ADF&G's Stocked Waters Challenges

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game “Stocked Waters Challenges” awards a certificate of recognition to individual or groups who successfully complete one or more of the below angling challenges.

Challenge option 1: “Five from Five”

Kids fishingThere are five different species of fish stocked by ADF&G - Chinook (king salmon), coho (silver) salmon, rainbow trout, Arctic char and Arctic grayling. The “Five from Five” challenge awards anglers who catch one of these species at five different stocked waters. No more than one species can count from any stocked water. For example, anglers are unable to submit a rainbow trout and an Arctic char from the same location. Any fish caught in any stocked water in Alaska counts toward successful completion of this challenge.

Anglers do not have to retain the fish they catch. Photographs of the angler with the fish at the water body where the fish was caught are required with submitted applications.

Any fish caught and submitted for this challenge must be caught using standard sport fishing gear (i.e., rod and reel or hook and line). In addition, fish must be caught using legal gear in waters open to fishing for that species.

Valid sport fishing licenses are required for any resident 18 years of age or older (those who hold a valid PID or DAV are included in this), and by any non-resident 16 years of age or older. Those anglers who do not require a sport fishing license are encouraged to participate in this challenge. We simply ask that the age of those participants be noted on the application.

Challenge option 2: “10 Lakes”

To accomplish this challenge, anglers must fish at any 10 stocked lakes around the state. Catching fish is not a requirement. Photographs of the angler at the water body are required with submitted applications. Fishing must be conducted using legal sport fishing gear (i.e., rod and reel or hook and line).

Valid sport fishing licenses are required for any resident 18 years of age or older (those who hold a valid PID or DAV are included in this), and by any non-resident 16 years of age or older. Those anglers who do not require a sport fishing license are encouraged to participate in this challenge. We simply ask that the age of those participants be noted on the application.

Option 3: “Two Over 20”

Many stocked lakes hold rather large fish. Anglers who catch two fish (doesn’t matter what species) over 20 inches in length can submit an application for the “Two Over 20” recognition certificate.

Anglers do not have to retain the fish they catch. Photographs of the angler with the fish at the water body where the fish was caught are required with submitted applications.

Any fish caught and submitted for this challenge must be caught using standard sport fishing gear (i.e., rod and reel or hook and line). In addition, fish must be caught using legal gear in waters open to fishing for that species.

Valid sport fishing licenses are required for any resident 18 years of age or older (those who hold a valid PID or DAV are included in this), and by any non-resident 16 years of age or older. Those anglers who do not require a sport fishing license are encouraged to participate in this challenge. We simply ask that the age of those participants be noted on the application.

Hansom Certificate

Application Process

Only one application form and photo release is required per individual or group for all Stocked Waters Challenges. Forms and photos can be submitted in digital or hard-copy format. Forms are also available by contacting the Stocked Waters certificate coordinator at: ryan.ragan@alaska.gov.

Mail hard-copy forms to:
ADF&G - Stocked Waters Challenges
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99508

Photo Release:

ADF&G wants to share the accomplishment of families who complete the challenge and may opt to use select images to promote the program or sport fishing in Alaska, such as in flyers, on our website, or on our official Facebook page. Whenever possible, ADF&G will credit the photographer and publish the names of individual(s) appearing in the photo(s). If you do not wish to have your family’s photos published, you may still participate in the challenges. To decline publication of your photos, do not include a signed photo release with your submission. Download the model release form.

Processing and Approval Process

Each application will be reviewed by ADF&G staff. If the application is complete and meets the certificate requirements, an official certificate with the individual angler’s name or family’s name will be mailed to the household.

Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing of submission.

Let's Go fishing! Let's Go fishing!