Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 01, 2014

Prince William Sound and the
Copper River Delta Area

Week of May 2 to May 5
Issued May 2, 2014

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

• Permits are mandatory for all noncommercial shrimp fisherman. Permits are available at local Fish and Game offices and at select vendors.
• Lingcod season is closed until July 1 to protect nest-guarding males.
• Cutthroat and Rainbow/Steelhead trout fishing is closed until June 15th.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Fishing for salmon in freshwater is limited to non-existent this time of year.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Cutthroat and rainbow/steelhead trout fishing is closed until June 15 to protect spawning adults.
• Dolly Varden are present in many of the streams throughout Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta. Use fry/smolt imitation flies or small spinners at lake outlets or stream confluences.

Salt waters

Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish

• Halibut can be caught in shallower water this time of year especially near herring spawning sites.
• Rockfish angling is quite productive with herring jigs and bait near herring spawning sites. Remember to move once you catch your limit.
• AND REMEMBER if you are targeting multiple species, target rockfish last, and use a deepwater release mechanism on all released rockfish (these devices can turn the chance of survival for a rockfish from near zero to near 100%!)

What’s deepwater release?

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.rockfishconservation

Salmon

• Trolling for winter kings should be productive near Cordova. Trolling near shallow rocky reefs and headlands is a good bet this time of year.

Shellfish

• Shrimping got off to a good start this year with a good amount of effort due to this great weather. As usual, your best bet for lots of shrimp is in the more remote parts of the sound, but this early in the year may still be good in spots closer to port. If you are looking for new spots, try something more shallow than you would usually set.This early in the season, most shrimp haven’t moved too deep just yet.
• Don’t forget your shrimp permit – everyone needs one.