ADFG Announces Prohibiting The Filleting, De-Heading Of Fish Caught In Southeast Alaska Waters

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Filleting and De-heading of Lingcod, King and Coho Salmon, and Demersal Shelf and Slope Rockfish Prohibited in Southeast Alaska Sport Fisheries

(Sitka) – Marine boat anglers returning to ports where and when on-site ADF&G creel surveys are conducted will be prohibited from filleting, mutilating, and de-heading sport-caught lingcod, demersal shelf rockfish (DSR), slope rockfish, and king and coho salmon at sea. These prohibitions are in addition to statewide regulations adopted by the BOF in 2026 regarding retention and possession of lingcod, all species of rockfish, and king salmon for the determination of species and length. Marine boat anglers returning to any port on the road system of the communities listed below, during the times designated, may not fillet, mutilate, or de-head these fish until their vessel is tied up at a docking facility where the fish will be offloaded, unless the fish have been consumed or preserved on board:

The purpose of this restriction is to maximize information obtained through ADF&G angler interviews and dockside sampling programs. Southeast Alaska management plans adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries require length and sex information for lingcod, length information for DSR and slope rockfish, and identification of tagged king and coho salmon, which can only be obtained when fish are intact. On-site sampling is conducted during the fishing season at many harbors and boat launches to estimate sport fishing effort and harvest, and the contribution of hatchery stocks of king and coho salmon to regional sport fisheries. Anglers may fillet and head king and coho salmon, lingcod, and DSR and slope rockfish on board a vessel once it is tied up at a docking facility, where the fish will be offloaded. This action does not prohibit gutting and gilling fish before returning to port. A helpful flyer for the identification of rockfish species is available on the ADF&G website to assist anglers. For further information, contact the nearest ADF&G office or Troy Tydingco at troy.tydingco@alaska.gov.