Can I Keep?Sablefish (black cod) Regulations in Alaska (2026)
Anoplopoma fimbria
Recreational sablefish (black cod) rules in Alaska saltwater, as published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Sablefish (black cod) rules in Alaska
- Where
- Southeast Alaska salt waters (ocean)
- Size limit
- Alaska residents: 6 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit. Nonresidents: 4 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. There is a 8 fish annual limit, harvest record required. See page 4.
- Bag limit
- Alaska residents: 6 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit. Nonresidents: 4 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. There is a 8 fish annual limit, harvest record required. See page 4.
- Possession
- Alaska residents: 6 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit. Nonresidents: 4 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. There is a 8 fish annual limit, harvest record required. See page 4.
- Season
- The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all species, except for halibut, lingcod, demersal shelf rockfish, Tanner crab, shrimp, and resident king crab fisheries, and unless otherwise noted below or in special regulations.
- Nonresidents: 4 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. There is a 8 fish annual limit, harvest record required. See page 4.
Commercial rules
Show 5 commercial rules
- Where
- Southeast Alaska – Northern Southeast Inside Subdistrict (ocean)
- Season
- (a) In the Eastern Gulf of Alaska Area, sablefish may be taken only as follows: (1) in the Northern Southeast Inside Subdistrict, from 8:00 a.m. August 15 until 12:00 noon November 15;
- Where
- Southeast Alaska – Southern Southeast Inside Subdistrict (ocean)
- Season
- (2) in the Southern Southeast Inside Subdistrict, from 8:00 a.m. June 1 until 12:00 noon November 15.
- Where
- Prince William Sound Area (ocean)
- Season
- (b) Sablefish may be taken in the Inside District beginning when the individual fishing quota halibut season opens, through December 31, unless closed earlier by emergency order. There is no open season for commercial sablefish fishing in the Outside District.
- Where
- Cook Inlet Area (ocean)
- Season
- (c) Sablefish may only be taken from April 15 until closed by emergency order.
- Where
- Kodiak Area (ocean)
- Season
- (d) There is no open fishing season for a directed fishery for sablefish in the Kodiak Area.
Quick answers
What is the sablefish (black cod) size limit in Alaska?
Alaska residents: 6 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit. Nonresidents: 4 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. There is a 8 fish annual limit, harvest record required. See page 4..
How many sablefish (black cod) can I keep in Alaska?
Alaska residents: 6 per day, 6 in possession, no size limit. Nonresidents: 4 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit. There is a 8 fish annual limit, harvest record required. See page 4..
When is sablefish (black cod) season in Alaska?
The salt water sport fishing season is open year-round for all species, except for halibut, lingcod, demersal shelf rockfish, Tanner crab, shrimp, and resident king crab fisheries, and unless otherwise noted below or in special regulations.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
More groundfish & flatfish in Alaska
All Alaska saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Most anglers need a Alaska saltwater license or registry: get one here.