Alaska Gold Panning - Mining Guidelines
Here are a few simple guidelines that all recreational gold panners should know and follow. Follow all national forest rules such as camping limits, discharge of firearms, use of trails, etc. These regulations are found in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with general prohibitions in part 261. Copies are available at Chugach National Forest offices in Anchorage, Girdwood, and Seward. Regulations may or may not be posted.
Gold pans and manual-feed sluice boxes are allowed year-round in streams listed in this article. Four-inch or smaller suction dredges are allowed in salmon streams from May 15 to July 15 only with a permit from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
No hydraulic mining or use of earth moving equipment is allowed without an approved mining plan of operation. Work only the active stream channel or unvegetated gravel bars. Do not dig in stream banks! Recreational gold panning does not allow you to build structures, cut trees or dig up archaeological historical or paleontological objects. Nor does it give you the right to obstruct others in recreational pursuits.