Alaska Administrative Code
Title 5 - Fish and Game
Part 2 - Sport Fishing and Personal Use Fishery
Chapter 67 - Bristol Bay Area
5 AAC 67.022 - Special provisions for seasons, bag, possession, and size limits, and methods and means in the Bristol Bay Area

Universal Citation: 5 AK Admin Code 5 AAC 67.022

Current through August 30, 2024

(a) Unless otherwise provided by emergency order, issued under AS 16.05.060, the special provisions regarding seasons, bag, possession, and size limits, and methods and means in this section apply to sport fishing in the Bristol Bay Area.

(b) In the Ugashik River drainage, the following special provisions apply:

(1) in the Ugashik Narrows (all waters from the outlet of Upper Ugashik Lake downstream to Lower Ugashik Lake), including those waters of Upper and Lower Ugashik Lakes within a one-quarter mile radius of the Ugashik Narrows, Arctic grayling may not be possessed or retained; all Arctic grayling caught must be immediately released;

(2) the waters of the Ugashik River downstream of Lower Ugashik Lake are closed to the fishing for Arctic grayling;

(3) in the Ugashik River drainage, including all lakes,
(A) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(B) from November 1 through June 7, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length.

(c) In the Egegik River drainage, the following special provisions apply:

(1) in the Egegik River drainage,
(A) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(B) from November 1 through June 7, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(2) in all waters within a one-quarter mile radius of the Becharof Lake outlet, Arctic grayling may not be possessed or retained; all Arctic grayling caught must be immediately released.

(d) In the Naknek River drainage, the following special provisions apply:

(1) in the Naknek River drainage, unless otherwise specified in this subsection,
(A) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, less than 18 inches in length; any rainbow trout caught that are 18 inches or greater in length must be immediately released;

(B) from November 1 through June 7, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, less than 18 inches in length; any rainbow trout caught that are 18 inches or greater in length must be immediately released;

(2) in all flowing waters of the Naknek River drainage, from March 1 through November 14, only unbaited, artificial lures may be used;

(3) in all flowing waters of the Naknek River drainage upstream from an ADF&G regulatory marker located at Rapids Camp (River Mile 24.25), including all waters within a one-quarter mile radius of all inlet and outlet streams into all lakes and ponds in this area, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used;

(4) in the Naknek River from an ADF&G regulatory marker located at Rapids Camp (River Mile 24.25) upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located at Trefon's Cabin, (outlet of Naknek Lake),
(A) April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed, except as provided in 5 AAC 67.022(d)(13);

(B) from March 1 through April 9, and from June 8 through July 31, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures with a hook gap between the point and the shank of one-half inch or less may be used;

(C) from August 1 through April 9, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used;

(D) sport fishing for king salmon is closed;

(5) in the Brooks River drainage, unless otherwise specified in this subsection,
(A) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(B) from November 1 through June 7, bag and possession for rainbow trout is five fish less than 18 inches in length; any rainbow trout caught that are 18 inches or greater in length must be immediately released;

(C) in all flowing waters of the Brooks River drainage, including all lake waters within a one-quarter mile radius of all inlet and outlet streams,
(i) from April 10 through June 7, sport fishing is closed;

(ii) from June 8 through October 31, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial flies may be used;

(iii) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(iv) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, less than 18 inches in length; any rainbow trout caught that are 18 inches or greater in length must be immediately released;

(6) in the Brooks River from the outlet of Brooks Lake downstream to the bridge at Brooks Camp, except during the sport fishing closure described in (5)(C)(i) of this subsection, all finfish species may be taken by catch-and-release fishing only, and may not be retained or possessed; all finfish caught must be immediately released;

(7) in the Savonoski River drainage, including the waters of Naknek Lake within a one-quarter mile radius of the mouth of Savonoski River, excluding American Creek,
(A) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(B) from November 1 through June 7, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(8) in the American Creek drainage,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing in closed;

(B) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(C) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(9) King Salmon Creek and Pauls Creek from an ADF&G regulatory marker located at each creek's confluence with the Naknek River upstream to the upstream sides of the Alaska Peninsula Highway Bridges are closed to sport fishing from June 1 through July 31;

(10) in King Salmon Creek and Pauls Creek upstream of the Alaska Peninsula Highway Bridges,
(A) sport fishing for king salmon is closed;

(B) the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, less than 18 inches in length; any rainbow trout caught that are 18 inches or greater in length must be immediately released;

(11) in the Big Creek drainage, upstream of its confluence with the Naknek River, king salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately;

(12) the bag and possession limit for king salmon is three fish 20 inches or greater in length, of which only one fish may be over 28 inches or greater in length; the annual limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is five fish, only three of which may be 28 inches or greater in length;

