Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 27, 2019

Week of June 27 - July 3

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

  • Sockeye salmon continue to move into the Eyak River and more are congregating near the lake. Fishing continues to be good but remember, no snagging is allowed and special regulations are in effect.
    • Effective June 1 - September 30, Eyak River Special Regulations around the Eyak Lake dam/weir and highway bridge are fly-fishing-only waters. 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. 
  • Sockeye are in Alaganik Slough but fishing is slow.
  • King salmon in Fleming Spit (in Cordova) continue to be caught but fishing is starting to slow down. Fish the incoming tide with spinners or bait. Fish are milling around in the lagoon but tend to get hook shy.
    • Remember no snagging in the Cordova Terminal Harvest Area between June 1 - September 30.

Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

  • Unstocked lakes opened to the retention of trout on June 15.
  • Ruth Pond, Blueberry and Thompson lakes were just stocked with rainbow trout this week! These are great options around Valdez for the kids (and adults!).

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

  • Halibut fishing has been good for most anglers getting out further, but you don’t have to travel far. Try a muddy bottom off a rocky slope in 150-300’ of water. Bigger fish were caught out deeper during the stretch of good weather last week when anglers could travel further.
    • The Valdez Halibut Derby has a new 2nd place fish. A 225.6lb fish was caught on June 24! The derby runs through September 1. Don’t forget to pick up your derby ticket before heading out.
  • Lingcod season will open on Monday, July 1. These are aggressive fish but make sure you don’t use a gaff to puncture any fish you think you might need to release.
    • Remember: bag limits for lingcod are only one per day and in possession.
    • Anglers are likely to get into rockfish while targeting lingcod. If you haven’t utilized deepwater release methods to release rockfish you are not going to retain, this is a great time to become familiar with it! You can make your own release device with an old jig by filing off the barb and tying your line to the bend in the hook. You can also stop by any ADF&G office to get a rockfish ID sheet and information on how to deepwater release.
  • Shrimp flies are a good option if you are wanting to target rockfish. With a little added bait on your hook and dropping down on a rocky pinnacle you shouldn’t have trouble getting into some fish.
  • Rockfish limits year-round are 4 fish per day, 8 in possession of which only 1 can be a nonpelagic rockfish. 
  • Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism will be required to be onboard all vessels sportfishing statewide and they must be used to release rockfish at depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower.

Salmon

  • Sockeye salmon fishing at Main Bay has picked up! Remember you are not allowed to fish from a vessel within the barrier seine. Check commercial opener announcements online to find the best times to be out.
  • King salmon are near the Whittier Boat Harbor. Just a reminder that snagging is not allowed IN the Whittier Boat Harbor. You can fish from shore or troll around Passage Canal.
  • Chum salmon are an option around Ester right now and sockeye are moving into Port Wells bound for Coghill Lake. Coghill River weir is just about operational. 
  • Pinks are near Valdez! Jumpers around Solomon Gulch and Allison Point. Getting out towards Sawmill Bay will help you get limits of pinks salmon.

Shrimp

  • Don’t forget to get your shrimp permit! The sport and subsistence shrimp season is open. 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.
  • Shallow depths can be just as productive as deeper depths when shrimping. Habitat is what’s important! Look for rocky slopes anywhere from 250-450’.
  • If your pots are lost or stolen, please contact Alaska Wildlife Troopers and file a report. Contact information can be found on your shrimp permit.
    • AWT Valdez: (907) 835-4307
    • AWT Whittier: (907) 352-5401
    • AWT Cordova: (907) 424-3184

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 three 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