Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 20, 2017

Week of July 20 to July 26

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

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

• Cordova Terminal Harvest Area is closed to snagging from June 1 through September 30.
• On the Eyak River starting June 1, only single-hook, artificial flies with a hook gap of 3/8 inch or less between point and shank are allowed from a point 200 yards upstream of Eyak Lake dam and to a point 200 yards downstream from the bridge at the outlet of Eyak Lake. No additional weight may be attached to the line when fishing in this area.
• Per Emergency Order No. 2-SHR-6-11-17, the number of shrimp pots allowed to harvest shrimp in Prince William sound was reduced from five pots per person with a maximum of five pots per vessel, to four pots per person with a maximum of four pots per vessel.
• Lingcod season opened on Saturday, July 1. Daily limit is two per day, two in possession, and minimum 35 inches long with head attached or 28 inches with head removed. A gaff may not be used to puncture the fish if the intent is to release it.
• Cutthroat and Rainbow/Steelhead trout fishing opened on Thursday, June 15.
• Ibeck Creek is closed to all sport fishing upstream from a point 3 miles above the Copper River Highway.

Freshwaters

Salmon

• Good sized pink salmon are being caught at Fleming Spit.
• Sockeye salmon fishing in the Eyak River is fair. Remember that Eyak Lake is CLOSED to salmon fishing.
• Sockeye salmon are still rolling through Alaganik Slough.
• Coho might start sneaking into the freshwaters around Cordova but really don’t start showing up in decent numbers until mid-late August. Remember: a coho salmon that is removed from the water must be retained and becomes part of the daily bag limit of the person who originally hooked the fish. A person may not remove a coho salmon from the water before releasing it.
• Reminder: Power Creek in Cordova is closed to salmon fishing year-round.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Cutthroat and rainbow/steelhead trout fishing in the Cordova area opened on Thursday, June 15. Pipeline lakes make for a great family outing to catch cutthroat.
• 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.

Saltwaters

Salmon

• Pink salmon are being caught at Fleming Spit from the shore. Silvers should start showing up soon. Most anglers are using hardware to catch fish. Remember: the Cordova Terminal Harvest Area is closed to snagging salmon from June 1 through September 30.
• Sockeye fishing in Main Bay has slowed down. Lots of jacks are being caught. You still might be able to get your bag limit but fish numbers and quality are dwindling.
• Lots of chums are still around the Coghill area.
• Fishing around Main Bay and Coghill areas is easier when there are not commercial openers happening…check here to get updates on when those are happening.
• Pink salmon have been around Allison Point. Numbers should start to increase this week as the commercial fleet moves out and the hatchery continues to work on getting their broodstock numbers.
• A few reports of hatchery king salmon in Passage Canal and near the harbor have been reported. Remember: Whittier harbor is closed to snagging.

Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish

• Retention of lingcod began on Saturday, July 1. Many anglers were having success at catching legal sized lingcod but many also reported lots of juveniles caught and released.
• Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Make sure you know the regulations! Unguided and guided anglers have different rules to follow.
  • Larger fish were caught this week likely due to good weather allowing further travel to ocean entrances.
  • The leading fish this last week caught in the Valdez Halibut Derby ranged around 150 lbs. Weather in the Sound is looking good for getting out to the ocean entrances. Halibut fishing can also be good closer to creek mouths this time of year with the influx of salmon in the Sound.
• Rockfish can be caught year round throughout Prince William Sound. Bag limits starting May 1 through September 15 are four per day, eight in possession of which only two may be non-pelagic.

Fishing Tip: Brush up on your rockfish identification before you head out by reviewing page 90 of the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

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%!) Never heard of deepwater release for rockfish??? For details, see the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.

Shellfish

• Shrimp season opened on April 15. Good catches are still being reported. Deeper seems to better a little better but not too deep. Be sure to make sure you have enough line when setting your pots!
• You are encouraged to get your permit online but you must have a printed and signed copy with you while fishing. Permit needs to be in possession as you are shrimping and harvest needs to be reported before your catch is concealed.
• Don’t forget to record when you drop your pots in the water the first trip out and remember only four pots are allowed per vessel in 2017.
• Don’t forget to you can report online during the season. Your harvest report is due after the season closes on September 15!