After more than 40 years with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang has seen firsthand how Alaska's fish and wildlife management has evolved. From his early days as a fisheries biologist to leading one of the state's most visible agencies, his career has been shaped by science, conservation, public expectations, and some difficult decisions.

In this episode of The Fish Count, we sit down with Commissioner Vincent-Lang for a wide-ranging conversation about his career, the challenges facing Alaska's fish and wildlife, and what the future may hold.

We discuss declining king salmon populations, the changing ocean environment, predator control, the role of science in management decisions, and the growing competition for Alaska's fish and wildlife resources. We also explore the public's trust in the department, the challenges of balancing conservation with harvest opportunities, and why managing Alaska's resources is rarely as simple as it might seem.

Along the way, Doug shares stories from his early career, reflects on some of his proudest accomplishments, and offers advice for the next generation of fish and wildlife managers.

Join us for a thoughtful and candid conversation about Alaska's natural resources, the people who depend on them, and the responsibility of managing them for future generations.

The Fish Count Podcast is a production of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This episode was produced by Ryan Ragan and Amanda Luper. Audio and Graphics by Amanda Luper. Copyright 2026.

Born in a remote log cabin along Alaska's Hayes River, Israel Payton grew up fishing, hunting, and living off the land. Today, he serves as director of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Division of Sport Fish.

In this episode of The Fish Count, Israel shares stories from his childhood near Skwentna, including being weighed on a fishing scale at birth, growing up without modern conveniences, and watching his father fight a lengthy legal battle that helped establish a subsistence fishery on the Yentna River.

We also explore his journey from fishing guide to the Alaska Board of Fisheries and eventually director of the Division of Sport Fish. Israel discusses the challenges facing Alaska's king salmon, efforts to rebuild struggling populations, the importance of introducing young people to fishing, and why his first king salmon remains one of his most powerful memories.

And, of course, we talk fishing, including his annual tradition of "Trout Week" on the Kenai River.

It's a conversation about family, fisheries, conservation, and a lifelong connection to Alaska's natural resources.

The Fish Count Podcast is a production of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This episode was produced by Ryan Ragan and Amanda Luper. Audio and Graphics by Amanda Luper. Copyright 2026.

How much do we really know about the fish living in Alaska's rivers, lakes, and streams? As it turns out, there's still a lot to discover.

In this episode of The Fish Count, we're joined by ADF&G habitat biologists Joe Giefer and Nate Cathcart to explore the work behind the Anadromous Waters Catalog and Alaska Freshwater Fish Inventory. These programs help document where fish live, identify important habitats, and provide information used to protect Alaska's fisheries.

We also get a firsthand look at what it takes to conduct fisheries research in some of Alaska's most remote locations. From a helicopter crash in the Brooks Range to unusual fish discoveries, changing salmon distributions and the challenges of working far from the road system, Joe and Nate share stories from the field and explain why their work matters.

It's a conversation about science, exploration, and how much there is still to learn about Alaska's remarkable freshwater ecosystems.

The Fish Count Podcast is a production of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This episode was produced by Ryan Ragan and Amanda Luper. Audio and Graphics by Amanda Luper. Copyright 2026.