Fishing License for Alaska

2024 Alaska Fishing License 

To obtain a fishing license in Alaska, you can visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) website  https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=license.main or authorized license vendors across the state. Choose the appropriate fishing license type based on factors such as your residency status, age, and the duration of the license (e.g., annual, 7-day, or 1-day). 

Provide the required personal information, including your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number if applicable. Pay the applicable fee using a credit/debit card or other accepted payment methods. Once your application is processed, you’ll receive your fishing license either digitally or as a physical document, depending on your preference. Make sure to familiarize yourself with Alaska’s fishing regulations and guidelines to ensure compliance and a rewarding fishing experience. Be sure to check the 2024 Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishregulations.sport for the most up-to-date fishing regulations, size and creel limits.

 

2024

Sport Fishing

Trout Stamp

Resident – Annual*

$20.00

N/A

Non-Resident – Annual*

$100.00

N/A

*License Valid date of purchase thru December 31 of calendar year.

There are four different fishing licenses available for the state of Alaska: sport, subsistence, personal use, and commercial. Each type has specific requirements. There are a few exceptions that exempt a person from holding a fishing license for Alaska.

In this article, we’ll review the requirements for the four different types of fishing licenses in Alaska. Various purchasing options for Alaskan fishing licenses will be provided as well. 

What Are the Requirements for a Sport Fishing License in Alaska?

Any resident over the age of seventeen or non-resident over the age of fifteen must possess a sport fishing license to participate in sport fisheries for marine and freshwaters. If fishing for king salmon, an angler must purchase a King Salmon Stamp. You do not need a sport fishing license if you are over 70 or identify as a disabled veteran.

Anglers not required to possess a sport fishing license must have an Alaska Department of Fish and Game Identification Card. They need to keep track of their catch on a Sport Fishing Harvest Record Card to comply with state and federal catch limits. 

The price recently dropped for sport fishing licenses in Alaska. Check out this news story for more information.

What Are the Requirements for a Personal Use Fishing License in Alaska?

If you are an Alaskan resident who has lived in the state for more than one year over the age of seventeen fishing for personal consumption with any gear type other than rod and reel, you are required to possess a personal use fishing license. 

What Are the Requirements for a Subsistence Fishing License in Alaska?

Subsistence fishing licenses are only available for Alaskan residents who have lived in the state for over a year. Individuals who are fishing for personal consumption, bartering or trading, and some instances of selling fish are eligible to apply for a subsistence fishing license. Areas in which subsistence fishing licenses are valid to include non-densely populated areas.

Bodies of water in and around Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Palmer, Valdez, Kenai, Wasilla, Juneau, and Anchorage are not covered under subsistence fishing

What Are the Requirements for a Commercial Fishing License in Alaska?

Commercial fishing licenses for Alaska are available for both residents and non-residents. You’re allowed to use any gear type except dipnets and rod and reel. There are various agencies that issue licenses required to fish and sell the catch in Alaska. 

The Department of Revenue is the place to apply for and purchase a Fisheries Business License. The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission issues vessel licenses. The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Transportation handles food safety and product measurement if selling your catch. 

Where Can You Purchase Fishing Licenses in Alaska?

You can purchase Alaska fishing licenses online at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website –https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/. Alaskan fishing licenses are available for purchase at any Department of Fish and Game office. You can also purchase sport fishing licenses at many sporting goods stores or select licensed vendors.