Nature & Outdoors
RSSAlaska News covers outdoor recreation, trails, parks, wildlife viewing, fishing closures, and safety in Alaska's natural areas.
Alaska seeks control of hazardous waste program as rural areas face shift
EPA tentatively approved Alaska taking over hazardous waste oversight from federal control by August 2026. • Public comment period runs through July 2, 2026 on the shift. • Rural communities and tribes worry state agency may not enforce rules as strictly as EPA did. • Businesses may see faster permitting but face uncertainty during transition to state standards.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
House Finance adds feral cat spay-neuter provisions to invasive species bill
The Alaska House Finance Committee voted 9-2 to amend an invasive species management bill to include provisions allowing spaying and neutering of feral and community cats without landowner permission, despite objections that the additions were unrelated to the bill's original purpose.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Alaska Senate Passes Statewide Styrofoam Ban for Restaurants
The Alaska Senate voted 13-7 Monday to ban polystyrene food containers at restaurants statewide, citing health and environmental concerns, with the measure taking effect January 1, 2027.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
House approves stricter hunting residency rules in divided vote
The Alaska House of Representatives voted 24-16 Sunday to approve new residency standards for hunting and fishing licenses, with the measure set to take effect in 2028.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readLate breakup delays Chitina dipnet season; salmon run expected late
The Chitina Personal Use dip net fishery is tentatively scheduled to open June 10, 2026, delayed by late breakup and cold temperatures that are expected to slow salmon migration timing in the Copper River drainage.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readOne Spot Left in Denali Wildfire and Wildlife Workshop for Educators
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has one remaining spot in its June 2026 Wildfire and Wildlife educator workshop in Denali National Park, part of its Wildlife Education and Outreach program's summer professional development offerings.
by Bill AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min readAlaska News Roundup: Gas pipeline tax fight, Point Thomson trade-off, and McNeil River access debate
This episode covers the week's major Alaska stories: a gas pipeline tax bill that added oil tax increases, the Point Thomson condensate trade-off for pipeline gas, Mount Edgecumbe enrollment crisis, and McNeil River bear sanctuary access proposals.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
Alaska Senate tightens hunting residency rules to match PFD standards
The Alaska Senate passed legislation Saturday requiring hunters to be physically present in Alaska for 180 days annually to qualify for resident licenses, mirroring Permanent Fund Dividend requirements.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read
Alaska Opens First Mountain Lion Hunting Season in Southeast
Alaska has approved its first mountain lion hunting season in Southeast Alaska, effective August 1, as the species expands north from British Columbia.
by Alaska News4mo ago1 min readYukon Chum Salmon Forecast Misses Escapement Goal, Triggers Fishery Closures
Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed Yukon River drainage chum salmon fisheries after the 2026 preseason forecast of 345,600 fish fell below the 500,000 minimum escapement goal, triggering automatic closures under state regulation.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readMcNeil River bear viewing access dispute revealed in survey results
Alaska Department of Fish and Game posted results from a McNeil River stakeholder survey that drew 741 responses, revealing access disputes that will keep operations status quo while the agency reviews feedback on transportation methods and bear viewing access.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readNome subsistence salmon fishers face new weekly schedule, 25-fish limits
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has established a Wednesday-to-Monday subsistence fishing schedule and 25-fish household limits for Norton Sound salmon fisheries in 2026, prioritizing escapement and subsistence needs over commercial harvest.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago3 min readFederal Decision Keeps Chinook Management in Alaska's Hands
NMFS ruled that Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon do not warrant ESA listing, preserving Alaska's state control over fisheries management after a court-ordered review deadline.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readCraig, 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 certain fish at sea before returning to Craig and Klawock ports to enable creel sampling for fisheries management data.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readUpper Copper River king salmon fishery requires new permit in 2026
Alaska Department of Fish and Game now requires a free individual permit for all anglers targeting king salmon in the Upper Copper River drainage, with mandatory harvest reporting by August 31, 2026.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readState to use fish pesticide in Sucker Lake to kill invasive pike
Alaska Department of Fish and Game will apply Rotenone fish pesticide to Sucker Lake in August 2026 to kill invasive northern pike, expanding a suppression program that has been limited to side sloughs since 2011.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min readKetchikan charter operators to discuss new fishing rules May 21
Alaska Department of Fish and Game will meet with Ketchikan charter boat operators on May 21 to discuss new sport fishing regulations for the 2026 season.
by Alaska News4mo ago1 min readSenate Panel Advances Bill Tying Hunting Rights to 180-Day Residency
The Alaska Senate Resources Committee voted 5-2 to advance legislation requiring residents to spend at least 180 days per year in Alaska to maintain hunting and fishing privileges, aligning those requirements with Permanent Fund Dividend standards.
