Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 06, 2019

Week of September 5 - September 11

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Coho salmon are in the Eyak River, Ibeck Creek, and Alaganik Slough. Water levels are low, and fish are holding in deep holes.
  • 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.
• Alaganik Slough in Cordova is best fished around the incoming tide in the lower areas.
• Ibeck Creek is closed to all fishing upstream from a point 3 miles about the Copper River Highway.
  • A lot of fish moved into the creek and became stranded. You may see large numbers of dead fish in some areas of the creek.
• Remember, a coho salmon that is removed from the water must be retained and becomes part of the daily bag limit for the person who originally hooked the fish. A person may not remove a coho salmon from the water before releasing it.
• From August 15 - September 15: After harvesting a limit of coho salmon a person may not sport fish with bait for the rest of the day in these waters.

Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Unstocked lakes opened to the retention of trout on June 15.
• Heading into Valdez? Thompson Lake is a great option to catch stocked with rainbow trout!

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Halibut fishing has slowed down for many anglers. When fishing inside PWS try fishing large bait on muddy bottom off a rocky slope in 200 - 300’ of water. Fishing bigger bait in outside waters will increase your options of catching larger fish.
• The Valdez Halibut Derby ended on September 1 and a 285.6lb fish took first place!
• Lingcod fishing has been good for anglers targeting these aggressive fish.
  • Try using large jigs on rocky pinnacles in the outer waters of Prince Williams Sound. Staying just off the bottom will still catch you lingcod and reduce your chances of catching a rockfish.
  • Remember, the minimum size to retain a lingcod is 35 inches with the head attached (or 28 inches with the head removed). Don’t use a gaff to puncture any fish you think you might release.
  • 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. For more info, check out our Rockfish Conservation webpage.
  • Having trouble identifying the species of rockfish you caught? Check out our rockfish ID sheet for the more commonly captured rockfish. You can also check out NOAA’s in-depth rockfish identification page.
• Rockfish limits year-round are 4 fish per day and 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

• More reports have come in about coho salmon being caught in Passage Canal and near Pigot Point. Fishing in Whittier should continue to be good over the next couple weeks while these fish continue to move in closer to town. Remember, no snagging is allowed in the Whittier Harbor.
• Pinks are still around in large numbers around Valdez and Cordova. Schools of pinks can be targeted with spoons during the incoming and high tides. Many pinks have begun to undergo their spawning transformation, but these fish can still be blast for kids to target.
  • Starting August 2, the bag and possession limit on pinks in the Valdez area was been increased to 12 per day and 24 in possession. This will not change the bag and possession on coho salmon. See the News Release for more details.
• Coho salmon are being caught around Valdez Arm and in the Port. Port Valdez near Gold Creek, Allison Point, and the boat harbor continue to be productive.
  • The Valdez Silver Salmon Derby ended on September 1 with the winning fish weighing in at 15.32lbs!

Shrimp

• Don’t forget that the sport and subsistence shrimp season is only open until September 15. Your pots must be removed from the water by this date! Harvest must be reported for each individual time you pull your pots and a full report must be received by October 15.
• Remember, 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.
• 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-PS-6-43-19 increases the pink salmon bag and possession limit in the saltwaters of Port Valdez north of a line from Potato Point to Entrance Point (Valdez Narrows) to 12 per day, 24 in possession. Fresh water salmon closures remain in effect for Port Valdez.
• 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.