Wrangell-St. Elias

National Park and Preserve, Alaska

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

+

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1-2 Introduction

2 Land Status 

3 Park Map 

4 Hunting

5-6 Know What to

 Salvage 

7 Sealing of Hides & 

 Skulls

7 Guided Sport 

 Hunting

7 Trapping

8 FAQs - Hunting

9 Private Property

10-11 Nabesna &

 McCarthy Rd Maps

12 Fishing 

13 FAQs - Fishing

14 Access 

15 FAQs - Access

16 Food Storage 

17 Bear Safety

18-19 Backcountry

 Safety 

20 More Information 

 & Contacts

User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

Wrangell-St. Elias is home to many fish and wildlife species and contains one of 

the largest concentrations of Dall sheep in North America – healthy populations 

of sheep are found along rocky ridges and mountainsides. Moose are often 

seen near willow bogs and lakes. Other species of large mammals include 

mountain goats, caribou, wolves, and two small herds of introduced bison. 

Black bears and brown bears (grizzlies) are found throughout the park and 

preserve, and small mammals include lynx, wolverine, beaver, marten, fox, 

porcupine, coyotes, marmots, river otters, ground squirrels, pikas, and voles.

The United States Congress established Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and 

Preserve along with other conservation units in Alaska in 1980 when it passed 

the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, commonly known as 

ANILCA. In addition to subsistence harvests by local rural residents, it provided 

the opportunity for hunting and trapping in the national preserve and fishing in 

both the national park and the national preserve under State of Alaska 

regulations. 

Alaska national preserves offer an opportunity to hunt in some of the wildest 

places in our country. The National Park Service (NPS) supports the opportunity 

to hunt by protecting wildlife and their habitats. All harvest activities must be 

consistent with federal laws and NPS regulations intended to maintain natural 

ecological processes and naturally functioning ecosystems. In some cases, this 

means that people hunting and trapping in the preserve and fishing in park and 

preserve must follow NPS regulations as well as those established by the State 

of Alaska.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 1 

Wrangell-St. Elias National 

Park and Preserve, the largest 

park in the country, was 

established to maintain the 

natural scenic beauty of the 

diverse geologic-, glacial-, 

and riparian-dominated 

landscapes; to protect the 

attendant wildlife populations 

and their habitats; to ensure 

continued access for a wide 

range of wilderness-based 

recreation; and to provide 

continued opportunities for 

subsistence use. Wrangell Mountains and the Copper River/NPS
2 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

This guide has been developed to provide important information for people interested in harvesting fish 

and wildlife in Wrangell-St. Elias under State of Alaska regulations. It focuses on things that hunters, 

trappers, and fishers need to know about harvesting resources in the park and preserve that might be 

different from other locations. NPS regulations may restrict activities that are otherwise allowed under 

State of Alaska regulations. In such cases, the NPS regulations apply. Topics addressed include land status; 

eligibility and requirements for use of a sport hunting guide; license, salvage, and sealing requirements; 

trapping; fishing; food storage requirements and other bear safety recommendations; backcountry safety; 

and respecting private property. Answers to frequently asked questions and who to contact for more 

information are also provided.

All park visitors, including hunters, trappers and fishers, are responsible for knowing and complying with 

NPS regulations, such as food storage requirements and any applicable harvest regulations. This guide 

should be used in coordination with the public regulation booklet produced by the Alaska Department of 

Fish and Game (ADF&G), which has the most up-to-date regulations and hunt-specific information. 

Land Status: National Park versus National Preserve

Some lands in Wrangell-St. Elias are designated as national park, while others are designated as national 

preserve. The park map on page 3 shows the location of park and preserve lands along with the location 

of non-federal lands within Wrangell-St. Elias. Additional maps for popular hunting areas are provided 

on pages 10 and 11. Hunting and trapping under State of Alaska regulations established by the Alaska 

Board of Game are only authorized in the national preserve. Both Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and 

Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve are open to fishing under State of Alaska regulations established by 

the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

To generate and download customized georeferenced PDF maps, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/wrst/

planyourvisit/maps.htm. Third party applications (apps) for smartphones also provide land status 

information and can be a helpful resource. Many of these apps are designed for hunting. Not all mobile 

applications have land status information for Alaska and it is the responsibility of users to ensure the app 

is up to date and is providing correct information.

Introduction & Land Status

If you are new to 

Wrangell-St. Elias, make 

sure to read the material 

on backcountry safety. 

The life that is saved 

could be your own. 

Note that different rules 

may apply to local rural 

residents harvesting 

resources under federal 

subsistence regulations. 

It is important to be 

aware of which rules 

apply to you before 

hunting, trapping and 

fishing in Wrangell-St. 

Elias.

Beach landing on Malaspina Forelands with Hubbard Glacier in the distance/NPS
Park Map

 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 3

About the Map

• Note that land status may change and that the maps in this guide may not provide sufficient detail 

for you to locate non-federal lands or access easements on the ground. Contact the park or the 

 landowner (for Alaska Native Corporation lands) for further information about land status.

