36 C.F.R. § 242.27
(a) Applicability.
(b) Methods, means, and general restrictions.
(1) Unless otherwise specified in this section or under terms of a required subsistence fishing permit (as may be modified by regulations in this section), you may use the following legal types of gear for subsistence fishing:
(2) You must include an escape mechanism on all pots used to take fish or shellfish. The escape mechanisms are as follows:
(7) You may use kegs or buoys of any color but red on any permitted gear in the following areas:
(11) Transactions between rural residents. Rural residents may exchange in customary trade subsistence-harvested fish, their parts, or their eggs, legally taken under the regulations in this part, for cash from other rural residents. The Board may recognize regional differences and regulates customary trade differently for separate regions of the State.
(12) Transactions between a rural resident and others. In customary trade, a rural resident may exchange fish, their parts, or their eggs, legally taken under the regulations in this part, for cash from individuals other than rural residents if the individual who purchases the fish, their parts, or their eggs uses them for personal or family consumption. If you are not a rural resident, you may not sell fish, their parts, or their eggs taken under the regulations in this part. The Board may recognize regional differences and regulates customary trade differently for separate regions of the State.
(13) No sale to, nor purchase by, fisheries businesses.
(16) Unless specified otherwise in this section, you may use a rod and reel to take fish without a subsistence fishing permit. Harvest limits applicable to the use of a rod and reel to take fish for subsistence uses shall be as follows:
(20) The taking of fish from waters within Federal jurisdiction is authorized outside of published open seasons or harvest limits if the harvested fish will be used for food in traditional or religious ceremonies that are part of funerary or mortuary cycles, including memorial potlatches, provided that:
(c) Fishing permits and reports.
(2) If a subsistence fishing permit is required by this section, the following permit conditions apply unless otherwise specified in this section:
(d) Relation to commercial fishing activities.
(e) Fishery management area restrictions—(1) Kotzebue Area. The Kotzebue Area includes all waters of Alaska between the latitude of the westernmost tip of Point Hope and the latitude of the westernmost tip of Cape Prince of Wales, including those waters draining into the Chukchi Sea.
(2) Norton Sound-Port Clarence Area. The Norton Sound-Port Clarence Area includes all waters of Alaska between the latitude of the westernmost tip of Cape Prince of Wales and the latitude of Point Romanof, including those waters of Alaska surrounding St. Lawrence Island and those waters draining into the Bering Sea.
(ii) In the Norton Sound District, you may take fish at any time except as follows:
(3) Yukon-Northern Area. The Yukon-Northern Area includes all waters of Alaska between the latitude of Point Romanof and the latitude of the westernmost point of the Naskonat Peninsula, including those waters draining into the Bering Sea, and all waters of Alaska north of the latitude of the westernmost tip of Point Hope and west of 141° West longitude, including those waters draining into the Arctic Ocean and the Chukchi Sea.
(iii) In the following locations, you may take salmon during the open weekly fishing periods of the State commercial salmon fishing season and may not take them for 24 hours before the opening of the State commercial salmon fishing season:
(iv) During any State commercial salmon fishing season closure of greater than 5 days in duration, you may not take salmon during the following periods in the following districts:
(vii) In Districts 1, 2, and 3:
(ix) You may not subsistence fish for salmon in the following drainages located north of the main Yukon River:
(xi) You may take salmon only by gillnet, beach seine, dip net, fish wheel, or rod and reel, subject to the restrictions set forth in this section.
(xv) Unless otherwise specified in this section, you may take fish other than salmon by set gillnet, drift gillnet, beach seine, fish wheel, long line, fyke net, dip net, jigging gear, spear, lead, or rod and reel, subject to the following restrictions, which also apply to subsistence salmon fishing:
(xvii) You must possess a subsistence fishing permit for the following locations:
(xx) In the Yukon River drainage, Chinook salmon must be used primarily for human consumption and may not be targeted for dog food. Dried Chinook salmon may not be used for dog food anywhere in the Yukon River drainage. Whole fish unfit for human consumption (due to disease, deterioration, and deformities), scraps, and small fish (16 inches or less) may be fed to dogs. Also, whole Chinook salmon caught incidentally during a subsistence chum salmon fishery in the following time periods and locations may be fed to dogs:
(4) Kuskokwim Area. The Kuskokwim Area consists of all waters of Alaska between the latitude of the westernmost point of Naskonat Peninsula and the latitude of the southernmost tip of Cape Newenham, including the waters of Alaska surrounding Nunivak and St. Matthew Islands and those waters draining into the Bering Sea.
