Fish Chart and Limits

SOUTHEAST ALASKA’S FAMED FISHING GROUNDS

The sheer abundance of wild salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish in our waters is what has established Waterfall Resort’s acclaim over the last century, first as a record-breaking cannery and today as full-service fishing lodge. Our region’s fishing season runs May through September. Annual bag limits, listed below, are issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Questions? Contact us at 800-544-5125.

**2024 Limits**

Below are the 2024 limits for reference, all limits are subject to change for the 2025 season.

King Salmon (Chinook)

The largest of Pacific salmon, kings or Chinooks average 14 to 17 pounds and about 36 inches long, and tend to appear in June.
2024 Nonresident Season Limits:

• One fish daily, 28 inches or longer.
• January 1 - June : Annual possession limit is three king salmon.
• July 1- July 15: Annual possession limit is two king salmon.
• July 16- December 31: Annual possession limit is one king salmon.
• 2022 - 2025: King fishing will remain open all season although there may be reductions on the annual limit.

Any king caught January through June applies toward the annual fish limit.
Best Months to catch Salmon: Although large king salmon can be caught throughout the summer months, the peak king salmon season is mid-June through the beginning of August. 

Silver Salmon (Coho)

Silvers average 8 to 12 pounds and about two-and-a-half feet long, and are abundant in our waters during their late summer run.
2024 Nonresident Season Limits: Six fish per day, with no annual limit.
Best Months to Catch Silver Salmon: Much like kings, silvers are present throughout the summer months, however their peak season is end of July through September. 

Pink Salmon (Humpback)

Also known as “humpies” pinks are the smallest of Pacific salmon, averaging 3 to 5 pounds and 15 to 20 inches long. They swim to our waterfall in August.
2024 Nonresident Season Limits: Six fish per day 16 inches or longer, with no annual limit.

Pacific Halibut

Large and flat, Southeast Alaska’s halibut can weigh more than 100 pounds, with the larger adults tipping the scales at well over 300 pounds.
2024 Nonresident Season Limits: 

• One fish daily.
• February 1 - July 14 : Retained halibut must be either 40 inches or less or 80 inches or more in length
• July 15 - End of Season: Retained halibut must be either 36 inches or less or 80 inches or more in length
• No annual limit.
• Halibut in the slot between 40 inches and 80 inches must be released.
• Friday closures: May not retain halibut (except GAF) on all Fridays beginning July 19, 2024 and continuing through September 13, 2024.

Best Months to Catch Halibut: Large halibut are caught through out the summer months, from the beginning of June through the end of September. 

Lingcod

Lingcod may weigh over 80 pounds and reach five feet long or more. In spite of their size, lingcod yield only about 20 percent of their weight for your dinner plate.
2024 Nonresident Season Limits: One fish 30 to 35 inches, and one fish 55 inches or longer, with an annual limit of two fish.

Pelagic Rockfish Species

Pelagics include dusky, dark, widow, blue, yellowtail, and black rockfish, known in Alaska as “black bass.”
2024 Nonresident Season Limits: Five fish per day, with no annual limit.

Posted limits are for reference only. Sport-fishing limits are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the International Pacific Halibut Commission and subject to change without notice.