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 & Release Affidavit
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 Affidavit
| Alaska State Trophy Fish Recordholders | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Trophy Certificate Min. Weight | Catch & Release Certificate Min. Length | Recordholders | |||
| lbs/oz | Year | Location | Angler | |||
| Arctic Char/Dolly Varden | 10 lbs | 30 inches | 27/6 | 2002 | Wulik River | Mike Curtiss |
| Brook trout | 3 lbs | 20 inches | 3/4 | 2012 | Green Lake | Kyle Kitka |
| Burbot | 8 lbs | 32 inches | 24/12 | 1976 | Lake Louise | George R. Howard |
| King salmon (from Kenai River) | 75 lbs | N/A | 97/4 | 1985 | Kenai River | Lester Anderson |
| King salmon (from other waters) | 50 lbs | N/A | ||||
| Chum salmon | 15 lbs | N/A | 32/0 | 1985 | Caamano Point | Fredrick Thynes |
| Coho salmon | 20 lbs | N/A | 26/0 | 1976 | Icy Strait | Andrew Robbins |
| Cutthroat trout | 3 lbs | 20 inches | 8/6 | 1977 | Wilson Lake | Robert Denison |
| Grayling | 3 lbs | 18 inches | 5/1 | 2008 | Fish River | Peter Cockwill |
| Halibut | 250 lbs | N/A | 459/0 | 1996 | Unalaska Bay | Jack Tragis |
| Lake trout | 20 lbs | 36 inches | 47/0 | 1970 | Clarence Lake | Daniel Thorsness |
| Lingcod | 55 lbs | 53 inches | 81/6 | 2002 | Monty Island | Charles Curny |
| Northern pike | 15 lbs | 40 inches | 38/8 | 1991 | Innoko River | Jack Wagner |
| Pink salmon | 8 lbs | N/A | 13/7 | 2016 | Kenai River | Robert Dubar |
| Rainbow/Steelhead trout | 15 lbs | 32 inches | 42/3 | 1970 | Bell Island | David White |
| Rockfish | 18 lbs | N/A | 39/1 | 2013 | Sitka | Henry Lieberman |
| Sheefish | 30 lbs | 36 inches | 53/0 | 1986 | Pah River | Lawrence E. Hudnall |
| Sockeye salmon | 12 lbs | N/A | 16/0 | 1974 | Kenai River | Chuck Leach |
| Whitefish | 4 lbs | N/A | 9/0 | 1989 | Tozitna River | Al Mathews |