Alaska Outdoor Digest

The source for important, timely news on hunting, fishing and the outdoors in Alaska.

Reminder: Ninilchik kids fishing day cancelled; Ship Creek kids day June 16
(Homer) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has sent out a reminder to reminder youth-anglers that due to the sport fishing regulation closures on the Anchor and Ninilchik rivers and Deep Creek drainages, the Youth-Only Ninilchik River King Salmon Fishery which was scheduled for Wednesday, June 6, 2018, is closed. During... Read more
Nushagak study: Most kings survive catch-and-release
By Lee Leschper Biologists on the Nushagak River are in the second year of key research on how well king salmon survive being caught and released by sport fishermen. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game mortality study is intended to give managers and anglers statewide a better idea... Read more
DOT, Feds ink deal to create Cooper Landing bypass
Thursday morning in Anchorage Federal highway authorities and Alaska’s Department of Transportation finalized the agreement that will lay the groundwork for a highway bypassing Cooper Landing and critical habitat along a stretch of the Upper Kenai River. Federal Highways signed the record of decision (ROD) on the Sterling Highway... Read more
Trials, Tribulations, and a Tribute to the Pacific Salmon Treaty
Editor’s note:   Charlie Swanton, member of the Alaska Pacific Salmon Commission, wrote this analyis of the generations-old challenges of managing the salmon that Alaska and Canada share, especially for stocks that continue to struggle.  This was previously published in the Juneau Empire.  By Charles O. Swanton Alaska Department of Fish... Read more
Pacific Council debating chinook bycatch Friday
The Northern Pacific Fisheries Council, the organization that oversees Federal fisheries in Alaska waters, is meeting in Anchorage this week and next. Critical for Alaska anglers is today’s discussion (Friday morning) on how to manage the significant bycatch of king (chinook) salmon in the pollock trawl fisheries in the... Read more
Anchorage AC elects sportfishing, resident hunter slate
Sport fishermen and resident hunters showed up in force to vote in six new members to the Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee Tuesday night. There were a total of six seats on the committee open. Members Phil Calhoun and Neil DeWitt were relected. New members Tyler Loken, Rick... Read more
Critical Anchorage Advisory Council election Tuesday
Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. at the King Career Center in Anchorage By Lee Leschper This Tuesday there are two big elections for Anchorage residents. For local sport and subsistence fishermen, the election for open seats on the Anchorage Fish & Game Advisory Committee may be even more important... Read more
Most Valley king fisheries closed or limited
2018 King Salmon Sport Fishing Catch-and-Release Only for Deshka and Yentna rivers and Remaining Susitna River Drainage Closed (Palmer) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and increased fishing opportunities in the future, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restrictions... Read more
Rockfish deep water release, limits coming for SE
As Board of Fish testimony continues in Sitka this week, the focus shifts to new rules for rockfish. The tasty bottom fish have received dramatically more fishing pressure in the past decade as tighter limits on charter halibut and salmon have sent fishermen looking for new options. Rockfish are... Read more
ADF&G feedback on West, Central game proposals
February’s Board of Game meeting in Dillingham will tackle an extensive list of proposals for hunting and wildlife regulation changes in west and central Alaska. This includes moose, Dall sheep and caribou hunting proposals for some of the state’s most popular hunts. We tackle some of the more controversial... Read more