Nature & Outdoors
RSSAlaska News covers outdoor recreation, trails, parks, wildlife viewing, fishing closures, and safety in Alaska's natural areas.
Prince William Sound's spot shrimp are in decline — and harvesters have until Monday to pull gear
Small shrimp, small drop, quick pull, one stop
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Bristol Bay's ice is starting to break — and it's about to set off a cascade of fish and fishermen
Lake Aleknagik's ice is breaking in southwest Alaska, triggering young salmon migration and opening the first fishing window of the season at stream outlets where trout and char gather to feed.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
ADF&G closes Eagle River to king salmon fishing
Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed king salmon sport fishing in Eagle River from May 1 through July 13 to protect returning fish, part of a broader pattern of emergency closures across Southcentral Alaska as king runs decline.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Darren Morgan Deacon files for Alaska State Senate District S
Darren Morgan Deacon, a former tribal chief from Kalskag, filed as a Republican for Alaska State Senate District S on a platform of full Permanent Fund dividends and subsistence rights protection.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago1 min read
Anchor River, Deep Creek closed through mid-July as king salmon returns fall short
Alaska closed Anchor River and Deep Creek to all fishing through July 15 due to weak king salmon returns on the Lower Kenai Peninsula, with gear restrictions continuing through July 31.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Kodiak king salmon bag limit cut to one fish as Karluk runs collapse
Alaska cut Kodiak king salmon bag limit to one fish per day and closed west side salt waters through June after only 93 kings returned to Karluk River in 2025, far below recovery targets.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Canoe capsizes on Tolsona Lake; rescue raft overturns; all reach island safely
A canoe capsized on Tolsona Lake near Glennallen on May 29, a rescue raft overturned, but all occupants wearing life jackets reached an island safely and were picked up by troopers and fire crews with no injuries reported.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
ADF&G opens youth-only king salmon fisheries on Kenai Peninsula
ADF&G opens youth-only king salmon fisheries at Ninilchik River on June 3 and Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on June 6, with loaner rods and staff support, while broader Kenai Peninsula king fishing remains closed to protect wild stocks.
by Bill AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
ADF&G warns moose attacks peak as calving season continues through June
Alaska Department of Fish and Game warns moose attacks peak through June as cows defend newborn calves, injuring more Alaskans annually than bears do.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
ADF&G opens Juneau hatchery area to king salmon retention June 1
Alaska Fish and Game opens a saltwater hatchery area near Juneau to king salmon fishing June 1 through August 31, allowing anglers four fish per day while the rest of the region stays closed until June 15.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
King salmon sportfishing slows in Yakutat marine waters after strong week
King salmon fishing slowed in Yakutat marine waters over Memorial Day weekend after a strong week earlier in May, though residents can keep two fish and nonresidents one under 2026 rules.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
King salmon closures spread across Mat-Su and West Cook Inlet as runs remain weak
Alaska closed all king salmon sport fishing in the Susitna drainage and West Cook Inlet
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Bristol Bay lakes still ice-covered as May ends, compressing early-season fishing window
Bristol Bay lakes remain ice-covered as of late May, delaying salmon fishing until mid-June on the Naknek and late June on the Alagnak, though resident fish like rainbow trout are biting well where access exists.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Eagle River king salmon fishing closed; Campbell Creek youth fishery catch-and-release only
Eagle River king salmon fishing is closed entirely and Campbell Creek's youth fishery will be catch-and-release only this June under emergency conservation orders for weak Southcentral Alaska runs.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
ADF&G closes Tanana River drainage to king salmon sport fishing through September 2026
Alaska Fish and Game closed all king salmon sport fishing in the Tanana River drainage through September 2026 due to a weak forecast for the Yukon River run, marking the second consecutive year of the ban.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Chitina dipnet fishery tentatively set for June 10; low rivers and ice flows could delay opening
Alaska Department of Fish and Game tentatively set the Chitina Personal Use dipnet fishery to open June 10, but low river levels and ice flows from Miles Lake could delay the opening pending sonar salmon counts in early June.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
DNR lifts moratorium on Nushagak Bay shore fishery lease applications
Alaska lifted a three year moratorium on commercial salmon fishing leases along Nushagak Bay's east shore, reopening applications from June 1 to October 15 each year.
