Can I Keep?Shrimp Regulations in Alaska (2026)
Recreational shrimp 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 Shrimp rules in Alaska
- Where
- Southeast Alaska
- Bag limit
- A permit is required. 3 pounds or quarts (whole or deheaded), no size restrictions. Areas closed to the taking of shrimp: Ketchikan: Clover Pass Area. See page 39. Prince of Wales: Twelve-Mile Arm. See page 35. Sitka Sound Special Use Area: See page 28. In 2026, the sport shrimp fishery near Juneau, Tenakee Inlet, Crawfish Inlet, Hoonah Sound, Kasaan Bay, and Skowl Arm is closed by emergency order. See the shrimp permit or emergency order for info. OTHER SHELLFISH
- Season
- Fishing for shellfish is open year-round except: Shrimp: March 1-April 30: Closed to sport and personal use fishing for shrimp.
- Alaska residents can harvest shellfish under sport, personal use, or subsistence regulations and nonresidents must harvest shellfish under sport regulations.
- Possession Limit: For all shellfish species in Southeast Alaska, the possession limit equals one daily bag limit.
- Nonresidents Sport Shellfish Regulations
- A permit is required. 3 pounds or quarts (whole or deheaded), no size restrictions.
- Sitka Sound Special Use Area: See page 28. In 2026, the sport shrimp fishery near Juneau, Tenakee Inlet, Crawfish Inlet, Hoonah Sound, Kasaan Bay, and Skowl Arm is closed by emergency order. See the shrimp permit or emergency order for info. OTHER SHELLFISH
Commercial rules
Show 3 commercial rules
- Where
- Southeast Alaska (Registration Area A) (ocean)
- Season
- 5 AAC 31.110. Shrimp pot fishing seasons and periods for Registration Area A. Except as provided in 5 AAC 31.145(d), in Registration Area A, shrimp may be taken by pots only from May 15 through July 31, unless closed earlier by emergency order.
- Pot gear (shrimp pot fishery)
- (d) The commissioner may, by emergency order, open a shrimp fishing season from October 1 through February 28 (winter season) in a district where the guideline harvest range was not reached during the season specified in 5 AAC 31.110 (summer season).
- Where
- Prince William Sound (Registration Area E) (ocean)
- Season
- (a) In the waters of the Inside District west of a line from Middle Point at 60° 20.00' N. lat., 147° 00.00' W. long., north to a point at 60° 40.00' N. lat., 147° 00.00' W. long., then northeast to the Coast Guard marker light on Goose Island at 60° 42.78' N. lat., 146° 43.63' W. long., to a point on Knowles Head at 60° 41.00' N. lat., 146° 37.50' W. long., shrimp may be taken from May 1 through September 15, as established by emergency order.
- Pot gear (shrimp pot fishery)
- Where
- Cook Inlet (Registration Area H) (ocean)
- Season
- 5 AAC 31.310. Fishing seasons for Registration Area H. There is no open fishing season for shrimp in the Cook Inlet Area.
Quick answers
How many shrimp can I keep in Alaska?
A permit is required. 3 pounds or quarts (whole or deheaded), no size restrictions. Areas closed to the taking of shrimp: Ketchikan: Clover Pass Area. See page 39. Prince of Wales: Twelve-Mile Arm. See page 35. Sitka Sound Special Use Area: See page 28. In 2026, the sport shrimp fishery near Juneau, Tenakee Inlet, Crawfish Inlet, Hoonah Sound, Kasaan Bay, and Skowl Arm is closed by emergency order. See the shrimp permit or emergency order for info. OTHER SHELLFISH.
When is shrimp season in Alaska?
Fishing for shellfish is open year-round except: Shrimp: March 1-April 30: Closed to sport and personal use fishing for shrimp.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Shrimp limits in other states →
More crabs, lobster & shrimp 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.