Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 10, 2021

*Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by reviewing and following 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 as indicated in Health Alert 012.

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

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

  • Sockeye salmon are in the Eyak River with fish hanging around the weir above the highway bridge.
    • Remember: Effective June 1-September 30, Eyak River Special Regulations are in effect. From a point 200 yards upstream from the Eyak Lake dam/weir to a point 200 yards downstream from the bridge at the outlet of Eyak Lake only single-hook, artificial flies with a hook gap of 3/8 inch or less between point and shank are allowed. In addition, no additional weight may be attached to your line.
  • A couple of kings have been picked up at Fleming Spit (in Cordova). Fishing should start to pick up over the coming week. Try fishing the incoming tide with spinners or bait.

Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic char

  • Effective June 15-April 14, anglers fishing in the PWS area may retain cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, or steelhead. Check the regulations for the waters you are fishing for bag and possession limits.
  • Dolly Varden/ Arctic char is open year-round with a bag and possession limit of 10 fish (no size restrictions).

Saltwater Fishing

Port sampling efforts began in Whittier and Valdez this week. Please assist our port sampling program by returning to the harbor with whole groundfish or carcasses and allowing ADF&G technicians to sample your harvest when requested. Data collected from the sport 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 Southcentral.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

  • Halibut and rockfish continue to be some of the favorites to catch in Prince William Sound right now. Many anglers are reporting the success of catching some decent size halibut with bigger fish getting caught out towards Montague. Spending time anchored up and using a chum bag can increase your likelihood of success.
  • The Valdez Halibut Derby is underway and goes through September 5. Fish that are clearing the 100lb. mark are the leaders over the last few days.
  • Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which the only one in possession can be a nonpelagic rockfish. Check your 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
  • The use of a deepwater release mechanism is required on all sportfishing vessels in Alaska and they must be used to release rockfish back down to a depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Ever heard of the deepwater release? Check out our webpage for more info!
  • Lots of bait out in PWS last week. Keep an eye out for bait balls if you want to catch some herring. Keep a sabiki rig handy to swap out so you can quickly drop in on bait when you see them. Also, keep an eye out for bird activity to find balls of herring.
  • Lingcod season will open on July 1.

Salmon

  • No kings have been reported near Whittier yet but could start arriving anytime. If trolling out of Passage Canal, try targeting fish at 50-100 feet.
  • A few kings are also being caught by anglers trolling in the Cordova Terminal Harvest Area. Shore fishing should pick up over the next week.
    • Remember the Cordova Terminal Harvest Area is closed to snagging from June 1-September 30.
  • Chum and sockeye salmon are showing up around Ester Island and Port Wells with fish bound for the hatchery and Coghill River. You can monitor counts to the Coghill River weir here once it is up and running.
  • Sockeye salmon should also start returning to Coghill River and Main Bay in the coming weeks.

Shrimp

  • Don’t forget to get your PWS shrimp permit! The sport and subsistence shrimp season closes on September 15. You are required to have your permit with you and document anytime you have pots in the water.
  • Don’t forget you must record your catch on your permit prior to leaving the site or concealing your catch.
  • To save time at the end of the season report your shrimp harvest online throughout the season. Once the season closes you must report all of your harvests no later than October 15, 2021. Harvest must be reported for each individual time you pull your pots.
  • Looking for a good starting depth? Try dropping your pots in the 300-400 feet range.
  • Shrimpers are allowed to carry additional pots on their vessel, but those pots cannot be fished while shrimping even if they are targeting a different species (i.e. octopus).
  • 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.

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-6-15-21 decreases the number of shrimp pots allowed to harvest shrimp in the Prince William Sound shrimp fishery from five pots per person with a maximum of five pots per vessel to two pots per person with a maximum of two pots per vessel.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 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 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing for before you head out.

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

Archives

Prince William Sound Area Archives for:
Sep 20, 2021 Sep 09, 2021 Sep 02, 2021 Aug 25, 2021 Aug 18, 2021 Aug 11, 2021 Aug 05, 2021 Jul 28, 2021
Jul 21, 2021 Jul 14, 2021 Jul 07, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Jun 24, 2021 Jun 17, 2021 Jun 10, 2021 Jun 03, 2021
May 26, 2021 May 21, 2021 May 12, 2021 May 05, 2021 Apr 14, 2021