The U.S. Forest Service has announced the dates for this year’s Youth Fishing days.
The Tongass National Forest, partners and volunteers are sponsoring youth fishing events throughout Southeast Alaska. No experience is needed to participate in these events.
Event planners will help beginning anglers get started. At many events, volunteers will be available to teach youth how to clean fish. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and all participants should bring proper footwear and clothing.
The Ketchikan-Misty Fiord Ranger District’s annual Kids Fishing Derby will be at City Park (Park Avenue and Fair Street) on June 15, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Check in and registration is at 9 a.m. the day of the event, or people can register ahead of time at the Gateway Recreation Center, Forest Service District office at 3031 Tongass Ave., or the Ketchikan Public Library.
Partners will be Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery, and Ketchikan Parks and Recreation. The hatchery will stock 2,000 juvenile king salmon. Ages 3 to 15 may start fishing at 9:30. Half of a pond will be sectioned off for kids under 6. Activities include fishing, lure making, casting challenge, angler ethics, fish printing (please bring your own washed T-shirt) and prize drawings. Participants should bring a fishing pole with size 8–10 single hook (no lures). For more information, call 907-225-2148.
The Craig and Thorne Bay Ranger Districts’ 21st Kids Fishing Day will be at the Klawock River Hatchery on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Partners are the Prince of Wales Hatchery, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Prince of Wales Healthcare Network, University of Alaska Southeast Fisheries Department, Civil Air Patrol, Craig Tribal Association, Prince of Wales Watershed Association, Craig Library, LAPC, Klawock Emergency Medical Service and Search and Rescue, and local businesses.
Kids can fish for coho juveniles in holding tanks outside the hatchery. Anglers can fish for rainbow and cutthroat trout along Klawock Lake and River. Activities include casting contests, fish printing (bring a T-shirt), fly tying, fish ID, hatchery tours, obstacle courses, educational booths, fly fishing demonstrations, and casting instructions for all ages. All youth must register to participate.
Shuttle service from the Klawock AC Store parking lot will be provided every 30 minutes. For more information, contact Brandy Prefontaine, Interpretation and Education Fisheries Coordinator for the Craig and Thorne Bay Ranger Districts at 907-826-3271 ext. 1622 or 907-209-4079; or call Dan Goodness, Hatchery Manager, at 907-775-2231.
