Alaska Rockfish | Things To Know

Below are the two main species of rockfish that are targeted on daily charters from Homer, Alaska.

Non-Pelagic: The Yelloweye Rockfish ... Aka "Alaska's Goldfish"

The yelloweye rockfish is a species of fish found in the waters off Alaska. It can be identified by its bright yellow eyes, white underside and reddish-brown upper body. This colorful fish grows up to two feet long and can weigh up to 17 pounds! Yelloweye rockfish are highly sought after due to their delicate flavor and firm texture when cooked properly. Due to being a speciality specie of the rockfish family (non-pelagic), anglers fishing on the Kenai Peninsula are regulated to one yelloweye per day.

Pelagic: Black Rockfish... Aka "Blackies"

Like yelloweye rockfish, black rockfish is found in the waters off Alaska. It is easily distinguishable by its dark brown, almost black color and can grow up to two feet long and weigh up to 17 pounds. Blackies are highly sought after due to being considered pelagic and anglers being able to keep a larger bag limit per day.

So what are the key differences? | Alaska Rockfish

As mentioned above, the main difference between pelagic fish and non-pelagic fish lies in their habitat. Pelagic fish inhabit the upper layers of the ocean, usually near the surface where there is plenty of sunlight. This allows them to access more sources of food, such as zooplankton and small crustaceans, as well as have greater opportunity for migration. Non-pelagic fish, meanwhile, inhabit deeper waters along continental shelves and seafloors. These fishes do not have access to the same amount of sunlight or diversity in their diet and are typically limited in their movement due to the depths they live in.

Are there differences in sizes?

Lastly, pelagic fish tend to be smaller than non-pelagic specimens due to their need for better maneuverability when swimming in open water. As a result, they also have thinner body shapes making them more aerodynamic and enabling faster swimming speeds. Non-pelagic species tend to be bulkier with thicker bodies that allow them to move more slowly through the deep ocean waters while still having enough power to hunt prey and avoid predators.

Let's talk behavior...

In terms of behavior, pelagic fish are typically more schooling than non-pelagic species as they rely on each other for protection from predators in such an exposed environment. Non-pelagic fishes can also form shoals, but are less likely to do so due to their depths providing greater safety from larger predators. Also, pelagic species will often follow seasonal migrations up or down depending on temperature or other environmental factors whereas non-pelagic fish will remain relatively static over time within their depths throughout the year.