(Juneau) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is ending the freshwater sport fishing guide logbook program effective May 26, 2019. Sport fishing guide businesses will no longer need to obtain and complete freshwater logbooks, and freshwater sport fishing guides will no longer be required to complete a logbook sheet at the conclusion of each fishing trip. However, this will not eliminate the guide/business registration or vessel registration requirement for freshwater guides and businesses. In order to provide freshwater sport fishing services and freshwater sport fishing guide services, a business and guide must be registered with ADF&G and the vessels used to provide these services must be registered and have the annual sticker in place.

This action was a result of ADF&G’s budget reduction process. Previously, the freshwater logbook program was funded by an industry license fee, that enabled it to be a self-supporting program. Until legislation is adopted that re-implements a freshwater guide/business license fee, there will likely be no freshwater logbook program. The saltwater logbook program will remain in place since ADF&G has agreed to provide that data for Southeast Alaska king salmon treaty obligations and federal halibut management actions.

For additional information, please contact Division of Sport Fish Deputy Director Tom Taube at (907) 465-6184.

#19-2733