Alaska Minimum Sizes & Regulations

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Alaska Tropht Fish Application Form

 Trophy Fish Certificates are issued by the department to give special recognition to anglers taking fish that meet minimum weight qualifications for each species.

   Honorary Trophy Fish Certificates and a patch will be issued to entrants who catch and release fish of trophy qualifying lengths for specific species (see below).

• ENTRIES MUST MEET MINIMUM WEIGHT QUALIFICATIONS AND MUST BE WEIGHED ON A CURRENTLY CERTIFIED SCALE. The scale must be certified annually by the Division of Weights and Measures. Weighing must occur in the presence of witnesses and a Trophy Fish Official all of whom must sign the affidavit. Division of Sport Fish biologists may also serve as Trophy Officials. At least one witness is mandatory.
  
  
• The entrant must sign the affidavit in the presence of a Trophy Fish Official. Trophy Fish Officials have been designated at numerous locations throughout Alaska: for a list of the Trophy Fish Officials in your area, contact your local ADF&G office.
  
  
• Length measurements must be straight line measurements from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.
  
  
• Halibut entries may also qualify by meeting a minimum length requirement of 84 inches. The fish must be measured in the presence of a Trophy Fish Official. Halibut not weighed on a certified scale will not be considered for state or annual records.
  
  
• The entrant must submit an original affidavit no later than January 31 of the year following the catch to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, PO Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802-5526. Affidavit forms are available from Fish and Game offices and are printed on the back of all sport fishing regulation booklets. Correspondence concerning your entry should be directed to the above address. Please notify ADF&G of any change of address to ensure delivery of your certificate.
  
  
• ADF&G reserves the right to check fish identification or to refuse any questionable affidavits. Decisions of the department are final.
  
  
• Fish must be hooked and played by only one angler. Assistance is permissible in landing or boating the fish.
  
  
• Fish must be legally caught in compliance with current ADF&G sport fishing regulations. A current sport fishing license and any applicable tags or harvest record requirements must be met. Fish caught from waters not open to the public are not eligible.
  
  
• A separate affidavit form must be completed in full and submitted for each entry. Incomplete forms may disqualify entrants.
  
  
• A clear photograph, showing a close-up side view of the fish must accompany each entry form. A size-reference object must be included in the picture. The photograph will not be returned: it becomes the property of the department and may be used in information releases or posted on the Trophy Fish Gallery.

Trophy fish certificates for catch-and-release and a patch are issued to entrants who catch-and-release resident fish of trophy size. Species considered for Trophy Catch-and Release certificates are Arctic char/Dolly Varden, Arctic grayling, brook trout, cutthroat trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, or sheefish. In order to reduce additional handling of the fish, entrants should estimate its length instead of actually measuring it. A clear photograph showing a close up side view of the fish (preferably in the water) must accompany each entry form. Photographs may be posted on the Trophy Fish Gallery.

Entries exhibiting any indication of improper handling or injury in the photograph will be disqualified. At least one witness is mandatory.

Minimum lengths for catch-and-release certificates:

• Arctic Char/Dolly Varden: 30 inches
• Arctic grayling: 18 inches
• brook trout: 20 inches
• cutthroat trout: 20 inches
• lake trout: 36 inches
• lingcod: 53 inches
• northern pike: 40 inches
• rainbow/steelhead: 32 inches
• sheefish: 45 inches