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 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 practical way to purchase a license once you are in the field. Buy it before you leave home.
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
If your trip occurs during periods when Chinook (King) Salmon may be present or open to fishing, a King Salmon tag is typically required — even if you plan to release them. 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.
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.
Alaska Rainbow Adventures policies are separate from and more restrictive than ADFG regulations. Anglers are still responsible for complying with all applicable laws regardless of our internal guidelines.
| 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 | Occasional Keep | Standard practice is catch-and-release throughout the float. We will occasionally keep a salmon or two for appetizers or the table when conditions allow. Last day is the most practical time for retention. 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. ADFG regulations supersede all information provided on this page.
Questions About Licensing or Regulations?
Paul can point you in the right direction for your specific river and trip dates.