2026 regulation year
Alaska King salmon (chinook) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Last updated
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.
Season
Highly drainage-specific. Many rivers under emergency closure; open windows announced by ADF&G Emergency Order.
– Kenai River (subject to in-season emergency change)
– Susitna drainage (subject to in-season emergency change)
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- Drainage-specific; commonly 1 / day when open
- Possession
- Drainage-specific; commonly 1 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- Drainage-specific minimums; varies by run and year
- Slot
- Some rivers have minimum length to retain (e.g., 20 in or 28 in)
- Trophy rule
- Many drainages: release of large breeders mandatory; check emergency orders
Gear restrictions
- 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
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Alaska waters:
Kenai River
Emergency-order management; size + slot rules; gear restrictions in upper-river zones
Yukon River
Closed or severely restricted in recent years; subsistence priority
Kuskokwim River
Closed or severely restricted; subsistence priority
Copper River
Drainage-specific bag and size; runs vary year-to-year
Susitna drainage
River-by-river emergency-order management
Official source
Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes the authoritative 2026 Alaskafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.