Fishing by Proxy
Sport, Personal Use, and Subsistence Fishing by proxy frequently asked questions.

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Q. What is proxy fishing?

A. Alaska's proxy laws allow Alaska residents to harvest fish and shellfish for other Alaska residents who meet at least one of the following four criteria:

  • 1) 65 years of age or older;
  • 2) legally blind (affidavit required);
  • 3) 70% or greater physically disabled (affidavit required).
  • 4) Developmentally disabled (affidavit required)

These are the only four conditions for which proxy fishing is allowed. If none of these conditions apply, then proxy fishing is not allowed.

The intent of the proxy fishing program is to provide food for Alaska residents who are unable to harvest fish for themselves due to one of the above four conditions.

The person doing the fishing is called the "proxy." The person receiving the fish is called the "beneficiary."

Proxy fishing is allowed in Alaska's sport, personal use, and subsistence fisheries under very similar rules.

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Q. Can I proxy fish for halibut?

A. NO, Alaska state regulations prohibit the taking of halibut by proxy in sport fishing, personal use fishing and subsistence fishing per 5 AAC 01.011(b), 5 AAC 75.011(b), and 5 AAC 77.016(b).

NOTICE TO HALIBUT ANGLERS: Since halibut are federally managed, and since federal law prohibits the taking ofmore than two halibut per person per day, proxy fishing for halibut is not allowed. You may NOT take two bag limits of halibut on the same day, as allowed for other species under state proxy regulations. For additional information, call the National Marine Fisheries Service at (907) 586-7225. Information on federal halibut sport regulations are also available on the Sport Halibut Management pages of the NMFS website.

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Q. What paperwork is needed? How do I go about getting a proxy?

A. The Proxy Fishing Form is required. It's available from ADF&G offices or download the PDF file below:

It asks for name, address, phone number, fishing license number, and original signature of both the beneficiary and the proxy. This information is required.

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Q. I've got the Proxy Fishing Form completely filled out with both the beneficiary's information and the proxy information. What next?

A. Once both parties have filled out and the beneficiary has signed the Proxy Fishing Form (beginning in 2018, the proxy does not need to sign the form at the time of validation, just prior to proxy fishing), someone brings it, along with proof of resident fishing licenses for both parties, to ADF&G for validation.

Both parties do not have to be present in the ADF&G office for validation. Either the proxy or the beneficiary, or their representative, can bring the Proxy Fishing Form for validation.

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Q. For validation, do I need to bring the original fishing licenses?

A. No, photocopies are fine. We do need to see either the original license or a photocopy, in order to verify that both parties have resident fishing licenses before we can validate the Proxy Fishing Form.

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Q. Can we complete the process over the Internet?

A. Not entirely. The Proxy Fishing Form can be downloaded, printed, then filled out, but it has to be brought in, faxed, or scanned in then e-mailed to an ADF&G office for validation.

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Q. We can do this over the fax?

A. Yes. The Proxy Fishing Form can be filled out by both parties and faxed, along with photocopies of the fishing licenses, to any ADF&G office. Be sure to include a return fax number. The Proxy Fishing Form must be accompanied by legible photocopies of both parties' fishing licenses for ADF&G to validate it.

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Q. What's the definition of "resident"?

A. According to AS 16.05.415, a resident is a person who,

  1. is physically present in the state with the intent to remain in the state indefinitely and to make a home in the state;
  2. has maintained the person's domicile in the state for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application for a license;
  3. is not claiming residency in another state, territory, or country; and
  4. is not obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another state, territory, or country.

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Q. I've been stationed here in Alaska for the last 12 months, but still have an out-of-state driver's license. Am I a resident for proxy fishing?

A. If you are active duty military and have been stationed in Alaska for over 12 months, you qualify as a "resident" for the purposes of AS 16.05.405 and can proxy fish.

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Q. My 65-year-old parents go to Arizona for 5 months every year, but maintain their home, voter's registration, and driver's licenses in Alaska. Are they residents for proxy fishing?