by Alaska News4mo ago6 min read
City Creek king salmon site permanently closed near Petersburg
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has permanently closed the City Creek release site to king salmon retention near Petersburg, ending a hatchery program discontinued in 2022.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min readNew rockfish rules require Yakutat anglers keep fish intact longer
New Alaska regulations effective May 7, 2026, require Yakutat sport fishers to keep rockfish, lingcod, and king salmon identifiable and measurable until offloading, preventing immediate filleting on boats.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAnchor River Chinook Peak Shifts Two Weeks Later, Data Shows
Anchor River Chinook salmon runs now peak approximately 12 days later than historical patterns, shifting from mid-June to late June and early July according to ADFG data analyzed by local residents.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readKarluk River Chinook Collapse Triggers First Subsistence Closure
Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed Karluk River subsistence Chinook salmon fishing through December 2026 after escapement fell to 93 fish in 2025, 98 percent below the 3,000 to 6,000 fish goal.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readHalibut Landings Lag 80% Behind Quota as Prices Hit $7/lb
Alaska's halibut fishery has landed only 3.5 million pounds against a 19 million pound quota by early May 2026, an unusually slow pace despite strong $6 to $7 per pound dock prices across major ports.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min readSenate panel advances Ketchikan mariculture manager to Board of Fisheries
The Senate Resources Committee advanced Paul Cyr's nomination to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, which would give Southeast Alaska its first seat on the influential regulatory board in years.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
House panel hears bill to ease farmland leasing, lower costs for Alaska growers
The House Resources Committee heard testimony on HB 296, which would create a merit-based leasing program for state agricultural land at below-market rates and allow DNR to enforce agricultural covenants through civil penalties rather than land repossession.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min readShoulder-to-Shoulder Anglers Pack Kenai River as Salmon Runs Peak
Heavy crowds of anglers are packing the Kenai River in combat fishing conditions as late-run sockeye and coho salmon runs peak through September.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min readSenate panel advances compromise on fish processor sick leave
The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee advanced a compromise bill Thursday that limits paid sick leave for seasonal fish processors to 12 hours per month, capped at 48 hours annually, modifying voter-approved sick leave requirements.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
New sport fishing rules clarify handling of rockfish, salmon, lingcod
Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted new sport fishing regulations requiring anglers to keep rockfish, lingcod and king salmon identifiable and measurable until leaving the water, effective for the 2026 season.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min readBoard of Fish Nominees Face Questions on Public Process Erosion
Three Board of Fisheries nominees pledged commitment to transparent public process during legislative questioning focused on recent out-of-cycle decisions that changed Cook Inlet gear types despite overwhelming public opposition.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min readChignik King Salmon Meets Escapement Goal After Six-Year Drought
Chignik River king salmon reached the biological escapement goal in 2025 for the first time since 2019, raising questions about whether aggressive conservation measures should continue.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago6 min read
Board restricts Cook Inlet drift gillnet fishery to protect coho salmon
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted 4-2 to significantly restrict the Cook Inlet drift gillnet fishery through new fishing windows, area closures, and a 2-mile shoreline buffer to protect struggling northern Cook Inlet coho salmon populations.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago4 min read
Board Chair Survives Ethics Challenge Over Village Corporation Ties
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted 6-0 that Chair Marit Carlson-Van Dort has no conflict of interest despite her role as CEO of Far West Inc., a Chignik Bay village corporation that took a position on Area M fisheries in 2018.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Fish and Game closes Malina Bay herring fishery for season
Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed the Malina Bay herring fishery in the North Afognak District on April 29, 2026, for the remainder of the sac roe season.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min readAlaska Fishery Debates Reflect Broader Tensions Over Mixed-Stock Management
Alaska Peninsula fishery discussions mirror national struggles to balance commercial harvest with conservation in mixed-stock corridors where multiple salmon populations overlap.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago6 min read
Board Restricts Fishing Gear to Protect Chinook in Chignik, Area M
The Alaska Board of Fisheries approved multiple gear restrictions to conserve Chinook salmon stocks in the Chignik Management Area and South Alaska Peninsula, including reduced seine net depth and area closures.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
Board Cuts Area M June Salmon Fishing Time 30% to Protect Yukon-Bound Chum
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted 4-3 to reduce June commercial fishing time in Area M by approximately 30 percent and eliminate chum salmon harvest caps, shifting management authority to the department to protect Yukon and Kuskokwim River-bound salmon.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
Board of Fisheries Opens Statewide Meeting With Stock Concern Action Plans
The Alaska Board of Fisheries convened its statewide finfish and supplemental issues meeting on March 17, 2026, beginning with introductions, ethics disclosures, and presentations on action plans for Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim stocks of management concern.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago6 min read
House Passes Polystyrene Ban for Restaurants Despite Business Concerns
The Alaska House of Representatives voted 25-15 to ban polystyrene foam food service containers statewide, with supporters citing health risks and environmental damage while opponents warned of costs to small businesses.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
House panel hears bill to let small Alaska fishermen process, sell catch directly
The House Special Committee on Fisheries heard House Bill 356, which would create a 'microfisheries' pathway allowing small-scale commercial fishermen to process up to 5,000 pounds of fish onboard and sell directly to consumers with streamlined permitting.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Board considers trawl gear restrictions in Aleutian Islands state waters
The Alaska Board of Fisheries heard testimony on a proposal to close state waters west of 170° W. longitude to trawl vessels over 100 feet, with golden king crab fishermen reporting dramatic catch declines since 2014 while community development groups and processors opposed the closure.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read