• The maps in this guide only show land status within the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias National 

Park and Preserve. For information about the location of other public lands in the area open to 

hunting, trapping and fishing, contact the appropriate land management agencies – the State 

of Alaska, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the USDA Forest 

Service.
Hunting

Hunters are responsible for knowing and complying with current State of Alaska hunting regulations and 

must carry licenses, harvest tickets, and tags while hunting. Become familiar with food storage rules and 

Leave No Trace practices and follow them while camping in the national preserve. Please do your part to 

minimize human impacts in the preserve. Always know the land status of where you are and be sure you 

are hunting legally. Federal and state law prohibits interfering with another hunter’s pursuit of game.

All hunters 18 years of age or older must have a valid State of Alaska license to hunt in the preserve. All 

hunting must be done in accordance with Alaska laws and regulations. Bag and possession limits vary by 

species and by area. Always check current hunting regulations, which are available at park visitor centers, 

at Alaska Department of Fish and Game offices and their website: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov. Some 

aspects of the regulations, such as seasons and harvest limits, are organized by geographic areas called 

Game Management Units or GMUs. Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve includes lands within GMUs 5, 

11, 12, and 13. 

Different hunting seasons and regulations apply depending on residency status, location, and species 

hunted, including whether you are required to hunt with a licensed guide. Generally, a resident is 

someone who has lived in Alaska for the last continuous year. Nonresident hunters may have lived in the 

state for less than a year, have a non-primary residence in the state, or be visiting from another state or 

country. Nonresidents hunting brown bear, Dall sheep, or mountain goats must be accompanied by a 

registered guide or assistant guide who is employed by a registered guide under Alaska Statute 08.54 

or by a family member (within second degree kindred) over 19 years of age who has an Alaska hunting 

license. Foreigners who do not reside in the United States must be accompanied by a guide licensed in 

Alaska to hunt any big game animal.

Be sure to read the State of Alaska hunting regulations and federal regulations carefully to correctly 

identify your residency status and the regulations that apply to you. For residency definitions, visit the 

website: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.residency.

4

4 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing 

Hunting

Sheep hunting in the Wrangell Mountains/NPS
5 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 5

Know What to Salvage

After an animal has been harvested, it is the hunter’s responsibility to salvage the meat and any other 

parts required by regulation. You must salvage all the edible meat for all big game animals except brown/

grizzly bear, wolf, wolverine, and in certain circumstances black bear. Under State of Alaska regulations, 

the horns, hide, or antlers may be taken out of the field only after the meat is packed out or with the 

final load of meat.

These salvage requirements reflect the high value Alaskans place on game meat, ethical hunting and 

respectful treatment of animals. It is unlawful in Alaska to waste meat, in addition to being a poor 

hunting practice. Failure to salvage edible meat is a serious offense and penalties are severe.

General savage requirements in effect at time of printing this guide are presented below. 

However, be sure to check the current regulations book for any additional salvage requirements 

for your hunt or changes to the general requirements.

Salvage for most big game: If you shoot a moose, caribou, sheep, mountain goat, or bison, you must 

salvage the following:

• All the neck meat,

• All the chest meat (brisket),

• All the meat of the ribs,

• Front quarters to the knee,

• Hindquarters to the hock, and

• All the meat along the backbone (backstrap and tenderloins).

Hunting
Hunting 

Some areas require that meat be left on the bone until it is removed from the field. If meat is removed 

from the bone, make sure to trim closely to remove all the edible meat. You are not required to salvage 

the meat of the head, guts, bones, sinew, and meat left on the bones after close trimming, or meat that 

has been damaged and made inedible by the bullet or arrow. These portions of the animal may be left in 

the field because they are not included in the definition of edible meat that must be salvaged.

Salvage for brown/grizzly bears: You must salvage the entire hide (with claws attached) and skull of 

a brown/grizzly bear unless it was taken in (and not removed from) one of the subsistence hunt areas 

under a state subsistence registration permit.

Salvage for black bears:

• Meat: In all areas of the state during Jan 1-May 31, edible meat must be salvaged and removed from 

 the field. This meat may not be used for pet food or bait. 

• Skull AND Hide or Skull AND Meat: In Unit 5, the skull must be salvaged and removed from the field 

 year round for sealing; during June 1-Dec 31, either the hide with claws attached (for sealing) or the 

 meat must also be salvaged and removed from the field. 

• Hide or Meat: In Units 11-13, during June 1-Dec 31, either the hide (with claws attached) or the meat 

 must be salvaged and removed from the field.

When the salvage of bear meat is required, you must salvage the meat of the front quarters and 

hindquarters and meat along the backbone (backstraps). When the salvage of brown bear meat is 

required under a subsistence permit, you must also salvage all of the meat of the neck, brisket and ribs. 

The meat is required to be salvaged first, and bear hides and skulls (when required to be salvaged) may 

be transported simultaneously with the last load of meat.

Salvage for small game: You must salvage either the hide or meat of beaver, pika, and ground squirrel. 

For small game birds, the breast meat must be salvaged, except for geese, cranes, and swans; for these 

you must salvage the meat of the breast, back, legs, thighs, wings.

