Youth Fishing Opportunities Around Alaska

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Youth-Only Fishing at Seward Lagoon June 17 – June 30

(Anchorage) – The Seward Lagoon and Lagoon Outfall stream will be open to king (Chinook) salmon fishing for youth anglers aged 15 years or younger only, from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2020, for a Youth-Only Fishery. The Youth-Only fisheries were established by the Alaska Board of Fisheries to provide additional opportunity for young people to go fishing. The dates of this Youth-Only Fishery were liberalized at the December 2019 Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting. It is now open from June 17 – June 30. 

“Fishing for kings in saltwater in the Seward area has been picking up the last week and kings have been moving up into the lagoon. This fishery presents a good opportunity for kids to catch a king salmon,” stated Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer.

Youth anglers are allowed to use one (single or treble) hook when fishing in the Seward Lagoon or Lagoon Outfall stream. Bait is also allowed. Snagging is not allowed in the lagoon or outfall stream and all snagged fish need to be released immediately. The bag and possession limit for king salmon is two per day. Once you have retained a bag limit of king salmon, you may not fish for any species in the Seward Lagoon or the Lagoon Outfall stream on that same day. People age 16 and older are encouraged to help the young anglers but remember this is a Youth-Only Fishery for anglers under 16 years-old and the fish belongs to whomever hooks the fish, so let the kids fish. Outside of this Youth-Only Fishery, the lagoon and outfall stream are closed to fishing for king salmon.

Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

For current regulations, please see page 79 of the 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218.

Ship Creek Youth-Only King Salmon Fishery, Saturday, June 20

(Anchorage) – The 2020 Youth-Only Fishery for king salmon on Ship Creek in Anchorage will take place Saturday, June 20, 2020, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. New this year: The end time of the Youth-Only Fishery was extended to 11:00 p.m. at the December 2019 Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting.

Anglers who are 15 years of age and younger will have the opportunity to fish for king salmon in Ship Creek between the Bridge Restaurant and the C Street bridge. This Youth-Only Fishery was established by the Alaska Board of Fisheries to provide a special opportunity for young people to get out and go fishing. Youth anglers do not need a sport fishing license or king salmon stamp but do need a Sport Fish Harvest Record Card. Any king salmon harvested must be recorded immediately. Although people age 16 and older can assist youth anglers with landing a fish, this section of Ship Creek is closed to all fishing, including catch-and-release, for anglers 16-years and older during this time. As with all fisheries in Alaska, the fish belongs to the angler that sets the hook.

The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater is one per day. These king salmon count toward the Cook Inlet annual limit of five king salmon, 20 inches or longer. The bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches is five per day. Bait is allowed during this time. Snagging is not allowed.

Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

For current regulations and a map of the Youth-Only area, please see page 49 of the 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218.

Youth-Only King Salmon Fishing Day at the Eklutna Tailrace, Saturday, June 20

(Palmer) – The 2020 Eklutna Tailrace King Salmon Youth-Only Fishery will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020.

“We encourage adults to bring young anglers out to the Eklutna Tailrace on Saturday to give them a shot at catching king salmon, without adult competition,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Samantha Oslund.

The Eklutna Tailrace Youth-Only Fishery allows anglers 15 years and younger to fish from the confluence with the Knik River upstream to the pedestrian bridge. The Eklutna Tailrace is located at mile 3.5 on the Old Glenn Highway. Sections dedicated to this Youth-Only fishing are closed to anglers 16 years and up, including catch-and-release, but the remainder of the Tailrace will be open to fishing for anglers of all ages.

Youth anglers do not need a sport fishing license but must have a Sport Fish Harvest Record Card and record their catch immediately. The bag limit is one king salmon per day and anglers may not fish after harvesting a king salmon. Anglers can use bait and multiple hooks. Adults can assist young anglers in baiting the hook and casting, as well as landing the fish.

The Youth-Only Fisheries were established by the Alaska State Legislature and implemented by the Alaska Board of Fisheries to provide a special opportunity for young people to get out and go fishing.

Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

For additional information, including the remaining portions of the Eklutna Tailrace, please review page 40 of the 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet or contact the ADF&G Palmer office at (907) 746-6300.