Gold Panning Recreational Rules and Regulations.

  You’ve dreamed of your trip to Alaska’s gold bearing areas all winter long. Now the weather has cleared, the sun is out and the Salmon are on the move. You’ve dug out your gold pan and dusted it off. You’ve ran a few practice gold pieces through your pan and plastic tub from the basement. You’ve practiced enough to feel satisfied that the dust is removed from your gold panning form. Besides Salmon fishing, Alaska is known as famously as the Dakota’s and California for it gold.

Treasure and prospector magazines show pictures of gold nuggets the size of large raisins and dates form Nome and other Northern areas. The Peninsula is known for it’s abundance of flatter smaller flakes and nuggets. Those who’ve gone out in search for gold usually come back with at least a fair amount of flakes or even a “klinker” The “klinker --- that glorious sound gold makes when its big enough to pick up without tweezers or a sucker, sniffer bottle and makes a klink sound when it hits the bottom of the pan.

Well as usually the case when something is fun it also has certain rules that keep it fun for everyone. As in many States gold panning or recreational mining has certain restrictions.

The State of Alaska is no different and common sense must be applied. This particular article may seem a little vague in nature and I apologize for that. Many rules and regulations are written in vague legal language which often leaves the interpretation up to the individual trying to enforce the nature of the rule to the best of their discretion. Whenever we can get a more official direct concise interpretation of certain rules we will update it here for your convenience.

Or if someone in an official capacity brings it to our attention that something in this article is wrong we will do our best to correct it as soon as possible. We who live in Alaska and consider ourselves to be part of this wonderful environment are very protective of our natural habitats, wildlife and fish supply. We survive because it exists. To upset this delicate lifecycle may put us in jeopardy also. While recreational gold panning is allowed in most areas, some designated areas may require a permit. Mining claims or areas posted with no trespassing, no logging or posted as private property should be avoided.

Native lands should be considered as private property also. Many restrictions concern the possibility of the act of mining damaging the plant and vegetation lifecycle which may have an adverse affect on wildlife and food cycle chain. Most all areas do not allow any mechanical or chemicals means of mining to be used. While you can gold pan in parts of Alaska’s National Parks and State parks certain rules and regulations may prohibit the use of anything other than a gold pan. “Can use no more equipment than gold pan” If you’ve ever tried to dig with your plastic gold pan you can quickly visualize the difficulty this regulation may impose. Check with the Park Administrator or Park Station for updated information and areas that are allowed. Also ask what restrictions are current.

The best advice for recreational gold panning is to check in with the local experts familiar with what you can and can’t do. As some rules are written in a vague manner that may be left to the interpretation of the official asking the questions of what your doing. Whenever you travel and wanting to find good areas for gold panning with as little problems, questions or hassles, check with the local chapter of GPAA (Gold Prospectors Association of America) for the area you’re interested in visiting. The GPAA is a good organization and has a great selection of areas and property that belong to gold panning clubs throughout the Untied States. You can gold pan with little to no restriction if you are an up to date member. Family membership plans are relatively low in cost for family plan and come with added benefits of making it easy to keep up to date with any changes in rules or regulation.

At Prospector John’s we show you how to use a sluice box and classifiers to speed up the process and find the gold quickly which always makes your gold panning trip worth while and fun. Gold panning in Alaskan areas where you can usually use a smaller hand fed sluice box. Prospector John’s can supply you with Maps of the area and also information of local public areas you can use a gold pan or gold pan and small hand fed sluice box.