Don’t get fined or penalized for fishing without a license. Alaska law requires a permit to fish in all bodies of water. FishingLicense.org will help simplify the process of obtaining your Alaska fishing license by providing you with all the information you need to complete your license application with the department of wildlife.
The type of fishing license available to you will depend on your residency status, the fishing area you intend to venture to and the particular fishing you would like to partake in.
The two general types of fishing permits in Alaska are sport fishing licenses and commercial fishing licenses. To get a fishing license in AK, either use the convenient online purchasing system of the Department of Fish and Game or request to receive the license by mail (note this is restricted to certain types of licenses). Licenses to fish in the state are available at different rates for residents, nonresidents, military members, civilians, juniors, adults, seniors, and disabled or nondisabled individuals.
To learn more about fishing licenses in the state, explore the topics below.
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In Alaska, anglers must buy a fishing license to protect and enhance the state’s aquatic resources. The rules apply to both residents and non-residents alike. If you are planning to fish for king salmon, you will need to purchase a king salmon stamp.
Residents must have a recreational license to fish in Alaska if they’re 18 and older. There are some exceptions, however. The following individuals are exempt:
To buy fishing licenses in AK, visit the Alaska online fishing license purchasing system: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/store. Harvest Record Cards are also available online: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/license/sportlicense/pdf/sf_harvest_record_card.pdf. You can pay with a debit or credit card and immediately print your license. Make sure to have the following information on hand:
You can also purchase your fishing license in one of the following ways:
Note: Depending on the type of license you purchase, licenses usually expire on December 31 annually
There are different types of Alaska license formats available:
If you have any questions regarding the licenses, get in touch with the Licensing staff at (907) 465-2376 or at adfg.license@alaska.gov.
Interested applicants may choose from four fishing licenses in Alaska, and based on several factors, you may qualify for one or more of the following fishing permits:
Before getting AK fishing permits, decide on the type of fishing you would like to partake in and review the related rules and regulations. Both sport and commercial fishing require a valid fishing license, whereas subsistence and personal use fishing may or may not require a license.
Alaskan commercial fishing is considered one of the most important industries in the country, and a number of requirements must be met before buying an AK commercial fishing permit.
Two types of commercial crew licenses are available, according to the longevity of the fishing activity. The seven-day commercial fishing license or the annual commercial fishing permit can be obtained via the AK DFG website. When buying a commercial fishing license in Alaska you are required to:
Sport fishing is available to anyone present in Alaska who does not plan to barter, trade, or sell his catch and who does not plan to use dipnets, seine nets, or gillnets to catch fish.
Alaska offers the following types of sport fishing licenses:
Varieties of the aforementioned licenses are available to applicants, based upon the residency of the anglers (resident, nonresident or alien) and whether or not they are a member of the military. The AK fishing license fees are generally more cost-effective for residents and for military members.
Individuals younger than 16 and older than 60 years of age are exempt from buying a sport fishing permits in Alaska. Note that they have to record their catch on a Sport Fishing Harvest Record Card, which is available for free.
| Resident License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual | $20.00 |
| Annual Low Income |
$5.00 |
| Annual for the blind |
$0.50 |
| Duplicate Replacement |
$5.00 |
| Duplicate Replacement for Low Income |
$2.00 |
| Resident King Salmon Stamp | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual | $10.00 |
| Duplicate Replacement |
$5.00 |
| Non-Resident License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | $15.00 |
| 3 Day | $30.00 |
| 7 Day | $45.00 |
| 14 Day | $75.00 |
| Annual | $100.00 |
| Annual Hunting and Sport Fishing | $260.00 |
| Annual Hunting and 1 Day Sport Fishing | $175.00 |
| Annual Hunting and 3 Day Sport Fishing | $190.00 |
| Annual Hunting and 7 Day Sport Fishing | $205.00 |
| Annual Hunting and 14 Day Sport Fishing | $235.00 |
| Duplicate Replacement |
$5.00 |
| Non-Resident King Salmon Stamp | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | $15.00 |
| 3 Day | $30.00 |
| 7 Day | $45.00 |
| 14 Day | $75.00 |
| Annual | $100.00 |
| Duplicate Replacement |
$5.00 |
| Non-Resident Military License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual | $20.00 |
| Annual Hunting and Sport Fishing | $60.00 |
| Duplicate Replacement |
$5.00 |
| Non-Resident Military King Salmon Stamp | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual | $30.00 |
| Duplicate Replacement |
$5.00 |
Subsistence fishing contains noncommercial traditional uses (food, fuel, shelter, tools, clothing), whereas fishing for personal use constitutes the taking of finfish, shellfish or other marine resources without the intention to sell them.
Subsistence and personal use fisheries are only available to Alaska residents and different regulations apply. To take part in either one, visit the website of the AK DFG and find out about the restrictions of certain fisheries and whether or not a permit is required.
Alaska residents have the option to further their fishing knowledge and education once they have obtained their licenses through appropriate courses and programs. For those seeking to improve their fishing skills, the D epartment of Fish and Game offers the below workshops and programs:
The BOW program aims to offer women hands-on workshops that will help perfect their fishing abilities. Interested applicants can reap the benefits of one-one instructor interaction, and those of any age or gender can attend.
The Rod Loaner programs is made available through the state department, which provides lends fishing equipment to any interested angler.
N umerous fishing organizations based in Alaska support avid anglers and aim to promote the sustainability of the state’s fishing industry. Read more about these organizations below.
The Alaska Charter Association’s mission is to safeguard the rights of recreational sport anglers in the state. The association also strives to act as the voice of the fishing industry on various levels, whether it is local, statewide or national.
The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation continuously works with state and national fisheries to increase the economic value and conservation of the state’s fishing industry. Plus, t he foundation also joins forces with numerous scientific organizations to find ways to improve the sustainability of the fishing industry.
Founded several decades ago, the United Fishermen of Alaska promotes and protects the interests of commercial fishing industry in Alaska. Representing several commercial fishing organizations, the UFA also supports the state management of fisheries.
