Due to regulatory and statutory changes, which took effect July 1, 2008, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is now solely responsible for maintaining anadromous waters data as well as revision to and publication of the Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing or Migration of Anadromous Fishes and its associated Atlas (the Catalog and Atlas, respectively). The ADF&G is now also responsible for regulatory adoption of the Atlas and Catalog.
The Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing or Migration of Anadromous Fishes and its associated Atlas (the Catalog and Atlas, respectively) currently contain over 18,000 streams, rivers or lakes around the state which have been specified as being important for the spawning, rearing or migration of anadromous fish. Based upon thorough surveys of a few drainages it is believed that this number represents less than 50% of the streams, rivers and lakes actually used by anadromous species. It is estimated that at least an additional 20,000 or more anadromous water bodies have not been identified or specified under AS 16.05.871(a).
