Fish Creek Youth-Only Fishery hauls in success for young anglers

Age has no bounds as young fishing fans had their own opportunity to catch salmon this past weekend at Fish Creek as the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) opened the Fish Creek Youth-Only Fishery. This special fishing time was just for kids 15 years old or younger.

Fish Creek, located at Mile 16 on Knik-Goose Bay Road opens for one week a year, and sets aside one weekend for the young anglers to fish for all types of salmon except king salmon. Each day, kids were allowed to keep up to three salmon, but only two of those can be coho salmon, which are also called silver salmon.

Adults were able to help kids land their fish, but could not fish during the special weekend.

The Youth-Only Fisheries were created by Alaska lawmakers and the Alaska Board of Fisheries to give young people a special opportunity to go fishing.

Fish Creek will open to fishers of all ages starting Saturday, August 9. From that point on, the creek will be open every day from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. All regular sport fishing rules will still apply during both the youth weekend and the regular season.