ADFG · Alaska Department of Fish & Game

The Ethical Angler

A summary of what angling ethics look like in practice, adapted from Alaska Department of Fish and Game guidelines.

  • Respects other anglers’ rights
  • Respects the rights of others who use the resource
  • Respects the rights of property owners
  • Keeps only fish he or she actually wants
  • Releases unwanted fish unharmed
  • Never litters or pollutes
  • Knows and follows boating and fishing regulations
  • Seeks new knowledge and skills
  • Shares knowledge with others

These aren’t aspirational abstractions. They are the baseline standard that makes any fishery worth returning to. Proper fish handling and catch-and-release practices are part of this ethic as well.

Angling ethics — Alaska float fishing
On the Water · Why This Matters

Ethics on the Water

Following the law keeps you out of trouble. Following your ethics keeps the sport worth doing. Ethical fishing depends as much on courtesy and restraint as it does on skill.

By following the law, we can be confident we won’t be cited. But our ethics define something beyond compliance — how we treat other anglers, the respect we show to private land and subsistence users, our honesty with ourselves and those around us, whether we pick up litter or leave it, and whether we work to help new anglers understand and appreciate the sport. Respect for other anglers and the resource applies on every Alaska river, from the most popular runs to the most remote.

On the rivers we run, we share the water with Yup’ik residents who have fished these drainages for generations and whose subsistence traditions predate any sportfishing operation by centuries. Ethical behavior on our part isn’t optional — it is a condition of operating in this landscape and a matter of respect for the communities whose home waters these are.

Fishing around others — even a small group on a quieter river — tests your ethics in specific ways. Even on the more remote rivers we run, these same principles apply whenever anglers share the same water. The following principles keep things functional and enjoyable for everyone.

Alaska float fishing — ethical angling on the river
Adapted from an Alaska DNR Guideline

The Ten Commandments of Fishing a Crowded Spot

These rules go beyond the law. They make for a better experience for everyone on the water — including you.

Ten Rules · Every Angler Should Know
When sharing the water, a few simple guidelines keep things running smoothly for everyone.
  1. All persons who fish these waters are equal.
  2. Give each other space to fish.
  3. Do not take the spot of an angler who is busy landing a fish.
  4. Use tackle heavy enough to control your fish quickly.
  5. Land your fish quickly so that other anglers can get their gear back in the water.
  6. When someone near you hooks a fish, keep your tackle out of the way — stop fishing.
  7. Fish in the same manner as nearby anglers.
  8. Do not litter. Pack out what you pack in, and more.
  9. Do not intentionally snag fish. Release those that are accidentally snagged quickly.
  10. Be considerate and courteous to fellow anglers and all visitors.
In short, angling ethics have a lot to do with the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have done to you. — Adapted from an Alaska DNR guideline. Original text by John Lyman, aquatic education coordinator, Sport Fish Division, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Related Resources · Plan Your Trip

Other Trip Planning Pages

Ethics are one piece of preparing for an Alaska float trip. These pages cover the practical side.

Catch & Release F.A.Q. Packing Info Safety Fishing Info Flies & Tackle Travel Insurance Terms & Conditions Fishing License

These standards are part of how we have operated on Alaska’s rivers since 1993.

Questions Before You Book?

Paul will give you a straight answer on any aspect of the trip — logistics, gear, what to expect on the water, which river fits your timing.

View the Trip Schedule

Or call (907) 357-0251 (voice only)  ·  info@akrainbow.com