(xiii) The maximum depth of gillnets is as follows:
(xv) You may take rainbow trout only in accordance with the following restrictions:
(5) Bristol Bay Area. The Bristol Bay Area includes all waters of Bristol Bay, including drainages enclosed by a line from Cape Newenham to Cape Menshikof.
(iv) Unless otherwise specified, you may take salmon by set gillnet, beach seine, and dip net.
(E) You may also take fish (except rainbow trout) with a fyke net and lead in tributaries of Lake Clark and the tributaries of Sixmile Lake within and adjacent to the exterior boundaries of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve unless otherwise prohibited.
(1) You may use a fyke net and lead only with a permit issued by the Federal in-season manager.
(2) All fyke nets and leads must be attended at all times while in use.
(3) All materials used to construct the fyke net and lead must be made of wood and be removed from the water when the fyke net and lead is no longer in use.
(v) The maximum lengths for set gillnets used to take salmon are as follows:
(6) Aleutian Islands Area. The Aleutian Islands Area includes all waters of Alaska west of the longitude of the tip of Cape Sarichef, east of 172° East longitude, and south of 54°36′ North latitude.
(iv) You may not subsistence fish for salmon in the following waters:
(7) Alaska Peninsula Area. The Alaska Peninsula Area includes all waters of Alaska on the north side of the Alaska peninsula southwest of a line from Cape Menshikof (57°28.34′ North latitude, 157°55.84′ West longitude) to Cape Newenham (58°39.00′ North latitude, 162° West longitude) and east of the longitude of Cape Sarichef Light (164°55.70′ West longitude) and on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula from a line extending from Scotch Cape through the easternmost tip of Ugamak Island to a line extending 135° southeast from Kupreanof Point (55°33.98′ North latitude, 159°35.88′ West longitude).
(iv) You may take no more than 250 salmon annually for subsistence purposes within the Alaska Peninsula Area. In the Russell Creek or Trout Creek drainages, for each household member listed on the permit, you may take no more than:
(A) King salmon:
(1) 20 inches or greater in length—2 fish daily;
(2) Less than 20 inches in length—10 fish daily.
(B) Salmon, other than king salmon:
(1) 20 inches or greater in length—5 fish daily;
(2) Less than 20 inches in length—10 fish daily.
(8) Chignik Area. The Chignik Area includes all waters of Alaska on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula bounded by a line extending 135° southeast for 3 miles from a point near Kilokak Rocks at 57°10.34′ North latitude, 156°20.22′ West longitude (the longitude of the southern entrance to Imuya Bay) then due south, and a line extending 135° southeast from Kupreanof Point at 55°33.98′ North latitude, 159°35.88′ West longitude.
(9) Kodiak Area. The Kodiak Area includes all waters of Alaska south of a line extending east from Cape Douglas (58°51.10′ North latitude), west of 150° West longitude, north of 55°30.00′ North latitude, and north and east of a line extending 135° southeast for 3 miles from a point near Kilokak Rocks at 57°10.34′ North latitude, 156°20.22′ West longitude (the longitude of the southern entrance of Imuya Bay), then due south.
(ii) You may take salmon for subsistence purposes 24 hours a day from January 1 through December 31, with the following exceptions:
(iii) You may subsistence fish for salmon with rod and reel only in the following locations:
(A) Womens Bay—All waters inside a line from the tip of the Nyman Peninsula (57°43.23′ North latitude, 152°31.51′ West longitude), to the northeastern tip of Mary's Island (57°42.40′ North latitude, 152°32.00′ West longitude), to the southeastern shore of Womens Bay at 57°41.95′ North latitude, 152°31.50′ West longitude.
(1) King salmon: bag and possession limit of two fish; no size limit; no annual limit.