A. Yes.

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Q. What about physically disabled people?

A. According to A.S. 16.05.940(26), a person with physical disabilities means a person who presents to the department either written proof that the person receives at least 70 percent disability compensation from a government agency for a physical disability, or an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state (including Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians) stating that the person is at least 70 percent physically disabled.

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Q. What about developmentally disabled people?

A. According to AS 16.05.940(38) (A-G) "person with developmental disabilities" means a person who presents to the department an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state stating that the person is experiencing a severe, chronic disability (A) attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments; (B) that is manifested before the person reaches 18 years of age; (C) that is likely to continue indefinitely; (D) that results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; that reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated; (F) and that the person is not a danger to themselves or others; (G) and that the person does not suffer from a mental illness; in this subparagraph, "mental illness" means an organic, mental, or emotional impairment that has substantial adverse effects on a person's ability to exercise conscious control of the person's actions or ability to perceive reality or to reason or understand.

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Q. What's needed if my beneficiary is blind?

A. Alaska Statute 16.05.403 defines a person who is blind as someone who can present either a self-affidavit stating she or he cannot distinguish light from darkness, or an affidavit signed by a licensed physician or a licensed optometrist stating that the beneficiary's central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with correcting lenses, or that the beneficiary's widest diameter of visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

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Q. My doctor is a military doctor, and does not have to be licensed by the State of Alaska. Will their affidavit count?

A. Yes, an affidavit from a physician licensed with the Department of Veterans Affairs will be accepted as proof of physical disability.

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Q. Can I dig someone's clams, or take other shellfish for my beneficiary?

A. Yes, once the Proxy Fishing Form is validated by ADF&G.

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Q. Can I dipnet for my beneficiary?

A. Yes, once the Proxy Fishing Form is validated by ADF&G.

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Q. What am I required by regulation to carry in the field while proxy fishing?

  • A proxy must possess a valid resident Alaska sport fishing license to subsistence, personal use or sport fish by proxy.
  • Sport and personal use fishing by proxy—beneficiary's fishing license or PID (ADF&G Permanent ID) + validated Proxy Fishing Form.
  • Subsistence fishing by proxy—beneficiary's fishing license or PID (ADF&G Permanent ID + validated Proxy Fishing Form + fishing permit, OR beneficiary's subsistence fishing permit if it contains all the info on the Proxy Fishing Form.
  • Subsistence shellfish by proxy—beneficiary's fishing license or PID (ADF&G Permanent ID) + validated Proxy Fishing Form, OR beneficiary's subsistence fishing permit, if it contains all the info on the Proxy Fishing Form.
  • In addition to the licenses and validated Proxy Fishing Form, proxies must carry harvest cards, permits, and any other documents required to participate in the fishery.
  • If proxies plan to take fish or shellfish for their own use, they must also have their own fishing license and any required permits.>

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Q. Are photocopies of the licenses ok to carry in the field?

A. No. The original fishing license, permit, and/or harvest record card must be with you in the field. Photocopies of the license, permit and/or harvest card are not valid for any type of fishing.

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Q. What are the proxy harvest recording requirements?

A. Starting in 2007, a person who is fishing proxy for a beneficiary must immediately record, in ink, on the Proxy Fishing Form, the date, location (body of water fished), species, approximate weight (in pounds), and number of any fish or shellfish taken by the proxy on behalf of the proxy recipient.

This recording requirement is IN ADDITION TO the information required to be recorded on the back of the fishing license or harvest record card, and IN ADDITION TO recording requirements on personal use and subsistence fishing permits. The Proxy Fishing Form does not have to be returned to the Department; however, you must show the Proxy Fishing Form upon request to any representative of ADF&G or any peace officer of the state. If extra space is needed, attach another sheet.

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Q. When must I deliver the fish or shellfish?

A. A proxy who takes fish or shellfish for a beneficiary shall, as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after taking the fish or shellfish, personally deliver to the beneficiary all edible parts of the fish or shellfish removed from the field on the behalf of the beneficiary.

