The Kenai Peninsula's world-class fishing exists in no small part to the management of the wild and enhanced fish stocks by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. These regulations are in place to make sure these opportunities continue.

Regulation books are available from tackle shops, grocery stores and at the Fish and Game office in Homer at 3298 Douglas Place off Ocean Drive.

Anyone age16 to 59 must have a valid sportfishing license in their possession to fish in Alaska. A one-year license costs $24 for residents and $145 for nonresidents.

Special one-day ($20), three-day ($35), seven-day ($55) and 14-day ($80) fishing licenses are available for visitors.

Anyone age 60 or older who has lived in the state a year or more can fish without a license, but needs a Fish and Game identification card, available from license vendors.

After getting a license, make sure to pick up a copy of the regulation booklet for the area you will fish.

King salmon fishermen must buy a separate stamp and affix it to the back of their sportfishing license. Cost is $10 for Alaska residents. Nonresidents pay $10 for a one-day stamp, $20 for three days, $30 for seven days, $50 for 14 days, or $100 for an annual stamp.

Anglers must fill in the harvest record on the back of the fishing license as soon as the king is landed. Remember to pack a pen and fill out the back of the license quickly or risk receiving a citation. Anglers under 16 and resident anglers over 60 must record king salmon on a free harvest record.

To be certain of sportfishing regulations, limits and fees in 2008, contact the Department of Fish and Game at 235-8191 or visit the Web at www.adfg.state.ak.us.

• "Feeder Kings"

Saltwater fishermen who catch king salmon of any size Oct. 1 through March 31 do not have to record their catch, but are limited to two per day, two in possession, south of Bluff Point. All saltwater areas north of Bluff Point are limited to one king salmon per day and one in possession. Remember that all harvested king salmon over 20 inches must be recorded on the back of the license from April 1 through Sept. 30 and a yearly total of five kings can be retained per year.

• other salmon

Recent regulation changes throughout Cook Inlet also reduce the limit of coho, or silver salmon, to two per day in freshwater and three in saltwater except at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, where it is six. Snagging is not allowed in Cook Inlet saltwater north of Anchor Point, or in Kachemak Bay from Jan. 1-June 23. However, snagging at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit is permitted by emergency order in late June, if the salmon present cannot be harvested with conventional tackle.

• Other fish

Dolly Varden limits are five per day in saltwater and two per day in freshwater.

• Halibut

For halibut, the limit is two per day with four in possession.