Getting Your License
Every adult on a float trip needs a valid Alaska sport fishing license covering Alaska rainbow trout, salmon, char, and grayling fisheries. Buy it online before you leave home.
- Alaska Sport Fishing License — required for all anglers age 16+ (nonresident) or 18+ (resident)
- 14-Day license — covers 7, 8, and 10-day trips plus any weather holds or travel delays
- King Salmon Stamp if applicable — required when Chinook are present, even if releasing
- Printed or digital copy on your person while fishing — not in camp, not in your pack
Alaska fishing licenses are sold in 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day, and annual durations. Our trips run 7, 8, or 10 days on the water. A 7-day license starting mid-day on your first fishing day will usually cover you through mid-day on your last — but a weather hold, a travel delay, or an extra day at the hub city can put you outside that window. A 14-day license covers every possibility. Buy the 14-day and don’t think about it again.
Alaska residents age 18 or older and nonresidents age 16 or older must purchase and possess a valid sport fishing license while fishing. You must carry it on your person while on the water — not in camp, not in your pack. On your person.
Go to the ADFG license store. Visit adfg.alaska.gov and select the license type that matches your residency status.
Choose the right duration. Buy a 14-day license for any 7-day float trip. Annual licenses cover the calendar year if you plan to fish multiple trips.
Add a King Salmon stamp if applicable. If your trip window includes Chinook (King) Salmon, you will also need a King Salmon tag. See the section below.
Print or save your license. Keep a printed copy and a digital backup. Have it accessible on the water, not just at camp.
If you arrive at the river without a valid license, you will not be able to fish. There is no workaround, no grace period, and no way to purchase a license once you are in the field. Buy it before you leave home.
Unsure what license you need? Paul can tell you exactly what applies for your specific river and trip dates — before you buy anything.
The King Salmon Stamp
Fishing for Chinook (King) Salmon in Alaska requires a separate King Salmon tag in addition to your sport fishing license. The requirements are specific — read them carefully.
King Stamp — What You Need to Know
When Chinook Salmon are present on the rivers we operate, a King Salmon tag is required — even if you plan to release them. If Chinook are present in the water during your trip window, have the stamp. The tag must be:
- Signed in ink on the face of the stamp. An unsigned stamp is not valid.
- Affixed to the back of your current year’s sport fishing license. It does not stand alone.
- In your possession on the water any time you are fishing in waters where Kings may be present.
King Salmon stamps are purchased at the ADFG license store along with your regular license. If you are unsure whether your specific trip window requires a King Stamp, contact Paul before your trip — he can tell you what is applicable for your river and dates.
Note: King Salmon regulations, bag limits, and open/closed status vary by river and by year. Check the current ADFG regulation booklet for the specific drainage you will be fishing.
Fish Retention
Alaska Rainbow Adventures operates a strong catch-and-release ethic on all trips. The regulations set the legal limits — our policy sets a higher standard than that.
Our standard practice is to release all species unharmed throughout the float. Wild Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, Grayling, and the salmon species are all returned to the water. We have fished these rivers for over 30 years — the quality of the fishery depends directly on the health of the populations. Learn more about the operation on the About Alaska Rainbow Adventures page.
| Species | Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Release Only | All wild rainbows returned. No exceptions. |
| Arctic Char & Dolly Varden | Release Only | Returned throughout the float. |
| Arctic Grayling | Release Only | Returned throughout the float. |
| Salmon — During Float | Release Only | Salmon are released throughout the trip. Cooler capacity and freshness make retention impractical mid-float. |
| Salmon — Last Day Only | Occasional Keep | If you want a salmon or two for the table, the last day of the trip is the time to retain one. Male fish only, within legal limits. |
Alaska Rainbow Adventures does not offer fish processing, cleaning, or freezing services. Processing services are rarely available in our hub cities — King Salmon, Dillingham, and Bethel are small, remote communities. If bringing fish home is a priority, confirm availability before your trip. Do not assume you can get fish processed at the hub city.
Current Regulations
ADFG publishes sport fishing regulations by region. The three drainage booklets below cover every river we operate on. These are updated annually — always verify you are reading the current year’s regulations.
ADFG regulation booklets are updated each year. Bag limits, open seasons, emergency orders, and gear restrictions can all change. Always verify you are reading the current year’s regulations for the specific drainage you will be fishing. Note: ADFG Regs supersede anything found on this page.
Questions About Licensing or Regulations?
Paul can point you in the right direction for your specific river and trip dates.