What will it cost? Calculator
Pick your trip and we'll work out the cheapest licenses to buy, including any required stamps.
Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026. Listed prices are ADF&G license fees. No online or vendor fee was listed by ADF&G.
How long annual licenses last: Licenses and king salmon stamps are valid for the calendar year in which they are bought. Official source
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Non-resident annual sport fishing license Ages 16+ | FreshSalt | Annual | $100 | Official source |
| Non-resident 1-day sport fishing license Ages 16+ | FreshSalt | 1 day | $15 | Official source |
| Non-resident 3-day sport fishing license Ages 16+ | FreshSalt | 3 days | $30 | Official source |
| Non-resident 7-day sport fishing license Ages 16+ | FreshSalt | 7 days | $45 | Official source |
| Non-resident 14-day sport fishing license Ages 16+ | FreshSalt | 14 days | $75 | Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Non-resident military annual sport fishing license | FreshSalt | Annual | $20 |
Only for: Active-duty military stationed in Alaska for less than 12 months (those stationed 12 months or more buy resident licenses). Official source2 |
| Yukon Territory reciprocal annual sport fishing license | FreshSalt | Annual | $20 |
Only for: Residents of Yukon Territory, Canada. Official source |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Resident annual sport fishing license Ages 18+ | FreshSalt | Annual | $20 | Official source2 |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Resident low-income sport fishing, hunting and trapping license | FreshSalt | Annual | $5 |
Only for: Residents whose household income is at or below the latest US poverty guidelines. Covers fishing, hunting and trapping; no king salmon stamp needed. Official source2 |
| Resident sport fishing license for the blind | FreshSalt | Annual | $0.50 |
Only for: Blind residents; an affidavit is needed. No king salmon stamp needed. Official source2 |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
King salmon stamp (resident)
$10Needed to fish for king salmon, including catch and release, except in stocked landlocked lakes. Residents 18 and over; not needed with a PID, DV, low-income or blind license.
Residents Official source2
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King salmon stamp (non-resident)
Annual $100
1 day $15
3 day $30
7 day $45
14 day $75Needed to fish for king salmon, including catch and release, except in stocked landlocked lakes, age 16 and over. Sold to match trip length: 1-day $15, 3-day $30, 7-day $45, 14-day $75, annual $100 (military $30).
Non-residents Official source2
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Harvest record card (free)
FreeFree. Needed for fisheries with annual limits by residents under 18, non-residents under 16 and PID/DV card holders; licensed anglers record annual-limit fish on their license.
Everyone Official source2
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Alaska residents under 18
FreshSalt Residents Official source
-
Non-residents under 16
FreshSalt Non-residents Official source
-
Alaska residents 60 and over with a free ADF&G Permanent Identification (PID) card
FreshSalt Residents · Proof: ADF&G PID card (free; apply online or at a Fish and Game office) Official source2
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Alaska resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability, with a free ADF&G disabled veteran (DV) card
FreshSalt Residents · check this applies to you · Proof: ADF&G DV card Official source2
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in Alaska.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Alaska doesn't hold free fishing days. ADF&G's licensing rules list none. Residents under 18 and non-residents under 16 can always fish without a license. Official source2
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- A resident has lived in Alaska for the past 12 consecutive months with the intent to stay, and does not claim residency or receive resident benefits (licenses, driver's license, state benefits, taxes) in another state. (at least 365 days)
- Military
- Active-duty military and dependents stationed in Alaska for the past 12 months can buy resident licenses. Those stationed less than 12 months buy the $20 non-resident military license and $30 military king salmon stamp.
How to buy a Alaska fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Sold online through the ADF&G store and ADFG app (license available immediately), at most sporting goods stores and at Fish and Game offices.
- Online
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game license sales
- App
- ADFG (Alaska Dept of Fish & Game)
- License on your phone
- Accepted
A paper or electronic license must be carried while fishing and shown on request, with any king salmon stamp, PID/DV card and harvest record. Licenses bought in the ADFG app are valid to show to enforcement in the field.
Non-residents can also buy a 14-day king salmon stamp ($75).
Many Alaska salmon fisheries are opened, closed or changed by emergency order during the season. Always check current ADF&G emergency orders for the water you plan to fish.
For fish with annual limits (such as some king salmon fisheries), record each fish on your license or harvest record card as soon as it is landed.
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license.
No charter exemption was found: everyone who must have a license (residents 18+, non-residents 16+) needs one in fresh and salt water, plus a king salmon stamp to fish for kings, whether guided or not. Guided halibut anglers follow separate charter limits. In some areas guides and crew may not fish or keep king salmon or rockfish while clients are on board.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check ADF&G's rules before you book.