(13) a person 16 years of age or older may not sport fish in the Naknek River during the designated youth fishery day, which occurs on June 7; bag, possession, and size limits for rainbow trout are provided in (1)(A) of this subsection; for species other than rainbow trout, provisions under 5 AAC 67.020 apply;

(14) a person 16 years of age or older may not sport fish in the Naknek River from Rapids Camp above the ADF&G regulatory marker at 58° 37.42' N. lat., 156° 31.47' W. long., to 58° 37.37 N. lat., 156° 31.22' W. long., during the designated youth fishery day, which occurs on the second Sunday of July;

(15) a person 16 years of age or older may not sport fish in the Naknek River between the ADFG markers above and below King Salmon Creek, including King Salmon Creek, during the designated youth fishery day, which occurs on the second Sunday of August.

(e) In the Kvichak River drainage, excluding the Alagnak River drainage, the following special provisions apply:

(1) the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king salmon, is five fish, with no size limit, of which only two fish may be coho salmon, unless otherwise specified in 5 AAC 67.025;

(2) unless otherwise specified in this section, the following special provisions apply to rainbow trout;
(A) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(B) from November 1 through June 7, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(3) in the Kvichak River drainage, including all waters of Lake Iliamna within a one-half mile radius of its outlet, but excluding Lake Clark and its tributaries upstream of Sixmile Lake,
(A) from April 10 through June 7 all sport fishing is closed;

(B) the use of helicopters for transporting anglers and sport-caught fish is prohibited;

(4) in all flowing waters of the Kvichak River drainage, excluding Lake Clark and its tributaries upstream of Sixmile Lake, and including all waters of lakes within a one-half mile radius of all inlet and outlet streams, and excluding those waters in lakes not within a one-half mile radius of inlet or outlet streams,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) unless otherwise specified in this section, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used;

(C) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(D) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(5) in that portion of the Kvichak River drainage from an ADF&G regulatory marker located at the confluence of Yellow Creek upstream to the outlet of Iliamna Lake at Igiugig, including all waters of Iliamna Lake within a one-half mile radius of the lake's outlet,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) from June 8 through September 30, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(C) from October 1 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(D) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(6) in all flowing waters of the Copper River drainage downstream from Lower Copper River Lake and waters of Lake Iliamna within a one-half mile radius of the Copper River outlet,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) from June 8 through October 31,
(i) only unbaited, single-hook, artificial flies may be used; and

(ii) rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(C) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(7) in all flowing waters of Gibraltar River drainage and waters of Lake Iliamna, and within a one-half mile radius of the Gibraltar River outlet,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) from June 8 through October 31,
(i) only unbaited, single-hook, artificial flies may be used; and

(ii) rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(C) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(8) in the Iliamna River drainage, and waters of Lake Iliamna within a one-half mile radius of the Iliamna River outlet,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(C) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(D) from June 8 through April 9, Arctic char/Dolly Varden may not be possessed or retained; all Arctic char/Dolly Varden caught must be immediately released;

(9) in the Lower Talarik Creek, and all waters of Lake Iliamna within a one-half mile radius of the outlets,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) from June 8 through October 31,
(i) only unbaited, single-hook, artificial flies may be used; and

(ii) rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(C) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(10) in the Tazimina River from the falls, downstream to one mile upstream of its outlet into Sixmile Lake,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(C) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(11) in Upper Talarik Creek and the waters of Lake Iliamna within a one-half mile radius of the outlet of Upper Talarik Creek,
(A) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(B) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(C) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(12) in the Lake Clark drainage upstream of Sixmile Lake,
(A) from June 8 through October 31, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(B) from November 1 through June 7, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(13) in the Chulitna River drainage, the bag and possession limit for northern pike is five fish, less than 30 inches in length; any northern pike caught that are 30 inches or greater in length must be immediately released.

(f) In the Alagnak River drainage, the following special provisions apply:

(1) the use of helicopters to transport anglers and sport-caught fish is prohibited;

(2) the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king salmon, is five fish with no size limit, of which only three fish may be coho salmon;

(3) repealed 2/28/2010;

(4) in the Alagnak River drainage, excluding those waters in lakes not within a one-half mile radius of inlets or outlet streams,
(A) sport fishing is closed from April 10 through June 7;

(B) only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used;

(5) in the Alagnak River drainage,
(A) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; any rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(B) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, less than 18 inches in length; any rainbow trout caught that are 18 inches or greater in length must be immediately released;

(6) in all flowing waterss of the Morraine Creek drainage,
(A) from June 8 through October 31,
(i) only unbaited, single-hook, artificial flies may be used; and

(ii) rainbow trout may not be retained or possessed; all rainbow trout must be released immediately;

(B) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish less than 18 inches in length; any rainbow trout caught that are 18 inches or greater in length must be immediately released.

(g) In the Nushagak River drainage, excluding the Wood River drainage, and unless otherwise specified in 5 AAC 06.361 or 5 AAC 06.368, the following special provisions apply:

(1) the bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two fish, of which only one fish may be 28 inches or greater in length; the annual limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is four fish; the bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches in length (jack salmon) is five fish; after taking and retaining a bag limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length, a person may not sport fish with bait for the remainder of that day in the Nushagak River drainage, excluding the Wood River drainage;

(2) in the Nushagak River drainage upstream of its confluence of the Iowithla River, including the Iowithla River drainage, king salmon may be taken only from May 1 through July 24;

(3) sport fishing for king salmon is closed year round in the
(A) Kokwok River drainage and all waters of the Nushagak River within a one-quarter mile radius of the Kokwok River outlet;

(B) waters of the Nushagak River drainage upstream of its confluence with Harris Creek;

(4) only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used year round in the following waters:
(A) the Nushagak River drainage upstream of its confluence with Harris Creek to its confluence with Chichitnok River;

(B) in the Tikchik River drainage;

(C) in the Nuyakuk River from the outlet of Tikchik Lake to an island located about two miles downstream of Nuyakuk falls; and

(D) in all flowing water of the Mulchatna River drainage from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately one and one-half miles downstream of the confluence of the Mulchatna and Stuyahok Rivers, upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately one and one-half miles upstream of the confluence of the Mulchatna and Koktuli Rivers and all waters of the Stuyahok and Koktuli River drainages;

(5) in the Nushagak River drainage upstream of its confluence with Harris Creek, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(6) from May 1 - July 31, only one single-hook lure or one single hook may used, except as provided in (4) of this subsection;

(7) if the department adopts a reporting requirement, a harvest reporting form will be provided by the department to report the total number of king salmon harvested in the Nushagak River drainage for the current calendar year; if required, the report shall be submitted to the department by means specified by the department not later than November 30 of that year containing the following information:
(A) number of king salmon harvested;

(B) number of king salmon released;

(C) number of king salmon harvested greater than 28 inches in length;

(D) number of king salmon harvested between 20 and 28 inches in length.

(h) In the Wood River drainage, the following special provisions apply:

(1) the bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is one fish; the annual limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two fish;

(2) in the Agulowak River downstream from an ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Lake Nerka, including all waters within a one-half mile radius of its outlet into Lake Aleknagik,
(A) only unbaited, single-hook artificial lures may be used;

(B) the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is one fish, with no size limit;

(C) the bag and possession limit for Arctic char/Dolly Varden is two fish, with no size limit;

(3) in the Agulukpak River from the outlet of Lake Beverly to the island located 1.2 miles downstream;
(A) from September 1 through June 7, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used;

(B) from June 8 through August 31, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial flies may be used;

(C) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(D) from November 1 through June 7, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length;

(4) in Lake Kulik, the bag and possession limit for northern pike is five fish less than 30 inches in length; any northern pike caught that are 30 inches or greater in length must be immediately released.

(i) In the Negukthlik and Ungalikthluk River drainages, the following special provisions apply:

(1) from April 10 through June 7, all sport fishing is closed;

(2) only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used;

(3) from June 8 through October 31, rainbow trout may not be possessed or retained; all rainbow trout caught must be immediately released;

(4) from November 1 through April 9, the bag and possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish, of which only one fish may be over 20 inches in length.

(j) In all fresh water drainages between Cape Newenham and Cape Menshikof a person may not remove a king salmon from the water before releasing the fish.

(k) In the fresh waters of the Bristol Bay Area where the use of bait is not allowed, a sport fishing guide or a guide's client may not place in the water any substance for the purpose of attracting fish by scent, including

(1) fish eggs in any form;

(2) natural or preserved animal, fish, fish oil, shellfish, or insect parts;

(3) natural or processed vegetable matter; and

(4) natural or synthetic chemicals.

(l) In the Togiak River Drainage the following special provisions apply:

(1) only unbaited, single-hook artificial lures or flies may be used, except that bait and a single-hook may be used from July 16 to April 30;

(2) the bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches in length is 10 fish;

(3) any king salmon caught that are 20 inches or greater in length must be immediately released; and

(4) upstream of the confluence of Gechiak Creek and the Togiak River, sport fishing for king salmon is closed year round.

Authority:AS 16.05.060

AS 16.05.251

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