Prince William Sound king salmon limits slashed to one fish

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has reduced the bag and possession limit for king salmon to one fish across most Prince William Sound salt waters under Emergency Order 2-KS-6-15-26. The order maintains a two-fish bag limit and four-fish possession limit in the terminal harvest areas at Whittier, Cordova, Valdez, and Chenega.

The emergency order applies to all Prince William Sound salt waters between Cape Fairfield and Cape Suckling, including waters within 200 miles of shore. The restriction is intended to reduce harvest of king salmon stocks experiencing a period of low productivity.

Current Fishing Conditions

King salmon fishing has been slow to fair in Prince William Sound, according to the May 22 fishing report from Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth. Anglers who have been putting effort into trolling are catching king salmon in Northwestern Prince William Sound and near Cape Cleare on Montague Island.

Halibut are beginning to migrate back into Prince William Sound, with anglers producing fair catches of mostly smaller halibut near the entrances. Fishing for Pacific cod has been good throughout Prince William Sound and outside waters.

Shrimp Fishery Restrictions

A second emergency order, 2-SHR-6-19-26, reduces the number of shrimp pots allowed to harvest shrimp in the Prince William Sound noncommercial shrimp fishery to two pots per person with a maximum of two pots per vessel. The order also reduces the open season for the Prince William Sound noncommercial shrimp fishery to May 1 through June 8.

Other Species Updates

Cutthroat trout fishing has been good in lakes in the Cordova area; however, many of the lakes in the remainder of Prince William Sound are still iced over. From April 15 through June 14 there is no retention of cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, or steelhead trout to protect spawning fish, and no bait is allowed during this time.

Yelloweye rockfish season is closed until July 1 by regulation. Lingcod season is also closed until July 1.

License Requirements

The fishing report reminds anglers to purchase a 2026 sport fishing license and king stamp. Licenses and stamps can be purchased and displayed through the ADF&G Mobile App. Anglers should review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2026 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area they are fishing before heading out.

For additional information, contact the Anchorage Office at 907-267-2218 or Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth at 907-267-2186 or [email protected].