Rockfish Regulations in Alaska (2026)

Where

Cook Inlet & Kachemak Bay salt waters (ocean)

Bag limit

Pelagic: 2 per day, 4 in possession. 1 per day, 2 in possession.

Possession

Pelagic: 2 per day, 4 in possession. 1 per day, 2 in possession.

Season

Fishing is open year-round for all species unless otherwise noted below or in special regulations.

• In 2026, by emergency order the following apply:

Official source

Where

Prince William Sound salt waters (ocean)

Bag limit

3 per day, 6 in possession, only 1 per day, 1 in possession may be a nonpelagic rockfish.

Possession

3 per day, 6 in possession, only 1 per day, 1 in possession may be a nonpelagic rockfish.

Season

Fishing is open year-round for all species unless otherwise noted below or in special regulations.

• Charter operators and their crew are prohibited from keeping rockfish while clients are on board.

Official source

Where

Kodiak Island, Alaska Peninsula & Aleutian Islands salt waters (ocean)

Bag limit

5 per day, 10 in possession, only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be a single rockfish species, only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a yelloweye rockfish, and only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a black rockfish. In 2026, in the salt waters of Afognak and Shuyak islands, north of the latitude of Tonki Cape (north of 58°21.181’N. lat.) and north of the latitude of Black Cape (north of 58°24.583’N. lat.), inclusive of all waters between these points, by emergency order: 3 per day, 3 in possession, and only 1 may be a single rockfish species. 5 per day, 10 in possession, only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be nonpelagic (see page 34), only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a yelloweye rockfish. 10 per day, 20 in possession.

Possession

5 per day, 10 in possession, only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be a single rockfish species, only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a yelloweye rockfish, and only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a black rockfish. In 2026, in the salt waters of Afognak and Shuyak islands, north of the latitude of Tonki Cape (north of 58°21.181’N. lat.) and north of the latitude of Black Cape (north of 58°24.583’N. lat.), inclusive of all waters between these points, by emergency order: 3 per day, 3 in possession, and only 1 may be a single rockfish species. 5 per day, 10 in possession, only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be nonpelagic (see page 34), only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a yelloweye rockfish. 10 per day, 20 in possession.

Season

Fishing is open year-round for all species unless otherwise noted below or in special regulations.

• In 2026, in the salt waters of the westside of Kodiak and Afognak islands north of the latitude of Cape Ikolik and on the eastside of Kodiak and Afognak islands north of the latitude of Dangerous Cape by emergency order:
• 5 per day, 10 in possession, only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be a single rockfish species, only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a yelloweye rockfish, and only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a black rockfish. In 2026, in the salt waters of Afognak and Shuyak islands, north of the latitude of Tonki Cape (north of 58°21.181’N. lat.) and north of the latitude of Black Cape (north of 58°24.583’N. lat.), inclusive of all waters between these points, by emergency order:

Official source

Where

North Gulf Coast salt waters (ocean)

Bag limit

2 per day, 4 in possession. Nonpelagic: 1 per day, 2 in possession.

Possession

2 per day, 4 in possession. Nonpelagic: 1 per day, 2 in possession.

Season

Open year-round In 2026, by emergency order the following apply: Pelagic: • April 1-June 30: No retention of yelloweye rockfish.

• Open year-round In 2026, by emergency order the following apply:

Official source