(2) Salmon, other than king salmon, that are:
(i) 20 inches or greater in length; bag and possession limit of five fish, of which only two may be coho salmon and only two may be sockeye salmon.
(ii) Less than 20 inches in length; bag and possession limit of 10 fish.
(iii) From September 16 through December 31, the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 20 inches or greater in length, is one fish.
(v) The annual limit for a subsistence salmon fishing permit holder is as follows:
(10) Cook Inlet Area. The Cook Inlet Area includes all waters of Alaska enclosed by a line extending east from Cape Douglas (58°51.10′ N Lat.) and a line extending south from Cape Fairfield (148°50.25′ W Long.).
(i) General area regulations.
(D) All fish taken under the authority of a Federal subsistence fishing permit must be marked and recorded prior to leaving the fishing site.
(1) The fishing site includes the particular Federal public waters and/or adjacent shoreline from which the fish were harvested.
(2) Marking means removing the dorsal fin.
(J) Applicable harvest provisions are as follows:
| Location | Methods and means | Permit type |
|---|---|---|
| Kasilof River Drainage | Kasilof River dip net or rod and reel for salmon; Kasilof River fish wheel for salmon; Kasilof River gillnet for salmon | Household Annual Permit. |
| Kenai River Drainage | Kenai River dip net or rod and reel for salmon; Kenai River gillnet for salmon | Household Annual Permit. |
| Kasilof River Drainage | Tustumena Lake rod and reel for salmon; Kasilof River drainage rod and reel for resident species | General Subsistence Fishing Permit (Daily/Possession Limits). |
| Kenai River Drainage | Kenai River rod and reel only for salmon; Kenai River and tributaries under ice jigging and rod and reel for resident species | General Subsistence Fishing Permit (Daily/Possession Limits). |
| Tustumena Lake | Tustumena Lake under ice fishery | Tustumena Lake Winter Permit. |
(1) Harvest limits may not be accumulated.
(2) Each household may harvest its annual salmon limits in one or more days.
(3) All salmon harvested as part of a household annual limit must be reported to the Federal in-season manager within 72 hours of leaving the fishing site.
(4) For Ninilchik residents, the household annual limits for Chinook salmon in the Kasilof River and for late-run Chinook salmon in the Kenai River are combined.
(ii) Seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means for Kasilof River fisheries. Household annual limits for salmon in Kasilof River fisheries are as follows:
| Species | Number offish allowedfor eachpermit holder | Additionalfish allowedfor eachhouseholdmember |
|---|---|---|
| Sockeye | 25 | 5 |
| Chinook | 10 | 2 |
| Coho | 10 | 2 |
| Pink | 10 | 2 |
(A) Kasilof River dip net or rod and reel; salmon. (1) Residents of Ninilchik may take sockeye, Chinook, coho, and pink salmon through a dip net or rod and reel fishery on the upper mainstem of the Kasilof River from a Federal regulatory marker on the river below the outlet of Tustumena Lake downstream to a marker on the river approximately 2.8 miles below the Tustumena Lake boat ramp.
(2) Residents using rod-and-reel gear may fish with up to two baited single or treble hooks.
(3) Other species incidentally caught during the dip net and rod and reel fishery may be retained for subsistence uses, including up to 200 rainbow/steelhead trout taken through August 15. After 200 rainbow/steelhead trout have been taken in this fishery or after August 15, all rainbow/steelhead trout must be released unless otherwise provided for in this section.
(4) Harvest seasons are as follows:
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| Sockeye salmon | June 16-August 15. |
| Chinook salmon | June 16-August 15. |
| Coho salmon | June 16-October 31. |
| Pink salmon | June 16-October 31. |
(B) Kasilof River fish wheel; salmon. (1) Residents of Ninilchik may harvest sockeye, Chinook, coho, and pink salmon through a fish wheel fishery in the Federal public waters of the upper mainstem of the Kasilof River.
(2) Residents of Ninilchik may retain other species incidentally caught in the Kasilof River fish wheel except for rainbow or steelhead trout, which must be released and returned unharmed to the water.
