we see and other units have a cap at 20. 20 Acres is the largest even age timber harvest that I think is permitted in these public recreation designated lands.”Alaska DNR Forestry: Haines State Forest RMA Project Update Meeting – October 10, 2024 · Jun 3, 2026
Federal rule renames Alaska subsistence bird-harvest region as Ahtna Territory
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a 2026 rule renaming the Upper Copper River subsistence bird-harvest region as the Ahtna Territory and aligning seasonal harvest dates across Game Management Units 11, 12, and 13.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Federal managers close Yukon, Innoko gillnets to protect Chinook and chum
Federal subsistence managers have closed all gillnets in Yukon Fishing District 3 and the Innoko River drainage through early July 2026 to protect Chinook and summer chum salmon runs, while allowing selective gear for other species.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Ugashik posts above-average sockeye harvest as Bristol Bay ramps up
The Ugashik District has landed 79,000 sockeye as of Monday, June 22, tracking above average for the date, as ADF&G's Bristol Bay Eastside Salmon Update #4 signals the run is still building and commercial schedules remain subject to rapid in-season change.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Kodiak River closes to sockeye fishing
ADF&G is closing the Buskin River to all sockeye sport fishing starting Wednesday, June 24, after a weir count less than 29% of the 10-year average signals a critically poor run. The closure runs through December 31, 2026.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Russian River Sanctuary opens Thursday as sockeye goal met
ADF&G issued Emergency Order 2-RS-1-26-26 opening the Russian River Sanctuary Area to sport fishing at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 18, after weir data showing 7,512 sockeye through June 16 projected the biological escapement goal will be met; the opening runs through July 14.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
On one of the world's great king rivers, a 'poor' rating is partly the plan
Sockeye and king salmon fishing on the Nushagak River is rated poor as of Wednesday, June 17, but Area Manager Lee Borden says conditions should improve as runs continue arriving in Bristol Bay. No emergency orders are in effect.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
ADF&G issues Sand Point commercial salmon fishery advisory #05
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued Sand Point Commercial Salmon Fishery Advisory Announcement #05 on June 15, 2026, implementing Emergency Order #4-FS-M-SP-03-26 for the South Alaska Peninsula commercial salmon fishery under measures established at the February 2026 Board of Fisheries meeting.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Russian River Sanctuary opens early June 18 for sockeye season
ADF&G is opening the Russian River Sanctuary Area nearly four weeks early, starting June 18, after weir and sonar data project the 22,000-42,000 sockeye escapement goal will be met; fly-fishing-only rules and standard bag limits apply through July 14.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Bristol Bay Igushik set gillnet season opens June 15 with 15-hour blocks
ADF&G announced commercial set gillnet openings for the Igushik Section of the Bristol Bay Management Area beginning June 15, with initial 15-hour periods subject to market availability and run strength. Permit holders are advised to monitor official fishery announcements for potential timing adjustments.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
ADF&G opens youth-only fishing events across Southcentral, Southwest Alaska
ADF&G's Division of Sport Fish has scheduled youth-only fishing opportunities throughout summer 2026 in Southcentral and Southwest Alaska; families need to check the June Reel Times issue for dates, locations, and eligibility rules before heading out.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Yukon River gillnet ban hits lower river villages through July 5
ADF&G closed all gillnets in the Yukon River Coastal District and Districts 1 and 2, effective June 11, 2026, as an in-season management action to protect Chinook and summer chum salmon. The closure affects subsistence and commercial fishers across more than a dozen lower Yukon communities.
