The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently announced new sport fishing regulations for the Prince William Sound Management Area following the Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting in December 2024. These changes will be included in the 2025 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet set to be released in April 2025.
Some of the key regulations include a reduction in the rockfish bag limit to 3 per day, with only 1 nonpelagic rockfish allowed per day and in possession. Additionally, yelloweye rockfish may not be retained from January 1 to June 30, aligning with the lingcod season.
Anglers in Main Bay are now prohibited from fishing within 200 feet seaward of the Main Bay Hatchery barrier seine whether from a vessel or shore. Charter operators and their crew are also restricted from retaining rockfish or king salmon while clients are onboard.
A sport fishery for Tanner crab will open in fall 2025, requiring a permit and aligning with the seasons and stipulations of the subsistence fishery.
For more information on these regulations and Prince William Sound sport fisheries, anglers can contact Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth at (907) 267-2186 or brittany.blain@alaska.gov, or Assistant Area Management Biologist Donald Arthur at (907) 267-2225 or donald.arthur@alsaka.gov.
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