Salvage for furbearers and fur animals: You must salvage the hide of a wolf, wolverine, coyote, fox, 

or lynx.

Antler or horn salvage: Antlers or horns may not be removed from the kill site until all of the edible 

meat has been salvaged; they may accompany the last load of meat. In hunts with antler or horn 

restrictions, antlers or horns must be salvaged and may not be altered unless required by permit 

conditions. Antlers must remain naturally attached to the unbroken/uncut skull plate if the required 

number of brow tines aren’t present. 

Evidence of sex: If you kill a big game animal (other than a sheep) where the bag limit is restricted to 

one sex, you must keep enough of the sex organs (penis, scrotum, testicles, udder, teats, vaginal orifice) 

naturally attached to part of a hind quarter to show the sex of the animal, until the animal is processed 

for human consumption. Antlers are not proof of sex, except for deer when the antlers are naturally 

attached to the entire carcass with or without the viscera. Horns are evidence of sex for Dall sheep, and 

they must be kept with sheep meat until it is processed for human consumption. Horns may be transported simultaneously with the final load of meat. Hides of brown bears taken in all units in the preserve, 

and of black bears taken in Unit 5 must have the penis sheath or vaginal orifice naturally attached during 

transport or until sealed. During June 1-Dec 31, meat of black bears in Unit 5 must have evidence of sex 

attached to the hind quarter until the skull is sealed, unless the hide is sealed.

6 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing
Hunting & Trapping

 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 7

Sealing of Hides or Skulls

If you harvest a bear, beaver, lynx, marten, otter, sheep, wolf, or wolverine you may need to have it 

sealed. Sealing means having an authorized representative of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

place a seal on an animal hide, skull, or both. These requirements apply to animals harvested under both 

hunting and trapping regulations. Sealing requirements vary by species and area, so check the 

information relative to your particular harvest to see if there are sealing requirements.

Guided Sport Hunting

Hunters who are not Alaska residents must be accompanied by a registered guide or assistant guide 

employed by a registered guide as follows under Alaska Statute 16.05.407:

• Nonresident: guide required for brown/grizzly bear, sheep or goat.

• Nonresident alien (citizen of a foreign country who is not a U.S. resident): guide required for brown/

 grizzly bear, black bear, bison, caribou, deer, elk, goat, moose, muskox, sheep, wolf or wolverine.

Hunters may also choose to employ a registered guide to enhance their hunting experience through the 

local knowledge and expertise of the guide, even if one is not required.

In Wrangell-St. Elias, hunting guides are managed through concessions contracts to provide sport 

hunting services in each of fifteen guide areas in the preserve. For information about hunting guides 

who are authorized to operate in Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve, visit the NPS Alaska Region 

website: https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/services-wrangell-st-elias.htm.

Trapping

Trapping furbearers and fur animals under State of Alaska regulations is only allowed in the preserve. You 

must have a state trapping license. All trapping must be done in accordance with Alaska State laws and 

regulations, including seasons, harvest limits, and salvage and sealing requirements. Always check current 

trapping regulations, which are available at ADF&G offices and on the department’s website: 

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov. Trappers are encouraged to read and follow the Trapper Code of Ethics, 

which is available on the back of the State of Alaska trapping regulations booklet.

Furs at a local store/NPS

arrow on NPS lands, including the preserve, under a 

trapping license. However, some free-ranging furbearers 

may be taken with a firearm under a hunting license if there 

are applicable hunting seasons and harvest limits for the 

species and area. A firearm may also be used to dispatch a 

furbearer that is caught in a trap.

Please trap in ways to minimize conflicts between trapping 

and other users. Avoid situations, for example, where you 

might catch a domestic dog or cat, such as near homes or 

trails frequently used by skiers, skijorers, or mushers. At the 

end of the season, please remove all litter from the trapline, 

including broken boxes and trap pan covers.

NPS regulations define a trap as “a snare, trap, mesh, or other implement designed to entrap animals 

other than fish.” For this reason, free-ranging furbearers may not be taken with a firearm or bow and
Frequently Asked Questions – Hunting

What do I do if I make a mistake? For example, shoot a sub-legal ram or bull, or shoot the 

wrong sex? If you find yourself in this situation, contact the Alaska Regional Communication Center at 

(907) 683-9555, your nearest Ranger Station, the Alaska State Troopers or the Alaska Department of Fish 

and Game to “self-report” your mistake. Failure to do so could result in greater penalties. Also, please 

note that salvage requirements still apply, and the hunter must turn over the animal to the state.

How do bag limits work for hunting? A bag limit is usually the maximum number of animals of any 

one game species a person may take in the state during a regulatory year. A bag limit applies to a 

regulatory year (July 1–June 30) unless otherwise specified, and includes animals taken for any purpose, 

including subsistence. Bag limits from different areas or types of hunts cannot be added together. When 

there is a hunting season and a trapping season for the same species, the bag limit under hunting 

regulations is separate from the bag limit for trapping.

• For small game, there may be daily bag limits, rather than annual limits. In hunts with daily bag 

 limits, there may also be possession limits.

