Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 31, 2019

Week of May 30 - June 5

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

  • Sockeye salmon are in the Eyak River with some fish already up near the lake.
    • 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

  • In freshwaters of Prince William Sound, only unbaited artificial lures are allowed April 15 - June 14.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

  • Lingcod season will open on July 1.
  • Rockfish and halibut are the favorites to catch in Prince William Sound right now! You don’t have to fish deep to get into some rockfish. Rocky areas are a favorite.
  • The Valdez Halibut Derby began on May 18 and runs through September 1. Since the derby started last week the top fish have come in right around 100lbs.
  • Rockfish limits year-round are 4 fish per day, 8 in possession of which only 1 can be a nonpelagic rockfish. Stop by the ADF&G office in Anchorage for a handy rockfish ID sheet!
  • Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism will be required to be onboard all vessels sportfishing in the Prince William Sound Management Area and they must be used to release rockfish at depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower.
    • Never heard of deepwater release?? Check out our webpage for more info!

Salmon

  • A few sockeye and king salmon are being picked up outside Main Bay. It’s early but worth the effort if you are out that way.
  • Chum salmon have been observed jumping near Culross Passage. 
  • You don’t have to travel all the way out to get king salmon. Try trolling on your way out of Passage Canal and you might have a shot at returning king salmon.

Shrimp

  • Don’t forget to get your shrimp permit! The sport and subsistence shrimp season opened on April 15 and closes on September 15. You are required to have your permit with you and you must record your catch immediately after you harvest shrimp. You can get your permit and report your harvest online. Harvest must be reported for each individual time you pull your pots and a full report must be received by October 15.
  • If you are just starting out shrimping, stick to a depth range around 300 - 400’.
  • Check your pots after a few hours to see if you are catching shrimp. Move around different depth ranges near structure and see what you can find. Shrimp are caught in a range of depths.

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 News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

  • Emergency Order 2-SHR-6-15-19 reduced shrimp pots to no more than three pots per person, with no more than three pots per vessel. This means that regardless of the number of permit holders on a boat, you may only ever set and pull 3 pots, off that vessel.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Anchorage Sport Fish Info Desk at (907) 267-2218.

Archives

Prince William Sound Area Archives for:
Sep 17, 2019 Sep 13, 2019 Sep 06, 2019 Aug 29, 2019 Aug 22, 2019 Aug 14, 2019 Aug 07, 2019 Jul 31, 2019
Jul 25, 2019 Jul 19, 2019 Jul 11, 2019 Jul 03, 2019 Jun 27, 2019 Jun 20, 2019 Jun 13, 2019 Jun 06, 2019
May 31, 2019 May 24, 2019 May 16, 2019 May 09, 2019