(3) Only one fish wheel may be operated on the Kasilof River. The fish wheel must: Have a live box, be monitored when fishing, be stopped from fishing when it is not being monitored or used, and be installed and operated in compliance with any regulations and restrictions for its use within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
(4) One registration permit will be available and will be awarded by the Federal in-season fishery manager, in consultation with the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge manager, based on the merits of the operational plan. The registration permit will be issued to an organization that, as the fish wheel owner, will be responsible for its construction, installation, operation, use, and removal in consultation with the Federal fishery manager. The owner may not rent or lease the fish wheel for personal gain. As part of the permit, the organization must:
(i) Prior to the season. Provide a written operational plan to the Federal fishery manager including a description of how fishing time and fish will be offered and distributed among households and residents of Ninilchik.
(ii) During the season. Mark the fish wheel with a wood, metal, or plastic plate that is at least 12 inches high by 12 inches wide, permanently affixed, and plainly visible and that contains the following information in letters and numerals at least 1 inch high: Registration permit number; organization's name and address; and primary contact person name and telephone number.
(iii) After the season. Provide written documentation of required evaluation information to the Federal fishery manager including, but not limited to, persons or households operating the gear, hours of operation, and number of each species caught and retained or released.
(5) People operating the fish wheel must:
(i) Have in possession a valid Federal subsistence fishing permit and remain onsite to monitor the fish wheel and remove all fish at least every hour.
(ii) In addition, any person operating the fish wheel who is not the owner must attach to the fish wheel an additional wood, metal, or plastic plate that is at least 12 inches high by 12 inches wide, is plainly visible, and contains the person's fishing permit number, name, and address in letters and numerals at least 1 inch high.
(6) The organization owning the fish wheel may operate the fish wheel for subsistence purposes on behalf of residents of Ninilchik by requesting a subsistence fishing permit that:
(i) Identifies a person who will be responsible for operating the fish wheel; and
(ii) Includes provisions for recording daily catches, the household to whom the catch was given, and other information determined to be necessary for effective resource management by the Federal fishery manager.
(7) Fishing is allowed from June 16 through October 31 on the Kasilof River unless closed or otherwise restricted by Federal special action.
(C) Kasilof River gillnet; salmon. (1) Residents of Ninilchik may harvest sockeye, Chinook, coho, and pink salmon in the Federal public waters of the upper mainstem of the Kasilof River from a Federal regulatory marker on the river below the outlet of Tustumena Lake downstream to the Tustumena Lake boat launch with a single gillnet from June 16 through August 15.
(2) Only one community gillnet may be operated on the Kasilof River.
(i) The gillnet may not: Be over 10 fathoms in length, be larger than 5.25-inch mesh, and obstruct more than half of the river width with stationary fishing gear.
(ii) Subsistence stationary gillnet gear may not be set within 200 feet of other subsistence stationary gear.
(iii) The gillnet may be operated as a set gillnet in a fixed location, as a pole-net system drifted through an area while wading, or as a drift net from a boat.
(3) One registration permit will be available and will be issued by the Federal in-season fishery manager, in consultation with the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge manager, to the Ninilchik Traditional Council. As the community gillnet owner, the Ninilchik Traditional Council will be responsible for its use and removal in consultation with the Federal in-season manager. As part of the permit, after the season, the Ninilchik Traditional Council must provide written documentation of required evaluation information to the Federal fishery manager including, but not limited to:
(i) Persons or households operating the gear;
(ii) Hours of operation; and
(iii) Number of each species caught and retained or released.
(4) The community gillnet is subject to compliance with applicable Kenai National Wildlife Refuge regulations and restrictions.
(5) The Ninilchik Traditional Council may operate the net for subsistence purposes on behalf of residents of Ninilchik by requesting a subsistence fishing permit that:
(i) Identifies a person who will be responsible for fishing the gillnet; and
(ii) Includes provisions for recording daily catches within 72 hours, the household to whom the catch was given, and other information determined to be necessary for effective resource management by the Federal in-season manager.
(6) Residents of Ninilchik may retain other species incidentally caught in the Kasilof River community gillnet fishery. The gillnet fishery will be closed when the retention of rainbow or steelhead trout has been restricted under Federal subsistence regulations.
