While every effort is made to keep this page current, there may be delays in the posting of web page updates. After the closure, rockfish may be retained only as bycatch. The current rockfish harvest is 94,257 pounds and the lingcod harvest is 16,587 pounds. Rockfish is expected to remain open to a bycatch-only fishery for the balance of the year. The lingcod fishery will close by emergency order when the 35,000 pound harvest guideline is projected to be attained.
Regulations restrict legal gear for lingcod and rockfish.
Furthermore, only these legal gear types may be on board a vessel targeting lingcod. During the open season, lingcod and rockfish may be retained as bycatch to other directed fisheries. After the lingcod season is closed, lingcod may not be retained. The Cook Inlet Area is described as waters north of the latitude of Cape Douglas and west of the longitude of Cape Fairfield. State of Alaska authority for both lingcod and black rockfish management extends to federal waters of the EEZ, therefore, the above regulations also apply to vessels fishing in federal waters of the Cook Inlet Area.