• For migratory game birds, “possession limit” means the maximum number of lawfully taken 

 migratory game birds of a single species or designated aggregate of species that may be possessed 

 by any one person in any specified geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed.

• For resident game birds, “possession limit” means whole birds or the edible meat of game birds, 

 excluding those that are canned, frozen, smoked, dried or otherwise processed for human 

 consumption after a 15-day period.

I am an Alaska resident and have a state subsistence permit. Can I use that permit to hunt in 

the national park? No. Only local rural residents hunting under federal subsistence regulations can hunt 

in the national park. You can, however, hunt in the national preserve under your state subsistence permit.

Can a sport hunter fly into the national park and then walk into national preserve to hunt? 

While taking wildlife is prohibited in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park by other than federally qualified 

local rural residents, generally individuals may land in the area designed as “park” in order to hunt in the 

national preserve. It is important to know that the term “taking”– with respect to wildlife harvest –

includes a range of activities in addition to actual harvest. Under federal regulations, it means “to pursue, 

hunt, shoot, trap, net, capture, collect, kill, harm, or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” 

Additionally, persons transporting wildlife through park areas must identify themselves and the location 

where the wildlife was taken when requested by NPS law enforcement personnel. Hunters should also be 

aware that the rules may also differ if a hunter is employing the services of a big game hunting guide.

Can a hunter use a drone to spot game? No. State of Alaska regulations prohibit the use of any 

device that has been airborne, controlled remotely, or communicates wirelessly, and used to spot or 

locate game with the use of a camera or video device. Additionally, the use of drones from NPS lands is 

generally prohibited for any purpose.

Is hunting allowed in designated wilderness? Yes. Wilderness designation does not affect whether a 

person can hunt, but it may affect allowed means of motorized access (see Access below).

8 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

Hunting
Private Property

 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 9

Please Be Aware of and Respect Private Property

Approximately 1 million of the 13 million acres of land within the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias 

National Park and Preserve are non-federal lands belonging to Alaska Native Corporations, other private 

owners, the University of Alaska, or the State of Alaska. Significant amounts of the non-federal lands are 

located along the McCarthy Road and the east bank of the Copper River (maps on pages 10 and 11).

Hunters, trappers, and fishers are responsible for being aware of and respecting the ownership status 

of lands where they are engaged in harvest activities. Crossing private lands, other than legally reserved 

public access easements, without the permission of the landowner, as well as camping or hunting on 

such lands without permission is trespassing.

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) 17(b) easements cross lands belonging to Alaska Native 

Corporations in order to provide access to public lands and waters. Other uses within the 17(b) 

easements, including hunting, trapping, fishing and camping require permission and possibly a permit 

from the landowner. And in some cases, these activities are prohibited. Easement locations are 

approximate, and there may or may not be trails on the ground.

Contact the park or the landowner for further information about land status within the park and 

preserve boundaries. For information about Native Corporation lands, contact the Lands Department at 

Ahtna, Inc. at (907) 822-3476 and the Chitina Native Corporation at (907) 823-2223. Interactive maps of 

Ahtna lands can be viewed at: http://ahtna-inc.com/lands/.

Reeve’s Field Trailhead near the end of Nabesna Road/NPS
10 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

McCarthy Road 

Mile 14.5 Access road on the north to backcountry trails. Please respect 

 private property by staying on the road.

Mile 15.8 Park on both sides of road for next 4 miles.

Mile 19.8 Park on north side of road. Preserve on south side of road.

Mile 25.5 Preserve on both sides of road.

Mile 43.9 Road crosses Lakina River.

Mile 60.0 Road ends at the Kennicott River. Footbridge for access across the 

river is pedestrian only, no motorized vehicles are permitted.

Notes: 

• Mileposts are based on existing road markers. Mileage may vary slightly

from vehicle to vehicle. Look for signs marking land status changes on both

park roads.

• There is land adjacent to the Nabesna and McCarthy Roads which is private

property, owned by individuals or the University of Alaska or the State of

Alaska. Please respect the rights of private property owners.

• Caribou Creek, Viking Lodge and Nugget Creek public use cabins require

reservations up to six months in advance by emailing wrst_info@nps.gov.

For more information:

https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/backcountry-cabins.htm

Navigating the Nabesna & McCarthy Roads
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 11

Nabesna Road

Mile 0.2 Access road for Slana Ranger Station on south side of road. 

Stop here for road conditions, maps and ORV permits.

Mile 1.7 Slana River bridge. Game Management Unit 11 boundary.

Mile 2.5 National Preserve boundary. The south side of the road 

forms the northern boundary of the Preserve for the next 

1.3 miles.

Mile 3.8 Land on both sides of the road is Preserve.

Mile 5.4 National Park boundary. The south side of the road is Park 

and the north side of the road is Preserve.

Mile 25.0 Game Management Unit 11-12 boundary. Also boundary 

between the Copper River and the Tanana/Yukon River 

drainages.

Mile 27.8 Kendesnii Campground

Mile 28.7 Preserve on both sides of the road.

Mile 41.8 The state maintained portion of the Nabesna Road ends at 

private property. Respect their private property and please 

do not park on the airstrip.