(D) Tustumena Lake rod and reel; salmon. (1) In addition to the dip net and rod and reel fishery on the upper mainstem of the Kasilof River described under paragraph (e)(10)(ii)(A)(1) of this section, residents of Ninilchik may also take coho and pink salmon through a rod and reel fishery in Tustumena Lake. Fishing is allowed with up to two baited single or treble hooks.
(2) Seasons, areas, harvest and possession limits, and methods and means for take are the same as for the taking of these species under Alaska sport fishing regulations (5 AAC 56), except for the following harvest and possession limits:
| Species | Size | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Coho salmon | 16 inches and longer | 4 per day and 4 in possession. |
| Pink salmon | 16 inches and longer | 6 per day and 6 in possession. |
(E) Kasilof drainage rod and reel; resident species. Resident fish species including lake trout, rainbow or steelhead trout, and Dolly Varden or Arctic char may be harvested by rod and reel in federally managed waters of the Kasilof River drainage the entire year as follows:
| Species | Specifications | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | Fish 20 inches and longer | 4 per day and 4 in possession. |
| Fish less than 20 inches in length | 15 per day and 15 in possession. | |
| Dolly Varden and Arctic char | In flowing waters | 4 per day and 4 in possession. |
| In lakes and ponds | 10 per day and 10 in possession. | |
| Rainbow or steelhead trout | In flowing waters | 2 per day and 2 in possession. |
| In lakes and ponds | 5 per day and 5 in possession. |
(F) Tustumena Lake under ice fishery; resident species. (1) You may fish in Tustumena Lake with a gillnet under the ice, or with jigging gear used through the ice. The gillnet may not be longer than 10 fathoms.
(2) Harvest limits are as follows:
| Methods | Limits | Additional provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Jigging gear through the ice | Household annual limit of 30 fish in any combination of lake trout, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden or Arctic char | Household limits are included in the overall total annual harvest quota. |
| Gillnet under the ice | Total annual harvest quota of 200 lake trout, 200 rainbow trout, and 500 Dolly Varden or Arctic char | The Federal in-season manager will issue a closure for this fishery once any of these quotas has been met. |
(3) You may harvest fish under the ice only in Tustumena Lake. Gillnets are not allowed within a 1/4 mile radius of the mouth of any tributary to Tustumena Lake, or the outlet of Tustumena Lake.
(4) A permit is required. The permit will be issued by the Federal in-season manager or designated representative and will be valid for the winter season unless the season is closed by special action.
(i) The permittee must report the following information: The number of each species caught; the number of each species retained; the length, depth (number of meshes deep), and mesh size of gillnet fished; the fishing site; and the total hours fished.
(ii) The gillnet must be checked at least once in every 48-hour period.
(iii) For unattended gear, the permittee's name and address must be plainly and legibly inscribed on a stake at one end of the gillnet.
(5) Incidentally caught fish may be retained and must be recorded on the permit before transporting fish from the fishing site.
(6) Failure to return the completed harvest permit by May 31 may result in issuance of a violation notice and/or denial of a future subsistence permit.
(iii) Seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means for Kenai River fisheries. Household annual limits for salmon in Kenai River fisheries are as follows:
| Species | Number offish allowedfor eachpermitholder | Additionalfish allowedfor eachhouseholdmember | Additional provisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sockeye salmon | 25 | 5 | Chum salmon that are retained are to be included within the annual limit for sockeye salmon. |
| Chinook salmon— (July 1 through July 15) | 2 | 1 | For the Kenai River community gillnet fishery described under paragraph (e)(10)(iii)(B) of this section. |
| Chinook salmon— (July 16 through August 31) | 10 | 2 | |
| Coho salmon | 20 | 5 | |
| Pink salmon | 15 | 5 |
(A) Kenai River dip net or rod and reel; salmon. (1) You may take only sockeye salmon through a dip net or rod and reel fishery at one specified site on the Russian River.
(i) For the Russian River fishing site, incidentally caught fish may be retained for subsistence uses, except for Chinook salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden, which must be released.
(ii) At the Russian River Falls site, dip netting is allowed from a Federal regulatory marker near the upstream end of the fish ladder at Russian River Falls downstream to a Federal regulatory marker approximately 600 yards below Russian River Falls. Residents using rod and reel gear at this fishery site may not fish with bait at any time.