by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Alaska Board of Game proposes hunting, trapping rules for Ambler Road
The Alaska Board of Game is proposing regulations to govern hunting and trapping near the proposed 211-mile Ambler Road in Northwest Alaska, with public comment open until July 16.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Kotzebue Sound crab opener set for June 15 with no buyers registered
Alaska Department of Fish and Game opens the 2026 summer commercial red king crab fishery in Kotzebue Sound on June 15 with a 10,000-pound harvest limit, but no buyers have registered for the season, forcing permit holders to find their own markets or obtain catcher-seller permits.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Sockeye fishing at Resurrection River mouth swings day-to-day
Sockeye salmon fishing at the Resurrection River mouth has been very good over the past week, but anglers should expect day-to-day variability as the hatchery's cost-recovery vessel harvests fish to fund operations.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
The Eklutna Tailrace is the only open king salmon fishery in the Mat-Su
Emergency orders closed king salmon fishing across the Susitna River drainage, Little Susitna River, and West Cook Inlet, leaving the Eklutna Tailrace as the sole remaining location for king salmon harvest in Northern Cook Inlet during the peak third week of June.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Fairbanks landowners can claim 50% reimbursement for salmon habitat
ADF&G is accepting proposals through July 14 for a cost-share program that reimburses up to half the cost of streambank rehabilitation projects in the Tanana Watershed, with limited funds available on a competitive basis.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Anchor River opens catch-and-release king salmon fishing June 13-17
The Anchor River will open to catch-and-release king salmon fishing June 13-15 and June 17 after weir counts projected a run of 3,800 fish—within the sustainable escapement goal and 20% ahead of recent timing.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Don't eat the clams: ADF&G can't tell Juneau harvesters which beaches are safe — because nobody's regularly testing
Alaska Department of Fish and Game does not recommend harvesting clams from Juneau-area waters because no beaches are regularly monitored for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxins, leaving diggers at risk of poisoning.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Chitina opens full 168-hour dipnet week starting Monday, even as counts run behind projection
Alaska Department of Fish and Game will open the Chitina personal use dipnet fishery for 168 hours June 15–21 even though Miles Lake sonar counted 5,637 fewer salmon than projected for the first week of June. The department is relying on historical timing patterns and recent harvest rates.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Alaska sport fishing rules frozen despite new booklets
Sport fishing regulation changes adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries during three 2025/2026 meetings are not yet in effect. Anglers relying on the printed 2026 booklet could mistakenly follow unenforceable rules.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Anchorage Assembly to consider letting licensed wildlife operators use air guns in city limits
Assembly member Zac Johnson has proposed letting state-licensed nuisance-wildlife operators use air rifles and air pistols inside city limits while performing licensed work. The ordinance would add an exception to existing municipal weapons code.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Bristol Bay fishery opens under old rules as new regs stall in review
The 2026 season started June 1 under a patchwork of 2022 and 2025 regulations after the Alaska Department of Law held up Board of Fisheries rules adopted in January. Permit holders expected updated vessel specs and king salmon retention requirements to be in effect.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
ADF&G opens six Kodiak sections to commercial fishing, bans large Chinook retention
Commercial fishermen face a second consecutive season under emergency king salmon retention restrictions while key Karluk and Ayakulik sections remain closed through mid-July, directly constraining early-season harvest opportunities and income for Kodiak's purse seine fleet.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Alaska closes Yukon subsistence salmon fishing through early June
Alaska closed Chinook and summer chum subsistence fishing across Yukon River districts through early June, with runs projected well below escapement goals. Affected communities include Grayling, Anvik, Kaltag, Nulato, and a dozen others in the Koyukuk drainage.
by Alaska News3mo ago1 min read
Southeast outer coast lingcod fishery closes after hitting quota
ADF&G closed the Southern Southeast Outer Coast directed lingcod fishery June 5 after the sector hit its 50,100-pound allocation. The closure affects commercial groundfish vessels targeting lingcod from shore to 3 nautical miles out.
by Alaska Newsadded 3mo ago1 min read
Anchorage Assembly to vote on free land for natural burial cemetery
The Municipality of Anchorage will vote on transferring a 9.6-acre public parcel valued at $583,000 to a nonprofit for free to establish a natural burial cemetery. The deal bypasses taxpayer-funded cemetery expansion after voters rejected a $4.1 million bond in 2024.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Alaska wants to clear 1,000 more acres for the Delta bison herd
The state wants to clear 1,000 acres of forest to expand winter feeding grounds for the Delta bison herd. The project needs federal environmental review. Public comment is open through July 15.
