General personal-use regulations

Before donning the waders and breaking the nets out of storage, be sure to have a clear understanding of the 2003 personal-use dipnet fishery regulations. Pleading ignorance won't help when faced with the fines that accompany violations of the rules. Among those rules:

Personal-use fisheries are open to Alaska residents only. Nonresidents may not participate in these fisheries. Nonresidents may not handle any of the gear or operate the boat that is being used for personal-use fishing.

For anglers 16 to 59, a resident sport fishing license must be in possession of the person who is personal-use fishing.

For anglers 60 or older and disabled veterans, the Fish and Game Permanent Identification Card must be in possession.

A permit is required. The permit covers four fisheries: gillnetting on the Kasilof River, dipnetting on the Kenai River, dipnetting on the Kasilof River and dipnetting on Fish Creek. Alaska residents, once permitted, may participate in one or all of these fisheries.

The total yearly harvest limit is 25 salmon for the permit holder and 10 salmon for each additional household member. The limit is combined for all four fisheries, not for each fishery.

Salmon sport fishing bag and possession limits are in addition to those allowed under personal-use fishing regulations.

When in doubt of any regulations, or for more information, consult the 2003 sport fishing regulations summary for Southcentral Alaska.