(2) You may take sockeye, Chinook, coho, and pink salmon through a dip net or rod and reel fishery at two specified sites on the Kenai River below Skilak Lake and as provided in this section.
(i) For both Kenai River fishing sites below Skilak Lake, incidentally caught fish may be retained for subsistence uses, except for Chinook salmon prior to July 16 (unless otherwise provided for in this section), rainbow trout 18 inches or longer, and Dolly Varden 18 inches or longer, which must be released.
(ii) At the Kenai River Moose Range Meadows site, dip netting is allowed only from a boat from a Federal regulatory marker on the Kenai River at about river mile 29 downstream approximately 2.5 miles to another marker on the Kenai River at about river mile 26.5. Residents using rod and reel gear at this fishery site may fish from boats or from shore with up to two baited single or treble hooks June 15 through August 31.
(iii) At the Kenai River mile 48 site, dip netting is allowed while either standing in the river or from a boat, from Federal regulatory markers on both sides of the Kenai River at about river mile 48 (approximately 2 miles below the outlet of Skilak Lake) downstream approximately 2.5 miles to a marker on the Kenai River at about river mile 45.5. Residents using rod and reel gear at this fishery site may fish from boats or from shore with up to two baited single or treble hooks June 15 through August 31.
(3) Fishing seasons are as follows:
| Species | Season | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sockeye salmon | June 15-August 15 | All three sites. |
| Chinook salmon | July 16-September 30 | Kenai River sites only. |
| Pink salmon | July 16-September 30 | Kenai River sites only. |
| Coho salmon | July 16-September 30 | Kenai River sites only. |
(B) Kenai River gillnet; salmon. (1) Residents of Ninilchik may harvest sockeye, Chinook, coho, and pink salmon in the Moose Range Meadows area of the Federal public waters of the Kenai River with a single gillnet to be managed and operated by the Ninilchik Traditional Council.
(2) Fishing will be allowed July 1 through August 15 and September 10-30 on the Kenai River unless closed or otherwise restricted by Federal special action. The following conditions apply to harvest in the Kenai River community gillnet fishery:
(i) Salmon taken in this fishery will be included as household annual limits of participating households.
(ii) The Ninilchik Traditional Council will report all harvested fish within 72 hours of leaving the gillnet location.
(iii) Additional harvest restrictions for this fishery are as follows:
| Species | Period | Harvest | Fishery limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sockeye salmon | July 1-August 15 and September 10-30 | ||
| Chinook salmon less than 46 inches in length or greater than 55 inches in length | July 1-15 | Fish may be retained if the most current preseason forecast from the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game projects the in-river run to be within or above the optimal escapement goal range for early-run Chinook salmon; otherwise, live fish must be released | Fishery will close until July 16 once 50 Chinook salmon have been retained or released. |
| Chinook salmon | July 16-August 15 | Fishery will close prior to August 15 if 200 Chinook salmon have been retained or released between July 16 and that date. Fishery will reopen September 10-30 for species available at that time. | |
| Pink salmon | July 16-August 15 and September 10-30 | ||
| Coho salmon | July 16-August 15 and September 10-30 | ||
| Incidentally caught rainbow trout and Dolly Varden | All live fish must be released. Fish that die in net may be retained | Fishery will close for the season once 100 rainbow trout or 150 Dolly Varden have been released or retained. |
(iv) Chinook salmon less than 20 inches in length may be retained and do not count towards retained or released totals.
(v) Other incidentally caught species may be retained; however, all incidental fish mortalities, except for Chinook salmon less than 20 inches in length, count towards released or retained totals specified in this section.
(3) Only one community gillnet may be operated on the Kenai River.
(i) The gillnet may not: Be over 10 fathoms in length to take salmon; be larger than 5.25-inch mesh; and obstruct more than half of the river width with stationary fishing gear.
(ii) Subsistence stationary gillnet gear may not be set within 200 feet of other subsistence stationary gear.