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check ADF&G's current rules before you keep a fish.
Alaska has no single statewide limits: each region and drainage has its own rules. Freshwater figures shown are the 2026 default limits for the Susitna River drainage (Unit 1) in Southcentral Alaska, as an example only. Possession limits are set by area; in the example area most possession limits equal the daily bag (salmon over 16": 3 a day, 6 in possession).
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King salmon Fresh | Set each year: check here. King salmon seasons and limits are set by area and often changed or closed by emergency order (for example, Susitna drainage king fishing was closed in 2026). King salmon stamp needed. Check ADF&G emergency orders before fishing. | |||
| King salmon (salt water) Salt | Set each year: check here. Saltwater king salmon limits differ by area and are frequently changed by emergency order. King salmon stamp needed. Check ADF&G emergency orders before fishing. | |||
| Coho, sockeye, chum and pink salmon Fresh | Set each year: check here. Limits differ by area and are often changed by emergency order (in the Susitna drainage the default is 3 a day of coho, sockeye and chum 16" or longer, plus 6 pink salmon). Check ADF&G emergency orders and your area's regulations. | |||
| Rainbow trout and steelhead Fresh | Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) | – | 2 (only 1 may be 20" or longer) | Lakes open all year; flowing waters catch-and-release only April 15 to June 14 |
| Limits vary by area; many waters are catch-and-release or have special rules. Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Arctic grayling Fresh | Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) | No size limit | 2 | Open all year |
| Limits vary by area. Official source | ||||
| Dolly Varden and Arctic char Fresh | Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) | – | 5 (only 1 may be 12" or longer) | Open all year |
| Limits vary by area. Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Lake trout Fresh | Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) | No size limit | 2 | Open all year |
| Limits vary by area. Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Northern pike Fresh | Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) | – | No limit | Open all year |
| Live release of pike is prohibited in this drainage. Other areas have bag limits. Official source Northern pike limits in other states | ||||
| Burbot Fresh | Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) | No size limit | 5 | Open all year |
| Limits vary by area. Official source | ||||
| Pacific halibut Salt | Set each year: check here. Halibut limits are set each year by federal and international rules and differ for guided (charter) and unguided anglers and by area. Check NOAA Fisheries and ADF&G before fishing. | |||
| Rockfish Salt | Set each year: check here. Rockfish limits differ by area and species group and can change in season; some areas require release devices. Check your area's regulations and ADF&G emergency orders. | |||
| Lingcod Salt | Set each year: check here. Lingcod seasons, size and bag limits differ by area and can change by emergency order. Check your area's regulations before fishing. | |||
Compare Alaska with other states
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in Alaska?
Yes, if you are 16 or older and fish public waters in Alaska, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Alaska residents under 18; Non-residents under 16; Alaska residents 60 and over with a free ADF&G Permanent Identification (PID) card.
How much is a non-resident fishing license in Alaska?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026 are $15 for one day (Non-resident 1-day sport fishing license); $45 for seven days (Non-resident 7-day sport fishing license); $100 for a year (Non-resident annual sport fishing license). Listed prices are ADF&G license fees. No online or vendor fee was listed by ADF&G.
Do seniors need a fishing license in Alaska?
Senior options for residents: Free (fresh + salt): Alaska residents 60 and over with a free ADF&G Permanent Identification (PID) card. Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
Does Alaska have free fishing days?
No. Alaska doesn't hold free fishing days.
How do I get a fishing license in Alaska?
Buy it from Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Sold online through the ADF&G store and ADFG app (license available immediately), at most sporting goods stores and at Fish and Game offices.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in Alaska?
Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license. No charter exemption was found: everyone who must have a license (residents 18+, non-residents 16+) needs one in fresh and salt water, plus a king salmon stamp to fish for kings, whether guided or not. Guided halibut anglers follow separate charter limits. In some areas guides and crew may not fish or keep king salmon or rockfish while clients are on board.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from Alaska Department of Fish and Game unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 9 source pages
- apps.apple.com/us/app/-/id1582653381
- fishingbooker.com/blog/free-fishing-days/
- www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm%3Fadfg%3Dlicense.pricinglist
- www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm%3Fadfg%3Dsportlicense.main
- www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/
- www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/fishregulations/PDFs/southcentral/2026sc_sfregs_guiding_regulations.pdf
- www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/fishregulations/PDFs/southcentral/2026sc_sfregs_susitna_river.pdf
- www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2026-03/2026-unguided-halibut-faqs-akro.pdf
- www.wafwa.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/fishregulations/PDFs/Southwest/2026sw_sfregs_licensing.pdf
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