by Alaska News3mo ago3 min read
Hatchery groups cite NOAA Chinook decision as validation
Alaska hatchery operators point to NOAA's decision not to list Gulf of Alaska Chinook as endangered as federal support for hatchery management. Critics say the regional review scale hides local population declines.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Norton Sound king salmon fishing closed for the season
ADF&G closed sport fishing for king salmon across all Norton Sound freshwater drainages Friday, including Unalakleet, Shaktoolik, and Koyuk rivers. No salmon have reached nearshore waters yet.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
ADF&G opens Copper River drift gillnet fishery Thursday for 24 hours
Alaska Department of Fish and Game announces 24-hour commercial drift gillnet opening in Copper River District starting Thursday morning, with conservative Chinook management despite strong overall sonar counts.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Alaska opens Chitina dipnet fishery despite Copper River run 55% low
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened the Chitina personal use dipnet fishery for 60 hours starting Friday despite the Copper River salmon run tracking 55 percent below target through June 1. Subsistence fishers report low catches since the Glennallen opening.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Yukon River sport fishing closed for kings and chums through 2026 as seven-year rebuilding effort continues
Emergency orders closed the entire Yukon River drainage to sport fishing for king and chum salmon, including catch-and-release, due to poor run forecasts and a seven-year U.S.-Canada agreement protecting Canadian-origin Chinook through 2030.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
ADF&G closes Tanana king salmon sport fishing through September
Emergency Order 3-KS-U-01-26 closes all sport fishing for king salmon in the Tanana River drainage, including catch-and-release, because the Yukon River king salmon run is forecast to come in below average. The closure affects anglers across the drainage's major rivers.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Haines State Forest draft opens timber harvest in habitat areas
The Alaska Division of Forestry released a draft management plan Wednesday that would allow commercial timber harvest in Haines State Forest wildlife habitat and public recreation areas for the first time since 2002. Harvests would face size limits and require coordination with Fish and Game.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min read
Aniak River closed to all king salmon fishing, including catch-and-release
ADF&G closed the Aniak River drainage to all sport fishing for king salmon—including catch-and-release—from June 5 through July 25, citing persistently low spawning escapement in the tributary despite overall Kuskokwim run health.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Chitina dipnet fishery opens Friday for 60 hours
ADF&G reduced the June 12–14 Chitina dipnet opening to 60 hours after Miles Lake sonar counted 30,412 fewer salmon than projected during the May 25–31 monitoring period. The cut removes 48 hours from the preseason schedule.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
The Mat-Su Valley's king salmon fisheries are closed — Anchorage's closest king water joins the Kenai on the bench
Three emergency orders closed all king salmon fishing in the Susitna River drainage, Little Susitna River, and West Cook Inlet Management Area. The closures shut down the region's most popular early-season fishery just as the first kings arrived at Eklutna Tailrace and Little Susitna weir.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
The Kenai's kings are closed again — another summer without Alaska's most iconic salmon
Emergency orders have closed all king salmon fishing on the Kenai River from May 1 through August 15, 2026, including catch-and-release, while fishing for other species remains open under gear restrictions.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
ADF&G extends yelloweye rockfish closure in Resurrection Bay through June
Emergency Order 2-RF-7-20-26 bars retention of yelloweye rockfish through June 30 and cuts overall rockfish bag limits in Resurrection Bay and North Gulf Coast waters. The restrictions hit anglers during the early summer season.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Prince William Sound's spot shrimp are in decline — and harvesters have until Monday to pull gear
Prince William Sound recreational and subsistence shrimp harvesters have until June 8 to pull gear and file reports under an emergency order that cut the season short and reduced pot limits to two per person.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read