Boardwalk Lodge Rockfish Regulations in 2025

Salmon and halibut are often the most targeted fish in Southeast Alaska. They are both great fighters and are delicious. However, another family of fish, the Rockfish, is sometimes overlooked. In 2025, nonresident anglers visiting Boardwalk Lodge on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, can fish for various rockfish species, including pelagic and non-pelagic types. A pelagic fish lives in the open ocean, away from the sea floor. It swims in the water column, usually following currents and food sources. Pelagic species include tuna, mackerel, and some rockfish. Pelagic species, such as dusky, dark, widow, blue, yellowtail, and black rockfish, are faster growing and more resilient to fishing pressure. Non-pelagic species, including yelloweye, quillback, copper, canary, china, tiger, and rosethorn rockfish, are slower-growing and live longer, making them more susceptible to overfishing.

​Rockfish have remarkable longevity, with some species living over 100 years. They reproduce via internal fertilization and give birth to live young, usually from April to July, in Southeast Alaska. Due to their slow growth and late maturity, some rockfish populations are vulnerable to overexploitation, forcing careful management.​

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has implemented specific regulations for nonresident anglers in 2025 to protect these species. For demersal shelf rockfish (non-pelagic type), including yelloweye, the season is open from July 1 through August 25, with a daily bag limit of one fish and an annual limit of one fish per angler. These measures aim to ensure the sustainability of rockfish populations while allowing for recreational fishing opportunities.

The sport fishing regulations for pelagic rockfish are three fish per day and six in possession. There is no size limit.

​Anglers are encouraged to handle rockfish carefully to minimize injury, especially when releasing non-target species. Using a mandated release device helps return fish to their depth safely, reducing barotrauma effects. By adhering to regulations and practicing responsible fishing techniques, nonresident anglers visiting Boardwalk Lodge contribute to conserving the rockfish species of Prince of Wales Island.​