Basic Definitions:
Personal use fishing means the taking, fishing for, or possession of finfish, shellfish, or other fishery resources, by Alaska residents for personal use and not for sale or barter, with gill or dip net, seine, fish wheel, long line, or other means defined by the Board of Fisheries (AS 16.05.940[24]).
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recognizes the definition of subsistence fishing to mean the taking of, fishing for, or possession of fish, shellfish, or other fisheries resources by a resident of the state for subsistence uses with gillnet, seine, fish wheel, long line, or other means defined by the Board of Fisheries.
Those are the short, legal definitions for personal use fishing and subsistence fishing. For more detailed defintions please see the following links: personal use fishing and subsistence fishing.
Who manages subsistence fishing and personal use fishing in Alaska?
Subsistence fishing on state waters in Alaska is managed by regional offices of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries. See the following link for additional information on state waters -- see paragraph (13)]. For additional information please contact one of our ADF&G Division of Commercial Fisheries offices.
For additional information on subsistence fishing on Federal public lands or waters in Alaska please see the Federal Subsistence Management Program website (http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml) or contact the members of the Federal Subsistence Board.
Personal use fishing is primarily managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sport Fish Division, but some regional or area fisheries for various species of fish are managed by the Division of Commercial Fisheries.
For example, permitting for Southeast Alaska king crab personal use fisheries are handled out of the Southeast Regional office, Division of Commercial Fisheries, in Douglas, Alaska (Juneau).
Generally fish may be taken for personal use purposes only under authority of a permit issued by the department. Always check with your local ADF&G Office.
For links out to personal use fishing and subsistence fishing information for specific areas of Alaska please see the following pages: personal use fishing and subsistence fishing.
