ADFG Sitka Area Regulations as of 2024
ADFG sets fishing regulations for nearly all of the saltwater species in the waters around Sitka, while the federal government in conjunction with ADFG, sets the regulations for halibut. The regulations listed below are based on our current information; we suggest that you look at all fishing regulations at the time you are fishing to be apprised of current developments, special changes to regulations and possible closures.
ADFG basic regulations can be found at ADFG.alaska.org. Follow the link to General Seasons and Bag Size Limits – Salt Waters. Here you will find regulations for saltwater salmon, lingcod, halibut, all rockfish, as well as black cod, Dolly Varden, steelhead, cutthroat and rainbow trout.
Resident vs. Non-Resident
There are certain species, like king salmon and lingcod, where nonresident anglers are subject to different regulations than resident anglers. Nonresident king salmon anglers require a harvest record and an annual bag limit. When it comes to lingcod, residents are allowed one per day of any size, while a nonresident can keep two lingcod per year. One must be between 30- and 35 inches and the other has to be over 55 inches. The season runs May 16-June 14 and August 1 through November 30. Harvest record is required.
Nonpelagic Rockfish
ADFG has closed the retention of Demersal Shelf Nonpelagic rockfish for non-residents. Resident anglers have a bag limit of one. These include canary, China, copper, quillback, rosethorn, tiger and yelloweye. You must have a deepwater releases mechanism, stout rod and a sizable ball of lead to descend these fish to either 100 feet or the depth at which they were caught. In fact, even if you aren’t targeting rockfish, you now need to have this setup on board and be ready to deploy it.
Retention of Slope Nonpelagic rockfish is one per day for both residents and non-residents. This includes; blackgill, blackspotted, bocaccio, brown, chilipepper, darkblotched, greenstriped, harlequin, northern, Pacific Ocean perch, Puget Sound, pygmy, redstripe, redbanded, rougheye, sharpchin, shortbelly, shortraker, silvergray, splitnose, stripetail, vermilion, and yellowmouth. Shortraker rockfish can sometimes be caught in the waters around Sitka. This identification guide is helpful.
For experienced anglers able to head out to deep water spots, sablefish (black cod) can be part of the target species. There is no size limit, and four per day of any size. Nonresidents get eight total and have to record them on a harvest record.
Pelagic Rockfish
Pelagic rockfish limit reduced for nonresidents to 2 per day for all the area normally reached by people renting our boats. Sitka Pelagic Rockfish Special Area – all the waters of Central Southeast Outside Section (CSEO map on page 22) regulations remain in place unless modified by an emergency order. Residents’ limits for pelagic rockfish are 4 per day, 8 in possession, no size limit. Nonresidents may keep pelagic rockfish with 2 per day, 4 in possession, no size limit.
Salmon
King salmon limits have been in flux, so check at the time you are going fishing. Kings usually need to be at least 28 inches for retention. Coho, chum, pink, and sockeye in combination, and over 16 inches, have six fish per day limits for all with no annual limit.
Halibut
ADFG sets some regulations for halibut. Unguided anglers fishing with rental boats from Fish Baranof get two per day of any size.
Guided anglers face regulations made by the federal government under international treaty. To see them, visit NOAA.gov.
In a nutshell these are the regulations for guided charter anglers: Reverse slot limits: From February 1 through July 14, retained halibut must be less than or equal to 40 inches or greater than or equal to 80 inches in length. From July 15 until the end of the season, retained halibut must be less than or equal to 36 inches or greater than or equal to 80 inches in length.
Friday closures. Charter vessel anglers in Area 2C may not catch and retain halibut (except GAF) on all Fridays beginning July 19, 2024 and continuing through September 13, 2024.