Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 03, 2020

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing 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 when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

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

Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism is required on all sport fishing vessels in Alaska and they must be used to release rockfish back down to depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Never heard of deepwater release? Check out our rockfish conservation webpage for more info!

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-6-13-20 decreased the number of shrimp pots allowed to harvest shrimp in the Prince William Sound shrimp fishery to three pots per person with a maximum of three pots per vessel used to take shrimp.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

  • Sockeye salmon are moving into the Eyak River in Cordova.
    • 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
    • Fishing closures are in place for cutthroat trout and rainbow trout/steelhead from April 15-June 14 to protect spawning fish.

Local Lakes

  • Blueberry and Thompson lakes and Ruth Pond will be stocked in the next couple of weeks.

Saltwater Fishing

Port Sampling efforts in Whittier and Valdez are in full effect.

Please assist our port sampling program by returning to the harbor with whole groundfish or groundfish carcasses and allowing ADF&G technicians to sample your harvest. Data collected from the sport fish 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 the Southcentral.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

  • Lingcod season is currently closed and will open on July 1.
  • Rockfish and halibut are the favorites to catch in Prince William Sound right now. Halibut fishing has been good when weather permits getting out further, but you don’t have to travel too far. Try around Perry Island if you want to stay close. If you can get out further the Bainbridge area has been productive for some decent sized halibut around slack tide.
  • The Valdez Halibut Derby started on May 23. The top fish was caught last week and weighed in at 157lbs!
  • Your best bet for getting pelagic black rockfish is out towards Montague Island and the west side of Hinchinbrook Island. Fish have been feeding at the surface on free swimming pelagic snails! It is quite the sight to see!
  • Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which only one can be a nonpelagic rockfish. Check your 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.

Salmon

  • Chum and sockeye salmon are showing up around Ester Island and Port Wells with fish bound for the hatchery and Coghill River.
  • A few sockeye are getting picked up just outside Eshamy and Main Bay. Commercial openers have begun so there will be a lot of boats in the areas during openers that usually happen on Mondays and Thursday.
  • Kings are milling around the Sound. Reports of fish getting caught further out towards Cape Clear but also around the south end of Culross Island and Pigot Point. Give trolling a try between 50-100 feet.

Shrimp

  • Don’t forget to get your shrimp permit! The sport and subsistence shrimp season is currently open and will close on September 15, 2020. You are required to have your permit with you and document anytime you have pots in the water.
  • After retrieval, you must record your catch on your permit immediately after you harvest shrimp.
  • You can report your shrimp harvest online any time. Once the season closes you must report all of your harvest no later than October 15, 2020. **Harvest must be reported for each individual time you pull your pots.
  • Shrimping has been good! There is no magic depth for shrimping. A good starting point would be in the 300-400’ range.
  • 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

Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 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 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing 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 14, 2020 Sep 11, 2020 Sep 02, 2020 Aug 26, 2020 Aug 19, 2020 Aug 12, 2020 Aug 05, 2020 Jul 30, 2020
Jul 22, 2020 Jul 15, 2020 Jul 08, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Jun 24, 2020 Jun 16, 2020 Jun 10, 2020 Jun 03, 2020
May 27, 2020 May 20, 2020 May 13, 2020 May 07, 2020