The 2012 Alaska fishing regulations have been published and are available on-line through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. I have summarized the new regulations for SE Alaska for king salmon catch with this post. On March 29th, ADFG released new saltwater, sportfishing regulations regarding the daily bag and possession (unpreserved) limits for king salmon for the 2012 season . For other Alaska salt waters and for freshwaters, read the regulations summary published by ADFG.
Alaskan Resident:
- Bag and possession limit is three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length
Nonresident:
- Bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; except during May 2012 when the bag and possession limit is two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length
- Annual limit is four king salmon 28 inches or greater in length
For Coho, Chum, Pink and Sockeye salmon, over 16 inches, the catch limits for 2012 will be six of each species daily and 12 of each species in possession.
New regulations for the management of non-pelagic rockfish for the 2012 season were also released on March 15th. The non-pelagic species are bottom dwelling and are extremely long-lived (15-75 years). They include the Yelloweye, Copper, Silvergray, Tiger, China and Quillback Rockfish. Pelagic rockfish (species found in Alaska waters are the Black, Yellowtail and Dusky Rockfish) are usually found at mid-water depths, near rocky structures in schools. For Southeast Alaska inside and outside waters all non-pelagic rockfish caught must be retained until the daily bag limit is reached. The new regulations include a map (page 11) of the non-pelagic rockfish management areas. For example, in Icy Strait, waters west of a line between Point Carolus and Point Adolphus are defined as outside waters. There are also different regulations on catch for residents and nonresidents:
Alaskan Resident, Outside Waters:
- Daily bag limit is two non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye rockfish
- Possession limit of four fish, two of which may be yelloweye
Nonresident, Outside Waters:
- Daily bag limit is two non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye
- Possession limit of four fish, one of which may be yelloweye
- Annual limit of one yelloweye rockfish
- Nonresident anglers must immediately record all yelloweye rockfish harvested, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record
Resident, Inside Waters:
- Daily bag limit is three non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye
- Possession limit of six fish, two of which may be yelloweye
Nonresident, Inside Waters:
- Daily bag limit is two non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye
- Possession limit of four fish, two of which may be yelloweye
- Annual limit of two yelloweye rockfish
- Nonresident anglers must immediately record all yelloweye rockfish harvested, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record