(4) One registration permit will be available and will be issued by the Federal in-season manager, in consultation with the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge manager, to the Ninilchik Traditional Council. As the community gillnet owner, the Ninilchik Traditional Council will be responsible for its use and removal in consultation with the Federal in-season manager. As part of the permit, the Ninilchik Traditional Council must provide post-season written documentation of required evaluation information to the Federal in-season manager including, but not limited to:
(i) Persons or households operating the gear;
(ii) Hours of operation; and
(iii) Number of each species caught and retained or released.
(5) The Ninilchik Traditional Council may operate the net for subsistence purposes on behalf of residents of Ninilchik by requesting a subsistence fishing permit that:
(i) Identifies a person who will be responsible for fishing the gillnet; and
(ii) Includes provisions for recording daily catches, the household to whom the catch was given, and other information determined to be necessary for effective resource management by the Federal in-season manager.
(C) Kenai River rod and reel only; salmon. (1) For federally managed waters of the Kenai River and its tributaries, you may take sockeye, Chinook, coho, pink, and chum salmon through a separate rod and reel fishery in the Kenai River drainage.
(2) Seasons, areas, harvest and possession limits, and methods and means for take are the same as for the taking of these salmon species under State of Alaska fishing regulations (5 AAC 56, 5 AAC 57 and 5 AAC 77.540), except for the following harvest and possession limits:
| Species | Size | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon— (January 1 through July 15) | Less than 46 inches or 55 inches and longer | 2 per day and 2 in possession. |
| Chinook salmon— (July 16 through August 31) | 20 inches and longer | 2 per day and 2 in possession. |
| All other salmon | 16 inches and longer | 6 per day and 6 in possession, of which no more than 4 per day and 4 in possession may be Coho salmon, except for the Sanctuary Area and Russian River where no more than 2 per day and 2 in possession may be Coho salmon. |
(i) In the Kenai River below Skilak Lake, fishing is allowed with up to two baited single or treble hooks June 15 through August 31.
(ii) Annual harvest limits for any combination of Chinook salmon are four for each permit holder.
(iii) Incidentally caught fish, other than salmon, are subject to regulations found in paragraph (e)(10)(iii)(D) of this section.
(D) Kenai River and tributaries under ice jigging and rod and reel; resident species. (1) For federally managed waters of the Kenai River and its tributaries below Skilak Lake outlet at river mile 50, you may take resident fish species including lake trout, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden or Arctic char with jigging gear through the ice or rod and reel gear in open waters. Seasons, areas, harvest and possession limits, and methods and means for take are the same as for the taking of these resident species under State of Alaska fishing regulations (5 AAC 56, 5 AAC 57, and 5 AAC 77.540), except for the following harvest and possession limits:
| Species | Specifications | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 20 inches or longer | 4 per day and 4 in possession. |
| Less than 20 inches | 15 per day and 15 in possession. | |
| Dolly Varden or Arctic char | In flowing waters | For fish less than 18 inches, 1 per day and 1 in possession. |
| In lakes and ponds | 2 per day and 2 in possession, of which only one may be 20 inches or longer, may be harvested daily. | |
| Rainbow or steelhead trout | In flowing waters | For fish less than 18 inches in length, 1 per day and 1 in possession. |
| In lakes and ponds | 2 per day and 2 in possession, of which only one fish 20 inches or longer may be harvested daily. |
(2) For federally managed waters of the upper Kenai River and its tributaries above Skilak Lake outlet at river mile 50, you may take resident fish species including lake trout, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden or Arctic char with jigging gear through the ice or rod and reel gear in open waters. Seasons, areas, harvest and possession limits, and methods and means for take are the same as for the taking of these resident species under Alaska fishing regulations (5 AAC 56, 5 AAC 57, 5 AAC 77.540), except for the following harvest and possession limits:
| Species | Specifications | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 20 inches or longer | 4 per day and 4 in possession. |
| Less than 20 inches | 15 per day and 15 in possession. | |
| From Hidden Lake | 2 per day and 2 in possession regardless of length. | |
| Dolly Varden or Arctic char | In flowing waters | For fish less than 16 inches in length, 1 per day and 1 in possession. |
| In lakes and ponds | 2 per day and 2 in possession, of which only one fish 20 inches or longer may be harvested daily. | |
| Rainbow or steelhead trout | In flowing waters | For fish less than 16 inches in length, 1 per day and 1 in possession. |
| In lakes and ponds | 2 per day and 2 in possession, of which only one fish 20 inches or longer may be harvested daily. |
(11) Prince William Sound Area. The Prince William Sound Area includes all waters and drainages of Alaska between the longitude of Cape Fairfield and the longitude of Cape Suckling. The Lower Copper River Area includes that portion of the Copper River, from a boundary one-half mile upstream of the Copper River Highway to a boundary extending one-half mile downstream of the Copper River Highway, from the west bank of the river near highway mile 27 to the east bank of the river near highway mile 38.
