Glacier Bay Sport Fishing Regulations

 

A Special Place

Glacier Bay National Park was designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2009. Nationwide, more than 30 National Park units have been designated as MPAs and many more are currently being considered. Conservation is a primary goal of MPAs but recreational use is encouraged when compatible with conservation goals.

National Parks generally allow fishing only when it "will not unacceptably impact park resources or natural processes." Park objectives include preserving native fishes and their habitats and providing recreational fishing opportunities for the enjoyment of park visitors now and into the future.

 

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  Glacier Bay is a marine sanctuary

  Practicing a Conservation Ethic

  It is up to each of us to play our part in preserving the ecological integrity of Glacier Bay for generations to come.

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  Weekly fishing reports from our area

  How is the Fishing?

  Updated by AK Dept. of Fish & Game

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  Alaska Department of Fish & Game

  Sportfishing Regulations

  Sportfishing Regulations for Southeast Alaska

 

Things to Know Before You Go:

The National Park Service (NPS) urges all anglers to review and know all relevant regulations guiding recreational fishing activity in Glacier Bay. Other aspects of the fishing experience may also benefit from self-education and pre-planning.

• An Alaskan sportfishing license is required for all nonresidents 16 and older, and for Alaska residents 18-59, to fish in Alaska's fresh and salt waters.
• Alaska residents age 60 and older can apply for an ADF&G Permanent Identification Card which is a lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping license.
• Always check ADFG's Sport Fish Emergency Orders and News Releases for changes to existing regulations not listed in the standard Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for Southeast Alaska.
• The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) distributes current Pacific halibut fishery regulations each year. Section 28 typically specifies the fishing season duration as well as size and bag limits. Regulations may vary for guided and unguided anglers.
• The Pacific halibut fishery is managed by the federal government under international treaty with Canada. Federal halibut regulations are available from NOAA. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game manages most other fish and invertebrate species and establishes sport fishing regulations which can change at any time by emergency order. National Park Service (NPS) unit-wide fishing regulations also apply.
• NPS regulations allow fishing in fresh waters using hook and line gear only, prohibit the possession or use of live or dead bait and unpreserved fish eggs or roe, as well as chumming, and require careful and immediate release of fish not meeting size or species restrictions. These and other regulations are detailed in the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 2.3).
• Fish carcasses may not be disposed within 200 feet of the Bartlett Cove dock.
• Special Rules for Fishing the Bartlett River:
  Because of past bear and human conflicts on the Bartlett River, NPS regulations now require all harvested fish caught in the Bartlett River be kept within six feet of the angler or on their person. Additionally, all harvested fish caught in the Bartlett River shall be packed out whole, except gills and entrails which should be deposited in the deepest, fastest flowing part of the stream channel.
• Use Your Wits...and Keep Your Fish!
  Safe fishing in Bear Country brochure Page 1 Page 2
• Charter vessels are required to have in possession and utilize a deep water release mechanism to safely return and release rockfish to depth.
• Before consuming large, long lived halibut and other marine species like shark, lingcod and rockfish, check the State of Alaska's Fish Consumption. Guidelines for information about possible contaminants that can be harmful to pregnant women and young children.
• Check the weekly Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game fishing reports from the local area.
• A number of licensed, professional fishing guides are available to help you plan and take you on a successful fishing adventure in this area.
• For a wealth of information on fishing in this part of Alaska, check out the Alaska Department of Fish & Game Sportfish Divison.

 

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  Protected Waters

  National Marine Protected Areas

  Protected Waters

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  Only specific fisheries authorized

  Commercial Fishing

  fisheries, regulations, and management in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

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  What's swimming in park waters?

  Fish

  Vital to the marine food web, many species of fish inhabit park waters.