Unless you are an Alaskan bear, you most likely will need an Alaska fishing license if you plan to do any fishing in the state of Alaska. This topic covers Alaska fishing from the standpoint of the regulations for Alaska and license information, including applicable license fees and purchase. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) administers the licensing program in Alaska.

Alaska, in general, refers to its non-commercial fishing license as a sport fishing license. License fees are divided into three categories 1) resident license fees, 2) military license fees, and 3) nonresident license fees.http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/Statewide/Regulations/PDFs/licenseinfo.pdf Exemptions are available that eliminate the need of a license for angling sport fish, but most exemptions require another document to be carried in place of the fishing license. For example, a child under the age of 16 does not need a fishing license or other documentation. An Alaskan resident of 60 years, or older, would not need a fishing license, but would need to have a lifetime ADF&G Permanent Identification Card (PID).http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/Statewide/Regulations/PDFs/licenseinfo.pdf

Resident and military sport fishing licenses are valid in the year they are purchased, expiring on December 31http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/faqlic.html. Nonresident licenses may be purchased for:

1. 1-day
2. 3-day
3. 7-day
4. 14-day
5. the year in which they're purchased, expiring on December 31.http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/Statewide/Regulations/PDFs/licenseinfo.pdfhttp://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/faqlic.html
   
   

In addition to a sport fishing license, you will need a king salmon stamp to fish for anadromous (sea-run) king salmon.http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/Statewide/Regulations/PDFs/licenseinfo.pdf Like the sport fishing license itself, exemptions may apply. Stamps are good for the year in which they are purchased.

Sport fishing licenses may be bought online, through the mail, or from a licensed vendor. Most sporting goods stores and charters, in Alaska, would probably be a licensed vendor. Note that licenses may also be bought as a gift licensehttp://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/faqbuy.html. If buying online, the sport fishing license and the king salmon stamp can be printed from home.http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/Statewide/Regulations/PDFs/licenseinfo.pdf The links on this page offer one of the many ways to purchase an Alaskan sport fishing license and/or a king salmon stamp for 2010.http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/faqbuy.htmlhttp://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/faqvendor.html

Alaska state residency, in most cases, is based on having made a home in Alaska for the preceding 12 consecutive months and by not having claimed a residency in another state, territory, or country.http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/faqlic.html Full details concerning residency requirements are covered in the Residency Info Sheet. http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/supportdocs/residency_infosheet.pdf

2010 license fees should be posted online. As of February 13, 2010, only 2009 fees are listed.http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/Statewide/Regulations/PDFs/licenseinfo.pdf In addition to the age exemptions previously mentioned, there are qualifications for lower fees based on blindness or military status.http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/Statewide/Regulations/PDFs/licenseinfo.pdf