Alaska Department of Fish & Game's PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND and the Copper River Delta Area
Weekly Fishing Forecast Disclaimer
This report is reproduced from information provided by Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Anchorage Office, and will be updated weekly throughout the fishing season. The same message can be accessed on their Record-A-Phone "Sportfishing Forecast" at (907) 267-2516.
DATE:Week of MAY 15 - 21, 2012
Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes
Permits are mandatory for all noncommercial shrimp fishermen. Permits are available at local Fish and Game offices and at select vendors.
Lingcod season is closed until July 1 to protect nest-guarding males.
Cutthroat and Rainbow/Steelhead trout fishing is closed until June 15th.
Ibeck Creek is closed to all sport fishing upstream from a regulatory 3 miles above the Copper River Highway.
FRESHWATER SALMON
Fishing for salmon in freshwater is limited this time of year although a few early fish are in the Eyak River.
Resident Fish - Trout, Grayling & Dolly Varden
Cutthroat and rainbow/steelhead trout fishing is closed until June 15 to protect spawning adults.
Dolly Varden are present in many of the streams throughout Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta. Use fry/smolt imitation flies or small spinners at lake outlets or stream confluences.
SALTWATER Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish
Halibut angling has been starting to pick up inside the Sound and has been productive at the ocean entrances. Several reports of large fish caught in Strawberry Channel and Hinchinbrook Entrance were received last week.
Rockfish angling is quite productive with herring jigs and bait near herring spawning sites. Remember to move once you catch your limit.
Salmon
Trolling for winter kings tapered off last week. Hatchery returns to Flemming Spit and the Old Town site in Valdez should start showing up any day now.
Shrimp & Shellfish
Shrimping continues to be great near Whittier and Valdez.
Don't forget your shrimp permit - everyone needs one.
Report all suspected shrimp pot theft to your local fish and game office or a state trooper.
Remember to weight down your trap so that the current won't sweep it away into deeper water.