Note: Trail Creek (Mile 29.8), Lost Creek (Mile 31.2), and Boyden 

Creek (Mile 34.3) may be flowing across the road. During spring run 

off or following prolonged rain, high-clearance and/or four-wheel 

drive may be necessary. Carefully evaluate all creeks before crossing.
Fishing

12 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

Fishing

Wrangell-St. Elias is home to a tremendous array of fish resources. With hundreds of miles of streams 

draining into two of Alaska’s major river systems along with numerous lakes, the park contains a 

diverse range of fish species as well as many abundant populations. The primary fish species harvested in 

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve are salmon, burbot, lake trout, whitefish, and Arctic 

grayling.

Wrangell-St. Elias includes waters of three different sport fish regions: the Southcentral Region, the 

Interior Region, and the Southeast Region. The road accessible waters of the park and preserve are 

located in the Upper Copper/Upper Susitna Management Area and in the Upper Tanana River 

Management Area; both are in the Interior Region. Additional waters in more remote locations are found 

in the Yakutat Management Area of the Southeast Region and in waters near the US/Canadian border of 

the Yukon Management Area of the Interior Region.

Fishing is allowed under State of Alaska regulations in both the national park and the national preserve. 

Copies of the regulations are available on the ADF&G website (https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.

cfm?adfg=fishregulations.sport) and at ADF&G offices and may be available at the Copper Center Visitor 

Center and Slana Ranger Station. A State of Alaska sport fishing license is required for all resident anglers 

18 years of age and older and all nonresident anglers 16 years of age and older.

Additionally, the following NPS regulations also apply when sport fishing on NPS-managed waters within 

the park and preserve:

• Sport fishing on waters within Wrangell-St. Elias is only allowed using a closely attended hook and 

 line. Unattended set lines are prohibited.

• Chumming (placing fish eggs or parts, food, or other substances in the water to attract fish) is 

 prohibited.

• The use of any live fish, non-preserved fish eggs or roe, amphibians, or any non-native fish parts as 

 bait is prohibited.

If NPS and state regulations differ, the NPS regulations apply.

Please take precautions to avoid the spread of invasive aquatic species when fishing in Wrangell-St. Elias. 

When moving between water bodies, rinse and remove any plant debris, mud and sediment from gear, 

boats, and boat trailers, floatplane floats and rudders. Completely dry gear between systems or trips. If 

drying is not possible, freeze, wash with hot water (130 degrees F or higher) or decontaminate. State 

regulations prohibit the use of felt soled wading footwear when sport fishing in fresh water.

Fishing for freshwater fish off the Nabesna Road/NPS Arctic Graying/NPS
 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 13

Frequently Asked Questions – Fishing

Are there any places I can’t fish? All lakes and streams within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and 

Preserve are open to fishing, unless they are on private property. Note that not all lakes and streams have 

fish populations. Please contact a visitor center and ask a ranger for advice on specific locations.

Can someone fly into the national park in order to sport fish? Yes. Fixed-wing aircraft may be used 

to fly into the national park for sport fishing.

How do bag or harvest limits work for fishing? For fishing, a bag limit may be a daily limit, which 

means the maximum legal take per person per day, in the area in which the person is fishing, even 

though part or all of the fish are immediately preserved; a fish when landed and killed becomes a part 

of the bag limit of the person originally hooking it. Daily bag limits are often accompanied by possession 

limits, which are the maximum number of unpreserved fish a person may have in possession. Preserved 

fish means fish prepared in such a manner, and in an existing state of preservation, as to be fit for human 

consumption after a 15-day period, and does not include unfrozen fish temporarily stored in coolers that 

contain ice, dry ice, or fish that are lightly salted. In some situations, the bag limit may be an annual limit.

What kind of salmon are in the park? All five species of Pacific salmon that are native to Alaska are 

found within the park: king (Chinook) salmon, silver (coho) salmon, red (sockeye) salmon are found in 

the bulk of the park. Pink (humpy) salmon, and chum (dog) salmon can be found in the Yakutat area. 

Kokanee salmon are found in Copper Lake.

What are Kokanee salmon? Kokanee salmon are red (sockeye) salmon that complete their entire life 

cycle in fresh water. Pacific salmon normally spawn and hatch in fresh water, go to the ocean for 1-5 

years, and return to fresh water to complete their life cycle.

Where can I catch salmon? There are not very many good opportunities to sport fish for salmon in the 

road accessible areas within the park. The Copper River tends to be too silty to catch salmon with a rod 

and reel. The best places to sport fish for Chinook salmon (kings) and sockeye salmon (reds) are outside 

the park, in the nearby Klutina and Gulkana Rivers. The best place to catch coho salmon (silvers) and pink 

salmon (humpbacks or humpies) is outside of the park in Valdez.

Where can I catch rainbow trout? Van, Sculpin, Strelna, and Pippin Lakes are stocked with rainbow 

trout. Wild stocks of rainbow trout are found in the Hanagita and Tebay Lakes. There are also steelhead 

trout in the Hanagita Lake system.