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Q. Can I pick up my beneficiary's personal use/ subsistence fishing and shellfish permits?

A. No, proxy holders may not sign personal use or subsistence permits for beneficiaries. Personal use or subsistence permits must be signed by the permit holder. A proxy is not the permit holder and the Proxy Fishing Form does not allow the proxy to sign a permit for the beneficiary. A beneficiary must obtain and sign their own personal use or subsistence permit, which then would be added to the Proxy Fishing Form.

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Q. Can I proxy fish for more than 1 person?

A. Not at the same time. It is possible to proxy fish for more than one person in a given year, but the proxy may take only 1 extra bag limit per day and may not have in their possession more than twice the possession limit. Edible portions of fish are out of the angler's possession once they have been processed (i.e., frozen solid, smoked, canned, cured, consumed, etc.)—this does not include unfrozen fish temporarily stored in coolers that contain ice, dry ice, or fish that are lightly salted.

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Q. Can I have more than one Proxy Fishing Form on me in the field?

A. No. While anglers can proxy fish for more than one person, an angler fishing by proxy may not proxy fish for more than one beneficiary at a time and may have only one Proxy Fishing Form with them in the field at a time.

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Q. Can a proxy use two sets of gear, since s/he's fishing for another person?

A. No, you cannot use more than one set of gear. For example, if you're rod and reel fishing, you can use only 1 rod.

Legal gear for ice fishing is two lines per person, so even if you're proxy fishing, you cannot use more than two lines through the ice.

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Q. How long is the Proxy Fishing Form good for?

A. The Proxy Fishing Form is good from the date of validation through Dec. 31 of the current year, unless a date prior to Dec. 31 is entered on the form.

The Proxy Fishing Form must be filled out and validated every calendar year.

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Q. If there's a regulation that says I have to quit fishing for the day once I've harvested a fish, I can keep fishing for my proxy, right?

A. Yes. You would stop fishing for the day once you've harvested both your own and your beneficiary's fish.

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Q. What about payment? Can I pay my proxy to get my fish for me? Can I reimburse my proxy for gas money, food expenses, or any other expense while he or she fishes for me?

A. No. You cannot give or receive money, goods, or services to have someone fish for you, or to fish for someone. This restriction applies to any type of reimbursement, including gas, food or lodging.

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Q. I want to go hunting while my proxy fishes for me, can I do that?

A. Yes, but only under the following special condition:
The holder of an ADF&G PID (senior license) or ADF&G DAV (Disabled Veteran's license) can purchase a separate hunting license and use that to go hunting while the Proxy has the original PID or DAV (and validated Proxy Fishing Form) and goes fishing.

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Q. I want my brother to go subsistence fishing, where NO fishing license is required, while my sister sport and personal use fishes for me, where a license IS required, all on the same day. Can they do that?

A. No, state statute says whoever's fishing for you must have your original fishing license or PID or DAV with them, whether they're sport, personal use, or subsistence fishing. If your brother has your original license, then your sister can't proxy fish for you at the same time.

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Q. I want my proxy to fish salt water for me, but I can do my own lake/stream fishing. Once I give him my proxy, can I fish at all?

A. Yes, but not at the same time as your proxy. Before you fish, just get your original fishing license back from the person who's proxying for you.

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Q. Where can I find the regulations to back up the above Q&A?

A. Alaska Statutes:

  • 16.05.403(a) definition of blind resident
  • 16.05.940(25) definition of physically disabled
  • 16.05.940(38) (A-G) definition of developmentally disabled
  • 16.09.940(26) definition of resident
  • 16.05.405 Taking of fish and game by proxy

Alaska Administrative Code:

  • 5 AAC 01.011 Subsistence fishing by proxy (finfish)
  • 5 AAC 02.011 Subsistence fishing by proxy (shellfish)
  • 5 AAC 75.011 Sport fishing by proxy
  • 5 AAC 77.016 Personal use fishing by proxy