Fishing Regulations & Licenses

Alaska is lauded as having the best managed fisheries in the world. The regulations are important, and they change each year, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. Check out the links below to the International Pacific Halibut Commission websites and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Make sure you’re aware of the rules before you head out on a trip, be it alone or guided!

Seward is located in the North Gulf Coast state area 3A. Links to purchase a fishing license through the Alaska Department of Fish & Game website are at the bottom of this page!

Also find below links to the 2021 Fishing Guidelines for the Kenai Peninsula as a whole, as well as specific guidelines for the Seward Area.

Recent updates to Fishing Regulations will be posted below.

Halibut Restrictions for 2025

Area 3A (South-central Alaska)

• Halibut (charter guided): Up to two halibut per angler per day. One may be any size; the second must be 27 inches or less in length. Only one charter trip per day per vessel may include halibut retention. Filleting/carcass retention rules apply.
  • Charter vessels may only take one trip during which charter vessel anglers retain halibut per day / charter halibut permits may only be used for one charter halibut fishing trip per day during which charter vessel anglers retain halibut.
  • No annual limit: Charter anglers are not subject to an annual limit on the number of halibut they retain.
  • Wednesday closure: Charter vessel anglers may not catch and retain halibut (except GAF) on Wednesdays from June 21st through August 9th.
  • Tuesday closure: Charter vessel anglers may not catch and retain halibut (except GAF) on Tuesdays from June 20th through August 15th.

• Salmon (non-king) – North Gulf Coast / Resurrection Bay

  • In the Resurrection Bay Terminal Harvest Area: 6 per day

  • 3 per day outside of Resurrection Bay

• Rockfish – Near Seward, Gore Point to Cape Puget

  • Bag limit: 4 rockfish per day, no more than 1 of those may be a non-pelagic species (per daily limit).

  • Yellow Eye Rockfish can be retailed after July 1st
•  Lingcod – North Gulf Coast
  • Retained after July 1st must be over 36 inches. One per day per angler.

*Halibut are monitored and regulated by both State and Federal Governments, and the most up to date Federal catch restrictions for guided charters in area 3A are listed HERE 

Fishing licenses can be purchased online. Children under age 16 do not need to have a fishing license. Military stationed in Alaska and residents pay for an annual. If you hope to retain King Salmon, you will need a King Salmon Stamp in addition to your fishing license.

*Buying Fishing Licenses and King Salmon Stamps Online – you can bring a printed copy, a PDF copy on your phone, or upload licenses in the ADFG mobile app.
Buy your fishing and hunting license online

*2021 Fishing Regulations Online – Full Sport Fishing Regulations for the North Gulf Coast / State of Alaska