What are steelhead trout? Steelhead trout are a strain of rainbow trout that goes to the ocean to rear, 

much like salmon. However, they don’t die after they spawn.

What are those worms in some of the fish? Are those worms dangerous? Poisonous? Can we 

get worms in our system from eating the fish? Worms found in local fish are likely a species of 

round or tape worm. When cooked properly, there is a low likelihood of worms found in fish causing 

health issues in people. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code states that fish eaten raw 

should be frozen at -4 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of seven days, or for 15 hours at a temperature 

of -31 degrees F in order to kill all parasites.

Fishing
Airplanes

Fixed-wing airplanes may be used to access the national preserve for the taking of fish and wildlife and to 

access the national park for taking fish under State of Alaska regulations. Permits for the use of airplanes 

are not required. However, taking ungulates, bear, wolves, wolverine, or other furbearers with a firearm 

or other weapon before 3 AM following the day in which airborne travel occurred is prohibited, except 

for flights in regularly scheduled commercial aircraft between regularly maintained public airports. The 

use of helicopters to access the park or preserve for the purpose of taking fish or wildlife is prohibited. 

Because of Alaska’s large size and limited road system, most nonresidents and many resident hunters 

hire some sort of transporter to get them to their hunting areas. Flying in is also a popular way to access 

some of the more remote lakes for fishing. Information about air taxis and transporters who are 

authorized to transport visitors in Wrangell-St. Elias can be found on the following webpage: 

https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/services-wrangell-st-elias.htm. 

14 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

Off-road Vehicles

Recreational off-road vehicles (ORVs) may be used only on designated trails listed on an ORV permit. 

Recreational ORV users (including sport hunters) are required to obtain ORV permits at the Slana Ranger 

Station or the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center. 

Specific regulations apply to ORV use in the Nabesna District, which is a designated area in the northern 

portion of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve that includes all trails open to recreational ORV 

use except for Nugget Creek. The following types of vehicles are prohibited off-road for subsistence and 

recreational uses in the Nabesna District:

• Nodwells or other tracked rigs greater than 5.5 feet in width or 4,000 pounds curb weight;

• Street-legal highway vehicles;

• Custom 4x4 jeeps, SUVs, or trucks designed for off-road use;

• Original or modified “deuce and a half” cargo trucks;

• Dozers, skid-steer loaders, excavators, or other construction equipment;

• Motorcycles or dirt bikes; 

• Log skidders.

Wheeled vehicles (including all-terrain/off-road vehicles, utility vehicles, and Argos) must weigh less than 

1,500 pounds curb weight, not including trailers. Curb weight refers to the weight of the vehicle without 

accessories, passengers, cargo, or fluids.

Allowed Means of Access

Super cub on a park airstrip/NPS

There are three improved airstrips within 

Wrangell-St. Elias, at McCarthy, May Creek 

and Chisana. Public airport facilities are also 

located near the park at Chitina, Gulkana, 

Tok and Yakutat. Pilots may also land on 

beaches, gravel bars, and unimproved landing 

sites within the park and preserve, at their 

own risk. However, new airstrips may not be 

developed, and existing airstrips may not be 

expanded. Also note that airplanes should not 

be parked in such a way that use of a landing 

area by others is impeded.
Snowmachines, Motorboats and Nonmotorized Means of Surface Transportation

Motorboats and nonmotorized means of surface transportation, such as dog teams, may be used to 

access both the park and the preserve for any purpose, including hunting, fishing and trapping. 

Snowmachines may be used for traditional activities, including hunting, trapping, and fishing, and for 

travel to and from villages and homesites when there is adequate snow cover (at least 6 to 12 inches of 

snow). 

For both motorized and nonmotorized watercraft, Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) are required. You must 

have at least one PFD onboard for each individual, children under 13 must always be wearing their PFD 

while underway, and boats 16 feet or over in length must also have a throwable PFD onboard.

The use or possession of domestic goats or sheep, including as pack animals, is prohibited. Use or 

possession of llamas, alpacas, or any other domestic animal of the Camelidae or Bovidae family within 

NPS-administered areas as pack animals is allowed in accordance with written authorization from the 

superintendent. Authorized pack or saddle animals may graze in NPS areas without a permit for less than 

14 days per calendar year provided that the grazing is in conjunction with their use as a pack or saddle 

animal and any feed brought into the park conforms to the Alaska Weed Free Forage Certification.

Frequently Asked Questions – Access

Is the Kotsina Trail open to recreational ORV use? Yes. The first 20 miles of the Kotsina Trail are a 

17(b) easement across Alaska Native Corporation lands. The easement is open to recreational ORV use up 

to the national park/wilderness boundary, with no permit required, but beyond that point the trail is only 

open to ORV access for subsistence purposes. This is because recreational ORV use and sport hunting are 

not allowed on the NPS-owned lands accessed by the Kotsina easement. The trail is subject to washouts 

and may not be passable to the end of the easement. Accessing preserve lands from the end of the 

easement requires crossing the Kotsina River, which is extremely dangerous and frequently infeasible. 

Travel at your own risk.

What is the difference between an air taxi and a transporter? 

