(Sitka) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is announcing changes to the Southeast Alaska marine sport fishery regulations for king salmon. The following regulations will be effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

The regulations for nonresident anglers are:

• The nonresident bag and possession limit remains at two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• The nonresident annual limit is four king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; This is an increase of 1 fish annually (from 3 to 4).
• Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon a nonresident must enter the species, date and location on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

The regulations for Alaska residents fishing within state waters are:

• Bag and possession limit of three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• No annual limit for resident anglers within state waters;

When fishing in the exclusive economic zone or EEZ (between 3-200 nautical miles from shore), all anglers must comply with the regulations established for nonresident anglers. Both residents and nonresidents are subject to a two fish daily bag limit and four fish annual limit for king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.

The sport fishery is being managed to remain within the sport harvest target of 43,600 king salmon. Nonresident anglers were previously limited to three king salmon annually beginning on July 10. However, due to lower than anticipated harvest, the nonresident annual limit is increased to four king salmon annually between August 1 and September 30. King salmon harvested prior to July 31 will apply toward the four fish nonresident annual harvest limit. The sport harvest of king salmon will continue to be monitored and additional changes may be necessary.

In areas where special regulations have been issued to provide additional opportunity for Alaska hatchery-produced king salmon (Juneau designated saltwater hatchery area, Blind Slough/Wrangell Narrows terminal harvest area near Petersburg, and Herring Bay near Ketchikan) special regulations continue to apply.

Special regulations that provide protection for wild king salmon stocks throughout the summer in Seymour Canal (near Juneau) and in the Ketchikan Area, will remain in place and are unaffected by this regulation change.

#26-4096