Saltwater/Freshwater Guide Requirements
AS 16.40.299. Definitions.
- "sport fishing guide" means a person who is licensed to provide sport fishing guide services to persons who are engaged in sport fishing
Guide Requirements:
- A guide must have a current Alaska Sport Fish License (and a king salmon stamp if applicable).
- A current U.S.C.G. Operator's license if operating a motorized vessel on navigable waters. Determination of navigable waters is made by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Current first aid card.
- Be a resident of the United States, Canada, Mexico or a resident alien. *Other special requirements exist for Guiding on the Kenai
There are three options available to become a licensed guide:
- On-line at the ADF&G License and Permits website. Payment is made with a credit card. The license will be mailed to you within 14 days.
- From the 'forms' page on this website, an application can be printed from your computer, filled out, and mailed to the Dept. of Fish & Game with a check or money order. The license will be mailed to you within 14 days.
- Any Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game area or regional office. Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau offices will accept cash, checks, credit cards and money orders. All other area offices will accept checks or money orders only. The license is effective immediately.
Assistants, deckhands, and similar persons who work directly under the supervision of and on the same vessel as a fishing guide are exempt from the guide licensing requirements.
What a Guide must have in possession while guiding:
- A current sport fishing guide license;
- A copy of the current ADF&G sport fishing business license of the guide's employer;
- A current Alaska sport fishing license, tags, stamps or permits that are required to engage in the sport fishery for which guide services are being provided;
- An identification card issued to the sport fishing guide by a state or federal agency that bears a photo of the sport fishing guide.
- Other agencies may have additional requirements (i.e. U.S.C.G.). It is your responsibility to determine what those requirements are.
