2026-02853Proposed Rule

Alaska Subsistence Fishing Seasons Tweaked for 2027-2029

Published Date: 2/12/2026

Proposed Rule

Summary

This proposed rule updates the rules for fishing and shellfish gathering on Alaska’s public lands for 2027-28 and 2028-29. It affects subsistence users by setting new seasons, limits, and methods to keep things fair and sustainable. Public meetings and comment periods are open in 2026, so folks have a chance to weigh in before final decisions are made in early 2027.

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Subsistence fishing rules updated

This proposed rule updates seasons, harvest limits, and allowed methods for taking fish and shellfish on Federal public lands in Alaska for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 regulatory years. The Board will consider and adopt these changes at a public meeting in February 2027 after public meetings and comment periods in 2026.

Closures will be reviewed and may change

The Board will review listed fish and shellfish closures (for example, Kanuti River, Bonanza Creek, Unalaska Lake, Summers and Morris Lakes, and others) during this cycle and may maintain, modify, or rescind those closures for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 years. If a closure is rescinded, any new seasons, methods, or harvest limits for that area must go through the full public proposal and review process.

Eligibility limited to rural Alaska residents

Only Alaska residents of areas or communities officially identified as rural are eligible to participate in the Federal Subsistence Management Program. That eligibility rule determines who may use subsistence priority on Federal public lands in Alaska.

Tribes and Alaska Native corporations can consult

Federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native corporations will be offered consultation and outreach opportunities on this proposed rule, including the chance to propose changes, comment, and participate at Regional Council and Board meetings. The Board says it will consider and address Tribal input as practicable during this rulemaking.

No significant small-business economic impact

The Departments certify under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The rulemaking states the resources are already harvested and consumed locally and will not create substantial new economic effects.

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Key Dates

Published Date
Comments Due
2/12/2026
4/3/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Agriculture Department
Forest Service
Interior Department
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