Alaska fish and game news

Now that the valley sportsman’s show is over and the weather is transitioning into a more spring-like pattern, things are starting to happen. ADF&G has put out several news announcements on assorted topics coming up this season. I’ll be quoting from several of them to help get information out to you.

The first release deals with the two state fish hatcheries. If you’re expecting Outside company this year or interested in learning about the state’s sportfishing hatchery operations, you might want to consider a visit to one of the state-operated fish hatcheries. Quoting, “After an extended closure period, both the Ship Creek Fisheries Center, located at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery in Anchorage, and the Tanana Valley Fisheries Center, located at the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery in Fairbanks, will be reopening to the public this spring.”

“The doors of the Ship Creek Fisheries Center will open on Tuesday, April 5th, and will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning in May, the facility will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and those hours will continue throughout the summer. Tours will be accommodated again starting in May on a limited basis — please visit our website for more information on booking tours.”

The next topic involves noncommercial shrimp pot fishing in Prince William Sound. Quoting, “The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the number of pots allowed to be used per person and per vessel in the 2022 Prince William Sound (PWS) noncommercial (sport and subsistence) shrimp pot fishery. This regulatory restriction is effective from 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 15 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2022, with no bag limit.”

“The pot limit per person and per vessel has been reduced to three pots; however, of those three pots only two pots can be set in areas of historical high effort including areas near the Port of Valdez, near the Port of Whittier, and in portions of Port Wells and Culross Passage. These areas of historically high effort make up the majority of the harvest in PWS and in these areas’ pots will be limited to only two pots per person and per vessel. Shrimpers that want to use three pots will have to travel further from the two roadside ports in PWS (Valdez and Whittier). A map will also be provided with each permit for shrimpers to reference. Additionally, spare pots may be carried on board a vessel participating in the noncommercial fishery. The noncommercial shrimp pot fishery is allocated 60% of the total allowable harvest limit….”

It’s getting to be time to think about spring bear hunting, specifically, bear baiting. According to ADF&G’s announcement on this topic, “Bear bait stations may be registered 15 days prior to the start of the season (April 15). Similar to spring 2021, hunters will be able to call local Fish and Game offices to register bait sites or register in person at an ADF&G office. If registering by phone, hunters will be emailed or mailed the permit and signs to use bait to take bears. The signs are required to be posted at your station when you go into the field, so plan accordingly. Hunters should call the office nearest the location they intend to bait, and when registering bait stations must verbally agree to the conditions of the permit.”

“You may not place bait at your site until the season is open and you have received your permit. For more information on using bait or scent lures to take bears please see pages 26 and 27 of the 2021-2022 Alaska Hunting Regulations.”

And finally, “The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska (OHFA), the department’s official non-profit partner organization, announce a special raffle for anyone wishing to visit the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary this summer.”

“The 2022 season lottery recently concluded and we are in the process of issuing those permits; however, to provide an additional opportunity and to raise funds to help support ADF&G’s programs, two permits are being offered through a raffle conducted by OHFA.”

“One winner will be selected and entitled to assign the two permits to whomever they wish (certain limitations will apply). The permit holders will also be provided lodging in Homer, Alaska, and seaplane transportation to the sanctuary. Further information and online ticket purchases are available at OHFA’s website.”

For any questions, call your local Fish and Game office.