ADF&G's Trophy Fish Program
Sport Fishing
Anglers have been participating since the 1960s in the ADF&G Trophy Fish Program, which gives special recognition to anglers taking fish that meet minimum weight (trophy certificates) or length standards (catch-and-release certificates) within a species. Trophy fish for both certificates must be legally caught from waters open to the public, in compliance with current ADF&G sport fishing regulations.
There is a Youth Category for the Trophy Fish Program, open to anglers 15 years of age or younger.
Catch-and-Release Certificate
For catch-and-release certificates, it’s best not to remove your fish from the water. Hold it just at the water’s surface while a photograph is quickly taken, then release it into the current. Minimum lengths for catch-and-release certificates are listed in the table below. Not applicable to all species
Catch-and-Release Minimum Requirements
Trophy Fish Certificate
Minimum weights for trophy fish certificates are listed on the table below. Entries must be weighed in the presence of at least one witness or a Trophy Fish Official, on a scale currently certified by the Division of Weights and Measures.
Trophy Fish Minimum Requirements
Alaska State Trophy Fish Recordholders
Arctic Char/Dolly Varden
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 10lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 30in
Recordholder: 27lbs 6oz in 2002 by Mike Curtiss at the Wilik River.
Brook trout
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 3lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 20in
Recordholder: 3lbs 4oz in 2012 by Kyle Kitka at Green Lake
Burbot
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 8lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 32in
Recordholder: 24lbs 12oz in 1976 by George R. Howard at Lake Louise
King salmon (from Kenai River)
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 75lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: n/a
Recordholder: 97lbs 4oz in 1985 by Lester Anderson at the Kenia River
King salmon (from other waters)
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 50lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 50in
Recordholder: n/a
Chum salmon
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 15lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 34in
Recordholder: 32lbs 0oz in 1985 by Fredrick Thynes at Caamano Point
Coho salmon
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 20lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: n/a
Recordholder: 26lbs in 1976 by Andrew Robbins at Icy Strait
Cutthroat trout
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 3lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 18in
Recordholder: 8lbs 6oz in 1977 by Robert Denison at Wilson Lake
Grayling
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 3lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 18in
Recordholder: 5lbs 1oz in 2008 by Peter Cockwill at Fish River
Halibut
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 250lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: n/a
Recordholder: 459lbs in 1996 by Jack Tragis at Unalaska Bay
Lake trout
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 20lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 36in
Recordholder: 47lbs in 1970 by Daniel Thorsness at Clarence Lake
Lingcod
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 55lbs| Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 53in
Recordholder: 81lbs 6oz in 2002 by Charles Curny at Monty Island
Northern pike
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 15lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 40in
Recordholder: 38lbs 8oz in 1991 by Jack Wagner at Innoko River
Pink salmon
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 8lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 27in
Recordholder: 13lb 7oz in 2016 by Robert Dubar at Kenai River
Rainbow/Steelhead trout
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 15lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 32in
Recordholder: 42lb 3oz in 1970 by David White at Bell Island
Pelagic Rockfish
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 10lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 25in
Recordholder:
Nonpelagic Rockfish
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 18lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 30in
Recordholder: 39lbs 1oz in 2013 by Henry Lieberman at Sitka
Sheefish
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 30lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 36in
Recordholder:
Sockeye salmon
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 12lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: 30in
Recordholder: 16lbs in 1974 by Chuck Leach at Kenai River
Whitefish
Trophy Certificate Minimum Weight: 4lbs | Catch & Release Certificate Minimum Length: n/a
Recordholder: 9lbs in 1989 by Al Mathews at Tozitna River