Transporters are licensed/certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, regulated by the Big Game 

Commercial Services Board, and must also have a commercial use authorization in order to conduct 

business in Wrangell-St. Elias. A transporter may advertise services specifically for hunters. They may 

provide transportation services and accommodations to big game hunters in the field at a permanent 

lodge, house, or cabin owned by the transporter (generally on an inholding within the national preserve) 

or on a boat with permanent living quarters located on salt water. A transporter may not provide big 

game hunting services without holding the appropriate license.

 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 15

Access

ORV on a designated trail/NPS

Air taxis are generally certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and must have a commercial use authorization 

to conduct business in Wrangell-St. Elias. They can transport 

hunters as an incidental part of their business operations, flying 

hunters to a destination of their choice for a “do it yourself” 

hunt. They cannot advertise services specific to hunters or 

charge higher than their usual rates for transporting hunters, 

their equipment, and harvested game.
Food Storage Rules

Throughout the park, all food (except legally taken game) and beverages, food and beverage containers, 

garbage, harvested fish, and equipment used to cook or store food must be stored in a bear resistant 

food container (BRFC) or secured:

• Within a hard-sided building;

• Within lockable and hard-sided section of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft; or

• By caching a minimum of 100 feet from camp and suspending at least 10 feet above the ground 

 and 4 feet horizontally from a post, tree trunk or other object on a line or branch that will not 

 support a bear’s weight. 

These rules apply to everyone, including hunters, trappers, and fishers. 

Bear resistant food containers may be available for loan free of charge from the Copper Center Visitor 

Center, the Kennecott Visitor Center, and the Slana Ranger Station. For information about approved bear 

resistant food containers, contact the park or visit the park website at: 

https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/bear-resistant-food-containers.htm.

This provision does not apply to:

• Clean dishes and cooking equipment that are free of food odors;

• Food that is being transported, consumed or prepared for consumption;

• The use of bait for trapping and hunting under the provisions of state and federal law; and

• Food carried by persons climbing or traveling above the firn line on snow-covered terrain.

The intent of these regulations is to prevent bears and other wildlife from obtaining and becoming 

conditioned to food and garbage, thus protecting wildlife and park visitors alike.

Bear and cubs/NPS

16 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

Food Storage
 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 17

Bear Safety

Staying Safe in Bear Country

Black and brown/grizzly bears may be present in many areas within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and 

Preserve. While hunting or fishing, you may engage in activities such as moving stealthily, blending in 

with your surroundings, and handling, transporting and storing meat or fish that will increase your risk 

for a bear encounter. Hunters and fishers should be proactive to prevent bear encounters and attacks.

Prepare for Possible Bear Encounters

• Learn about bear behavior before your trip. 

• Be alert and aware of any bear activityin the harvest area, such as fresh tracks or scat. 

• Carry bear spray, a firearm, or both at all times, and know how to use it. 

Handle Game Carefully after Harvest

• Field dress – Promptly field dress a game animal after the kill. If possible, avoid opening the gut 

 cavity until after you have salvaged all other edible meat. 

• Be alert – Bears may be drawn to the kill site. Move the meat away from brushy areas as soon as you 

 can. Try to pack all the meat out in one load. If this is not feasible, place the remaining meat in game 

 bags and hang from a tree, or cache them in an open area at least 100 yards from the kill site.

• Leave the gut pile and excess bones or carcass for bears – Bears usually go for the entrails first. 

 If you make multiple trips to retrieve game, move edible meat and salvaged portions away from the 

 gut pile, to an area with good visibility.

• Mark the area – Use flagging tape to mark the entrails and the meat cache and the likely 

 approaches to it. Flagging also gets the attention of other hunters who happen onto the kill site. 

 Remove flagging on your last trip out.

• Make noise – When you are packing out game meat and have finished hunting for the day, make 

 noise to announce your presence to any bear in the area.

• Avoid leaving a blood trail back to your camp – Pack, do not drag, all the legally required 

 salvaged meat and parts to the area where you will hang and store your meat.

• If you come back to your cache and a bear has claimed your meat – Do not try to drive the 

 bear away. The meat is likely soiled and trying to scare off a feeding bear may provoke an 

 attack. Alaska State regulations prohibit killing a bear to retrieve hunter-killed game.

• Remember your bag limit – If a bear takes your game meat, you are not entitled to take another 

 animal to replace the one you “lost.” Bag limits apply even if a bear takes your game meat. 

Tips When Bringing Game Meat into Camp

• Cache your meat – Keep your meat out of reach of bears or cache it away from your camp with a 

 clear line of sight between the camp and cache.

• Protect your camp – Portable electric fences are an inexpensive method of protecting your meat.

• Treat clothes soaked with blood or guts the same as any other attractant – Do not put them 

 in your tent or wear them to bed. Leave soiled clothes with the meat cache.

• Deter bears in camp – If a bear comes towards your camp, make loud noises, yell at the bear, 

 bang pots and pans together to try driving the bear away. Assertively defend your camp. Stand in a 

 group if possible and maintain your position. Your goal is to have the bear leave your camp.

