Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

May 27, 2020

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

General Area Description: includes all waters between Cape Fairfield and Cape Suckling.

Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism is required on all sport fishing vessels in Alaska and they must be used to release rockfish back down to depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Never heard of deepwater release? Check out our rockfish conservation webpage for more info!

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-SHR-6-13-20 decreases the number of shrimp pots allowed to harvest shrimp in the Prince William Sound shrimp fishery to three pots per person with a maximum of three pots per vessel used to take shrimp.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Sockeye salmon are moving into the Eyak River in Cordova.
  • Remember: Effective June 1 - September 30, Eyak River Special Regulations are in effect around the Eyak Lake dam/weir and highway bridge. Only single-hook, artificial flies with a gap of 3/8 inch or less between a point and shank are allowed AND no additional weight may be attached to the line.
• No solid reports of king salmon in Fleming Spit (in Cordova) but they should start showing up any day now. Fish the incoming tide with spinners or bait.
  • Remember: Effective June 1-September 30, no snagging is allowed in the Cordova Terminal Harvest area.

Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Fishing closures are in place for cutthroat trout and rainbow trout/steelhead from April 15-June 14 to protect spawning fish.

Saltwater Fishing

Port Sampling efforts in Whittier and Valdez are under way.

Please assist our port sampling program by returning to the harbor with whole groundfish or groundfish carcasses and allowing ADF&G technicians to sample your harvest. Data collected from the sport fish harvest is needed to manage and maintain healthy fisheries. We appreciate you supporting the port sampling program and your assistance in getting managers information that aids in managing fisheries in the Southcentral.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Lingcod season is closed and will open on July 1.
• Rockfish and halibut are the favorites to catch in Prince William Sound right now. Halibut fishing has been good when weather permits anglers getting out further, but you do not have to travel too far. Try around Perry and Naked islands for some decent sized halibut.
• The Valdez Halibut Derby started on May 23. A 128.8lb halibut is the leader so far.
• Head out towards Montague Island and the west side of Hinchinbrook Island for some top water black rockfish action.
• Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which only one can be a nonpelagic rockfish. Check your 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.

Salmon

• Chum salmon should be showing up around Ester Island but might not be there yet. The south end of Culross Island is a good place to investigate.
• Try trolling in Passage Canal in anticipation of king salmon returning.
• A few kings have been picked up out towards Montague.

Shrimp

• Don’t forget to get your shrimp permit! The sport and subsistence shrimp season opened on
  April 15 and will close on September 15, 2020. You are required to have your permit with you and document anytime you have pots in the water.
• After retrieval, you must record your catch on your permit immediately after you harvest shrimp.
• You can report your shrimp harvest online any time. Once the season closes you must report all of your harvest no later than October 15, 2020. **Harvest must be reported for each individual time you pull your pots.
• Shrimping has been good! There is no magic depth for shrimping. A good starting point would be in the 300-400’ range.
• If your pots get lost or stolen please contact Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT).
  • Valdez AWT 835-4307
  • Cordova AWT 424-3184
  • Whittier AWT 352-5401

Local Lakes

• Blueberry and Thompson lakes and Ruth Pond will be stocked towards the end of June.

Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.