Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince William Sound

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 03, 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 starting to move into the Eyak River in Cordova. Fishing should start to pick up in the coming weeks.
  • 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.
• 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.

Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic char

• From April 15-June 14 there is no retention of cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, or steelhead to protect spawning fish. In addition, no bait is allowed during this time. Anglers may only use unbaited, artificial lures or flies.
• 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 are the favorites to catch in Prince William Sound right now. Many anglers are reporting the success of catching some decent halibut with bigger fish getting caught out towards Montague.
• The Valdez Halibut Derby is underway and goes through September 5.
• 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!
• Lingcod season will open on July 1.

Salmon

• Bait is still hanging around Passage Canal and near Latouche. Look for king salmon following the schools of bait. No kings have been reported near Whittier yet but could start arriving anytime. A few kings are also being caught by anglers trolling in the Cordova Terminal Harvest Area.
  • Remember the Cordova Terminal Harvest Area is closed to snagging from June 1 to September 30.
• It is also a good time to start looking for kings milling around out towards Montague Island as well.
• Chum salmon should start showing up around Ester Island any day now.
• 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 opened on
  April 15 and will close on September 15. You are required to have your permit with you and document it 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’ 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 through September 15, 2021.

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.