Sport Fishing
RSSSport, charter, and personal-use fishing: derby culture, dipnetting, guide operations, sport regulation changes, angler community
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
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 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 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 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 readCity 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 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 readNew 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 readFish and Game Opens Two-Week King Salmon Fishery at Gunnuk Creek
Alaska Department of Fish and Game opens a two-week king salmon fishery at Gunnuk Creek near Petersburg and Wrangell from June 1-14, allowing residents two fish and nonresidents one fish while most surrounding waters remain closed.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read