Can I Keep?Alaska Saltwater Fishing Regulations (2026)
Recreational size limits, bag limits and seasons for 22 saltwater species in Alaska, from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Last checked November 7, 2026. Where a species has several rules (by area or water), the table shows the first; open the species for all of them.
Check what's open at your harbor today
Official Alaska regulations · Saltwater fishing license
Offshore & pelagic
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharks (except spiny dogfish) (5 rules) | 1 per day, 1 in possession, no size limit. There is a 2 shark annual… | 1 per person | The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all… |
Groundfish & flatfish
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demersal shelf rockfish | 1 per day, 2 in possession, no size limit. 1 per day, 1 in… | 1 per person | • Nonresidents: July 1-August 25: Open to demersal shelf rockfish… |
| Lingcod (10 rules) | — | 1 per person | • May 16-June 14: Open to lingcod fishing. • September 1-November 30… |
| Pacific halibut (5 rules) | Unguided anglers: 2 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. | Unguided anglers: 2 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. | • January 1-January 31: Closed to halibut fishing. • February… |
| Pelagic rockfish | 3 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit, except Sitka Area (CSEO)… | 3 per person | The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all… |
| Rockfish (4 rules) | — | Pelagic: 2 per day, 4 in possession. 1 per day, 2 in possession. | Fishing is open year-round for all species unless otherwise noted… |
| Sablefish (black cod) | Alaska residents: 6 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit… | Alaska residents: 6 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit… | The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all… |
| Slope rockfish | 1 per day, 2 in possession, no size limit. | 1 per day, 2 in possession, no size limit. | The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all… |
| Spiny dogfish (5 rules) | 5 per day, 5 in possession, no size limit, harvest record is NOT… | 5 per person | The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all… |
Salmon & trout
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chum, coho, pink & sockeye salmon (combo) (6 rules) | 16 inches or longer: 6 of each species per day, 12 of each species in… | 16 inches or longer: 6 of each species per day, 12 of each species in… | The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all… |
| King salmon (6 rules) | 28 in minimum | — | The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all… |
Crabs, lobster & shrimp
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue King Crab | Northwestern and Kuskokwim-Goodnews Areas Only: 6 per day, 6 in… | 6 per person | In the waters south of 60°N. Latitude, male king crab may be taken… |
| Dungeness crab (4 rules) | 6.5 in minimum | 12 per person | Fishing is open year-round for all species unless otherwise noted… |
| King crab (3 rules) | 6.5 in minimum | 6 per person | • Kodiak Area: Closed to all king crab species. |
| Red King Crab | 4.75 in minimum | 6 per person | In the waters south of 60°N. Latitude, male king crab may be taken… |
| Shrimp | — | A permit is required. 3 pounds or quarts (whole or deheaded), no size… | Fishing for shellfish is open year-round except: Shrimp: March… |
| Tanner crab (4 rules) | 5.5 in minimum | 6 per person | Fishing is open year-round for all species unless otherwise noted… |
Clams, oysters & scallops
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abalone | — | Abalone: Closed year-round. | — |
| Geoducks | — | Geoducks: Closed year-round. | — |
| Other shellfish including octopus & squid | — | No bag or possession limits. | Open year-round. |
| Razor clams (3 rules) | — | 10 per person | Seasons: Fishing for shellfish is open year-round except: • Tanner… |
| Scallops | — | Scallops: 5 rock scallops (Hinnites sp.) and 10 weathervane scallops… | Seasons: Fishing for shellfish is open year-round except: • Tanner… |