(i) You may take fish, other than rainbow/steelhead trout, in the Prince William Sound Area only under authority of a subsistence fishing permit, except that a permit is not required to take eulachon. You make not take rainbow/steelhead trout, except as otherwise provided for in this paragraph (e)(11).
(v) In the Upper Copper River District, you may take salmon only by fish wheels, rod and reel, or dip nets. In the Lower Copper River Area, you may take salmon only by dip nets and rod and reel. All salmon retained from the Lower Copper River Area must be reported to area managers within 48 hours of harvest.
(x) The total annual harvest limit for subsistence salmon fishing permits in combination for the Glennallen Subdistrict and the Chitina Subdistrict is as follows:
(xi) The following apply to Upper Copper River District subsistence salmon fishing permits:
(xii) If you are a fish wheel owner:
(xiii) If you are operating a fish wheel:
(xiv) A subsistence fishing permit may be issued to a village council, or other similarly qualified organization whose members operate fish wheels for subsistence purposes in the Upper Copper River District, to operate fish wheels on behalf of members of its village or organization. The following additional provisions apply to subsistence fishing permits issued under this paragraph (e)(11)(xiv):
(xv) You may take salmon in the vicinity of the former Native village of Batzulnetas only under the authority of a Batzulnetas subsistence salmon fishing permit available from the National Park Service under the following conditions:
(xvi) You may take pink salmon for subsistence purposes from fresh water with a dip net from May 15 through September 30, 7 days per week, with no harvest or possession limits in the following areas:
(xvii) In the Chugach National Forest portion of the Prince William Sound Area, and the Lower Copper River Area, you must possess a Federal subsistence fishing permit to take salmon, trout, whitefish, grayling, Dolly Varden, or char. Permits are available from the Cordova Ranger District.
(12) Yakutat Area. The Yakutat Area includes all waters and drainages of Alaska between the longitude of Cape Suckling and the longitude of Cape Fairweather.
(13) Southeastern Alaska Area. The Southeastern Alaska Area includes all waters between a line projecting southwest from the westernmost tip of Cape Fairweather and Dixon Entrance.
(iv) In areas where use of rod and reel is allowed, you may use an artificial fly, lure, or bait when fishing with rod and reel, unless restricted by Federal permit. If you use bait, you must retain all federally regulated fish species caught, and they apply to your applicable daily, seasonal, and annual harvest limits for that species.
(xiii) You may take Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon in the mainstem of the Stikine River only under the authority of a Federal subsistence fishing permit. Each Stikine River permit will be issued to a household. Only dip nets, spears, gaffs, rod and reel, beach seine, or gillnets not exceeding 15 fathoms in length may be used. The maximum gillnet stretched mesh size is 8 inches during the Chinook salmon season and 5 1/2 inches during the sockeye salmon season. There is no maximum mesh size during the coho salmon season.
(xvii) You may take steelhead trout on Prince of Wales and Kosciusko Islands under the terms of Federal subsistence fishing permits. You must obtain a separate permit for the winter and spring seasons.
(xviii) In addition to the requirement for a Federal subsistence fishing permit, the following restrictions for the harvest of Dolly Varden, brook trout, grayling, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout apply:
[78 FR 19112, Mar. 29, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 28192, May 18, 2015; 83 FR 3084, Jan. 23, 2018; 84 FR 39191, Aug. 9, 2019; 84 FR 39748, Aug. 12, 2019; 86 FR 17717, Apr. 6, 2021; 87 FR 44894, July 26, 2022; 89 FR 14756, Feb. 29, 2024; 90 FR 34161, July 18, 2025]