Additional information about bear safety is available on the following webpages: 

• https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/be-bear-aware.htm

• https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbears.anglersafety

• https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.bearsafety
18 User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

Backcountry Safety

Backcountry Safety

The landscape of Wrangell-St. Elias is constantly changing. Glaciers recede, landslides re-arrange mountainsides, and rivers flood. Outside resources, such as guidebooks, are a great starting place to plan your 

trip, but don’t assume these resources are correct. Guidebooks, blog posts, and maps that are just a few 

years old may no longer reflect what is actually on the ground. Always pay careful attention when 

navigating a route and never unquestioningly follow maps, GPS devices or advice. 

Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Be prepared for varying weather and trail conditions. 

You may find missing foot bridges, uneven trail surfaces, unstable slopes, falling trees, rutted trails, 

damaged water bars and steps, standing water, difficult water crossings, and missing directional signs. 

Most of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is designated wilderness or remote, where selfreliance and adventure are expected. Visitors should be prepared to take responsibility for their own 

actions; search and rescue may be delayed. Be prepared to stay overnight, possibly for multiple extra 

days, even if you are a day user.

Backcountry Accountability and Emergency Contacts

Leave your route and expected time of return with a friend or family member, along with directions for 

what to do if you do not return at the expected time. A backcountry itinerary – which includes important 

information in case of an emergency – may be filed at park visitor centers and ranger stations. However, 

a search will not be initiated until a specific request from a friend or family member is made. If you are 

flying in or out of a remote airstrip, your pilot will be your main communication link to safety. Be sure to 

discuss “what if” scenarios with your pilot before you are dropped off. 

To report a life and safety emergency in the park, call 907-683-2276. 

DO NOT call this emergency number for park information or questions.

Backcountry trip essentials/NPS
Communications

Satellite phones and texting devices are the only way to communicate from much of the backcountry of 

Wrangell-St. Elias. We recommend bringing a satellite communication device, as it can help you make 

and maintain contact with family, friends, and if needed, emergency responders. Don’t let a satellite 

communication device give you a false sense of security though! In an emergency, help will not be 

immediate and will depend on many factors. You are still responsible for your own safety.

River Crossings

Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death within Wrangell-St. Elias. Most backcountry 

routes in Wrangell-St. Elias require numerous creek and river crossings. Make sure you are aware of all 

crossings on your route. Be prepared to turn around if the river appears too high or too swift to cross 

safely. Many rivers are impassable, even for experts. Small, unnamed creeks can become raging 

torrents under certain conditions. You can take training on river crossing techniques, and there are many 

resources online about how to safely cross rivers. Things to remember:

• Cross at the widest and/or most braided area. This is usually where the water is shallowest. A long, 

 shallow crossing is preferable over a short, deep one.

• Unbuckle your backpack. If you slip and fall into the current, you need to jettison your pack so it does 

 not fill with water and drag you down.

• Cross early in the day. Water levels of glacial rivers are lowest right after the coldest temperatures of 

 the day, which is usually during the night.

Always err on the side of caution when it comes to rivers!

For more information: https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/backcountry-safety.htm

River crossings can be dangerous. There are multiple methods to safely cross a river as a 

group. Visitors are encouraged to seek training on how to safely ford rivers./NPS

 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 19

Backcountry Safety
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

https://www.nps.gov/WRST

Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Users Guide

https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/

WRST-ORV-Guide-508-compliant.pdf

NPS Regulations

https://www.nps.gov/wrst/learn/management/

lawsandpolicies.htm

Superintendent’s Compendium

https://www.nps.gov/wrst/learn/management/

compendium.htm

Email: wrst_info@nps.gov

Park Headquarters and Visitor Center

P.O. Box 439 / Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway

Copper Center, AK 99573

Administrative Offices (year-round): 

(907) 822-5234

Visitor Center (mid-May to mid-September):

(907) 822-7250

Slana Ranger Station

P.O. Box 885 / Mile 0.2 Nabesna Road

Slana, AK 99586 

(June through September): 

(907) 822-7401

Kennecott Visitor Center

For general Kennecott and McCarthy area 

information. (907) 205-7106 (Memorial Day to 

Labor Day). For hunting questions, please call Park 

Headquarters.

User’s Guide to Sport Hunting, Trapping and Fishing 20

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/

Glennallen

P.O. Box 47 / Mile 186.3 Glenn Highway

Glennallen, AK 99588-0047

Hunting, Trapping, and Wildlife-related 

Information: (907) 822-3461

Sport Fishing Information: (907) 822-3309

Tok

P.O. Box 355 / Mile 1314 Alaska Highway, 

1⁄4 Mile on Center Street

Tok, AK 99780-0355

(907) 883-2971

Yakutat

P.O. Box 49 / 1 Fish and Game Plaza

Yakutat, AK 99689-0049

(907) 784-3255

More Information and Contacts

Park Headquarters Visitor Center in Copper Center/NPS

This publication was made possible 

with funding from fees collected at 

your National Parks via the Federal Lands 

Recreation Enhancement Act. Thank you for 

your continued support.

Slana Ranger Station, Nabesna Road/NPS