Fishing for fun and food is a core value of Alaskan life – but it does not receive priority over public health and safety directives and goals.  The practices below were developed based on the Alaska Health Mandates and Health Alerts, as well as guidance by the State of Alaska and the U.S. Center for Disease Control, in establishing procedures intended to keep you, and the residents near the areas you visit, safe while fishing.

While some travel between communities is limited under State of Alaska Health Mandates, the public may still travel to fishing locations. Under the Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan, many Mandates have been rescinded. Precautions and Guidance offered by rescinded mandates are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to be maintained in order to prevent future outbreaks. 

Alaskans and Alaskan businesses truly rose to the occasion to curtail the spread of COVID-19, and many of the actions we took will continue to be the basis for success in the future. While no longer mandated, the State of Alaska strongly encourages the following:

• Stay six feet or more away from non-family members.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Wipe down surfaces frequently.
• Wear a face covering when in a public setting in close contact with others.
• Stay home if you are sick and get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms.
• Be mindful and respectful to those Alaskans that are most vulnerable to this virus. Those being our seniors and those with existing health issues.

Additional Precautions:

It’s important to understand that this situation may demand change in some of the traditional ways Alaskans fish. Accordingly, please review the additional precautions listed below:

General Precautions:

• • Wear a face covering and non-porous gloves.
  • Pack it in, pack it out! Dispose of all your trash, carcasses, etc., in a responsible manner.
  • Bring personal sanitation products, including hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes to disinfect any surface you touch, and personal toilet items. Be prepared for no public toilet facilities.
  • Mobile payments like ApplePay, SamsungPay or GooglePay work on most smartphones and may minimize contact with keypads and credit card readers

Before your trip:  

• • Review the Alaska Sport and Personal Use Fishing COVID-19 Response Group Travel Resources page.
  • Research and follow all local mandates in communities through which you plan to travel.

While Fishing:

• • Maintain distancing when parking.
  • Wear a face covering and non-porous gloves.
  • Wind and physical activity may spread respiratory droplets further than 6 feet – adjust your distancing from neighboring anglers accordingly.

While boating:

• • Stay with the boat while at the launch facility.
  • Only one person from your party should be in the parking lot to pay, drop or retrieve a vehicle.
  • Minimize your time at launch and parking sites by preparing items to load or unload from the boat in advance.
  • When on a guided trip, follow all directions from your guide, stay in assigned locations on deck, and limit moving around unnecessarily.
  • Maintain as much distance between yours and other boats as possible.
  • Do not exchange items with or make direct contact with other boats.

Lodging and Camping:

• • Refer to the websites for Alaska State Parks, The US Forest Service, The US Fish and Wildlife Service and others to determine availability of camping and other public facilities.
  • Whenever possible, limit your trip to only include members of your household or those you’ve been sheltering in place with.
  • Bedding and other items brought for camping should be laundered or sterilized after your trip.
  • Maintain distance when parking at camp sites and other lodging locations.

After your trip:

• • Process your catch on the water before returning home or at home. Do not plan on public cleaning tables being available.
  • Sanitize your boat, clothing, waders and fishing gear.
  • Alert state health officials if you or anyone in your party becomes will within 48 hours of your trip.

Cleaning and disinfecting your gear is an important part of every fishing trip. Following CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting is recommended. A discussion of preferred disinfecting agents is provided here. Always use care when transporting, mixing or using cleaning and disinfecting chemicals.

• Clean surfaces using soap and water before using disinfectants. Proper cleaning will remove larger debris and allow disinfectants to reach more of the surface.
• Launder items on the warmest appropriate setting and dry them completely.
• Wear disposable gloves for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Disinfecting Solutions have many pros and cons, which you can see here. It is important to read and follow instructions for the safe use of the following products:

• Chlorine Bleach (at appropriate dilutions)
• Alcohol Products (at concentrations greater than 70%)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (at concentrations greater than 0.5%)

You can view all of the State of Alaska Health Mandates, Health Alerts and Guidance Documents intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep Alaska communities safe by clicking here.