ADFG General Sitka Fishing Regulations
ADFG sets the rules on state-managed fisheries in Alaska like salmon, while species like halibut are federally managed and the rules for that species are set forth by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council with input from the International Pacific Halibut Commission. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for implementing and enforcing these regulations.
The Sitka fishing regulations for 2025 are as follows.
• King salmon under 28 inches must be released. Upon landing of a legal-size king salmon nonresident anglers must record their catch on a harvest record. Bag, possession, annual and size limits will be available early spring each year after ADF&G completes the stock assessment.
• Anglers can keep six coho per day, no size limit.
• Anglers can keep six pink, chum, and sockeye salmon per day of any size.
• Black cod limit is four per day; nonresidents can keep eight per year and a harvest record is required.
• Lingcod season opened 5/16/25 and closes 11/30/25. Alaska residents can keep one per day of any size. Nonresidents can keep one per day, two per year, one must be between 30- and 35 inches and the other one over 55 inches. A harvest record is required.
• Halibut slot limits will be determined by early spring by federal fisheries managers.
• Anglers can keep two Pelagic rockfish per day with no size limit. Pelagic rockfish include Black, Blue, Dark, Dusky, Widow and Yellowtail.
• Anglers can retain one demersal shelf rockfish per year and the catch must be logged on your harvest record. These include Canary, China, Copper, Quillback, Rosethorn, Tiger and Yelloweye. ADFG asserts that all rockfish not retained must be released at the depth they were caught or 100 feet, whichever is shallower.
• Slope rockfish (Nonpelagic) can be retained, one per day of any size. These rockfish species include: Bocaccio, Brown, Chilipepper, Pacific Ocean Perch, Redstripe, Redbanded, Rougheye, Sharpchin, Shortbelly, Shortraker, Silvergray, Splitnose, Stripetail, and Vermilion.
Alaska Fishing License
All resident and non-resident anglers must have a valid Alaska fishing license with a king salmon stamp. Non-resident anglers must also purchase a halibut stamp in addition. These licenses must be printed, signed, and in possession the days we fish together. Obtaining your Alaskan fishing license and stamps is very easy, please use the link below to purchase these prior to heading to Alaska.
