Ketchikan Southeast Alaska 2026 Demersal Shelf Rockfish Sport Fishing Season

(Sitka) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today the demersal shelf rockfish sport fishing season for nonresident anglers is being reduced from January 1- December 31 to July 1 – August 25. Seasons, bag, possession and annual limits for Southeast Alaska demersal shelf rockfish are below. Demersal shelf rockfish include yelloweye, quillback, tiger, China, canary, copper and rosethorn species.  

• Resident: 
  • Season: January 1 – December 31;
  • 1 daily, 2 in possession, no annual limit;
• Nonresident:
  • Season: July 1 – August 25.
  • 1 daily, 1 in possession, annual limit of one fish.
  • Immediately upon landing and retaining a demersal shelf rockfish, a nonresident must enter the species, date and location on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.
• All anglers:
  • When releasing any rockfish, anglers must use a deepwater release mechanism to return the fish to the depth it was hooked or to a depth of at least 100 feet.
  • All vessels must have at least one functional deepwater release mechanism on board and readily available for use when saltwater sport fishing activities are taking place.
  • When fishing in the exclusive economic zone (generally between 3-200 nautical miles from shore, see map below), all anglers must comply with the nonresident regulations.

  In January 2025, the Alaska Board of Fisheries modified sport fishing regulations to allow for limited harvest opportunity of demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye rockfish.   While limited harvest opportunity is being provided, a conservative management approach continues to be necessary to protect the sustainability of these species. A limited fishing season has been established for nonresident anglers to protect yelloweye rockfish during their reproductive cycle, which mostly occurs during early summer. These regulations are also designed to keep the sport harvest of demersal shelf rockfish within the sport allocation for Southeast Outside Waters. A helpful flyer is available on the Fish and Game website to assist anglers with identification of rockfish.   For further information, contact the nearest ADF&G office or visit: