{"state":{"slug":"alaska","abbr":"AK","name":"Alaska","region":"Alaska"},"species":{"slug":"king-salmon","name":"King salmon (chinook)","scientificName":"Oncorhynchus tshawytscha","category":"anadromous","intro":"King (chinook) salmon are Alaska's state fish and the most-managed species in the state. Run failures have driven the Yukon and Kuskokwim to multi-year harvest closures; the Kenai, Susitna, and Copper systems run on river-by-river emergency-order management. Every angler chasing kings must check ADF&G emergency orders the day-of.","seasonSummary":"Highly drainage-specific. Many rivers under emergency closure; open windows announced by ADF&G Emergency Order.","seasonWindows":[{"start":"2026-05-15","end":"2026-07-31","zone":"Kenai River (subject to in-season emergency change)"},{"start":"2026-06-01","end":"2026-07-15","zone":"Susitna drainage (subject to in-season emergency change)"}],"dailyBagLimit":"Drainage-specific; commonly 1 / day when open","possessionLimit":"Drainage-specific; commonly 1 in possession","sizeLimit":"Drainage-specific minimums; varies by run and year","slotLimit":"Some rivers have minimum length to retain (e.g., 20 in or 28 in)","trophyRule":"Many drainages: release of large breeders mandatory; check emergency orders","gearRestrictions":["King salmon stamp required to harvest","Single hook only on most freshwater kings","Bait restrictions vary by river and run","Snagging prohibited in most waters"],"waterBodyOverrides":[{"waterBody":"Kenai River","rule":"Emergency-order management; size + slot rules; gear restrictions in upper-river zones"},{"waterBody":"Yukon River","rule":"Closed or severely restricted in recent years; subsistence priority"},{"waterBody":"Kuskokwim River","rule":"Closed or severely restricted; subsistence priority"},{"waterBody":"Copper River","rule":"Drainage-specific bag and size; runs vary year-to-year"},{"waterBody":"Susitna drainage","rule":"River-by-river emergency-order management"}],"citationSource":"https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingsportfishingregs.main","publishedAt":"2026-05-20","updatedAt":"2026-05-20"},"_meta":{"regulationYear":2026,"agency":"Alaska Department of Fish and Game","agencyUrl":"https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishregulations.main","generatedAt":"2026-05-20T20:08:20.300Z"}}