by Alaska News4mo ago1 min read
Mat-Su hunter cited for using salmon, game meat as bear bait
Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Wasilla hunter Max Halter on May 16 for using salmon and grouse at his registered bear bait site, violating state rules that prohibit fish and game meat as bear bait.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min readADF&G launches three 24-hour fishing challenges for multi-species catches
ADF&G has launched three new fishing challenges for anglers who think catching one fish is too relaxing. Now you can spend 24 hours chasing trout, burbot, pike, halibut, lingcod, and the quiet approval of a commemorative sticker.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Tick found after Flattop hike shows Alaska's changing tick reality
A tick found on a pet after a Flattop hike near Anchorage has prompted veterinarians to remind residents that non-native ticks are arriving in Alaska and pet owners should check for them after outdoor activity.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
ADF&G to issue 10 mountain goat permits in Seldovia on June 10
ADF&G will 10 mountain goat hunting permits for Seldovia, first-come first-served to Alaska residents only.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Alaska closes cow caribou hunting in Western Arctic as the herd hits 121,000
Alaska bans cow caribou hunting across northwest regions. Western Arctic Herd fell to 121,000 animals, lowest in decades. Bull hunting remains allowed at 15 per resident through June 2027.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Wasilla pair sentenced for illegal Kodiak guiding operation
Two Wasilla men sentenced for running unlicensed hunting guide business near Kodiak that led to illegal deer and bear kills. Theodore Turgeon got six months prison and $20,000 fine, Charles Emmi got four years probation and $30,000 fine. Both banned from hunting and guiding work during supervision and must forfeit nearly $15,000 each.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min readKarluk River king salmon collapse triggers emergency fishing closures
Alaska closed king salmon fishing on Kodiak Island's westside through June 30 after Karluk River returns hit historic lows with only 93 fish last season. • River drainages stay closed through July 25 with strict gear limits and island-wide daily bag limit cut to one fish. • Commercial fishing also faces early-season closures as returns expected to remain critically low through early July.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
Kenai River king salmon fishery closed through mid-August 2026
Kenai River king salmon fishing closed May 1 through August 15, 2026 under emergency order. Third consecutive year of full closure due to conservation concerns. Other species fishing allowed with single-hook lures only. Nearby Kasilof River open to limited hatchery king salmon fishing.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Eagle River king salmon fishery closed for 2026 season
Alaska closed all king salmon sport fishing in Eagle River through July 13, 2026 due to weak fish populations and unmet escapement goals.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Mat-Su king salmon fisheries closed amid conservation concerns
Alaska closed king salmon fishing in Susitna River, Little Susitna River, and West Cook Inlet through July 2026 due to low salmon numbers. • Gear restrictions apply to all fishing in those drainages, even when targeting other species. • Eklutna Tailrace opens late May with king salmon available if you buy a stamp. • Rainbow trout and northern pike fishing open at other Mat-Su lakes.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Prince William Sound king salmon limits slashed to one fish
Alaska cut king salmon limits to one fish in most Prince William Sound waters to protect stocks with low productivity. • Terminal areas near Whittier, Cordova, Valdez, and Chenega keep two-fish daily limits. • Shrimp pot limits also reduced to two per person, season runs May 1 through June 8. • Anglers must buy 2026 sport fishing license and king stamp before fishing.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Kenai Peninsula: Two Major Rivers Closed Through Mid-July
Alaska closed Anchor River and Deep Creek to all fishing through July 15 to protect king salmon. Gear restrictions apply through end of July on these and other Kenai Peninsula streams. This is the third straight year of major king salmon fishing limits in the region.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
Bristol Bay Ice Lingers Late, Blocking Access to Fishing Spots
Ice and snow block most Bristol Bay fishing access as of late May, though the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says Wood River lakes and offshore halibut offer early season options for anglers who check regulations.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Cold Spring Delays Situk River Steelhead Spawning, Extends Fishing Season
Cold spring water has delayed steelhead spawning in the Situk River, keeping spring-run fish in the system longer and extending the fishing season through at least next week.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Seward: Yelloweye rockfish closure extended through June 30
Alaska closed yelloweye rockfish retention through June 30 and cut other rockfish bag limits to three per day through mid-September in Resurrection Bay and the North Gulf Coast to protect spawning fish.
by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Assembly transfers nine riverfront parcels to state for erosion control
Alaska borough transfers nine riverfront parcels to the state to build erosion barriers before the Matanuska River threatens the highway.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Mat-Su Planning Commission approves Deshka River watershed land classification
Mat-Su Planning Commission voted May 18 to classify borough-owned land along the Deshka River as watershed to protect cold-water salmon habitat, forwarding the resolution to the Assembly for final approval.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Hopson 1 crew strikes Utqiaġvik's first whale of spring season
Hopson 1 crew struck Utqiaġvik's first bowhead whale of spring 2026 season Saturday, marking an important catch for the Alaska Native community after a late start.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Ice Flows Delay Miles Lake Sonar, Chitina Dipnet Season in Limbo
Ice flows are delaying Miles Lake sonar equipment, pushing the Chitina dipnet season opening to a tentative June 10 noon start pending sonar data on salmon passage.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
King Salmon Fishing Closed Across Tanana Drainage Due to Yukon Forecast
Alaska closed all king salmon sport fishing in the Tanana River drainage on May 21 due to a below-average Yukon River forecast, affecting the Chena, Goodpaster, and Salcha Rivers.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Petersburg anglers now required to carry rockfish release devices
Petersburg anglers must carry rockfish release devices on all marine vessels and return unharvested rockfish to capture depth or 100 feet. • Residents can keep one demersal rockfish daily year-round. Nonresidents only July 1 through August 25. • King salmon season opened May 15 in Wrangell Narrows and Blind Slough Terminal Harvest Area.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago4 min readAlaska AG voids contested Area M salmon regulations after ethics challenge
Alaska attorney general voided five salmon regulations after board members failed to disclose conflicts of interest. • Fishing groups won relief through ethics enforcement instead of court. • Regulations would have restricted fishing time and added chinook catch closures. • Board must restart the process to readopt any rules.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
Craig, Klawock Anglers Face New Ban on Filleting Fish at Sea
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has banned marine anglers from filleting or de-heading lingcod, nonpelagic rockfish, and king or coho salmon at sea when returning to Craig and Klawock ports, requiring fish to remain whole for creel sampling.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read