History: Our Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program (FAC) started a fishing program in 2011 to help Anchorage youth and their caregivers foster a love for fishing and become familiar with local and public land fishing opportunities. In listening to youth and caregivers, we found that lack of know-how and fear of wildlife, getting lost, and water (drowning, falling/getting pulled in) are major barriers to recruiting and retaining young anglers into fishing. Since its inception, the program has thus grown to include coldwater and wildlife safety; map reading; basic first aid; archery; conservation topics; and fishing/hunting ethics. It is currently coordinated by our Alaska Office of Communications with staff and funding support from FAC, the National Wildlife Refuge System, our Alaska Migratory Birds Office, and Ecological Services. 

Fishing: Developing a skill takes practice and instruction. We provide the gear (fishing equipment, waders) and hands-on instruction. Participants learn how to fish, cook their catch, understand fishing regulations and fish identification, and be safe outdoors. Our strategy centers on repeat interactions with kids within and across years; building competence and competence; fun, food, and comradery, and staff consistency. The summer starts with simple lake fishing techniques using closed reels and bobbers and progresses into river fishing in current for trout, char and salmon using larger open reels and rods. We focus on helping participants overcome fear of outdoor situations through hands-on demonstrations and repetitive training in classroom and outdoor settings. Safety training includes cold-water safety, fording rivers, proper life jacket use, basic first aid, orienteering, filing a float plan, and being safe around wildlife like bears and moose. 

Read more: Hooked: Summer of Firsts   I  Tips for Kid-Friendly Winter FishingI   How to Cross a River  I  EO 12962 Recreational Fisheries  I  Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956  I  National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act

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Archery: We work with groups to introduce youth to safe archery techniques and competition style shooting with NASP-trained U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service basic archery instructors from our Office of Communications and National Wildlife Refuge System. These instructors teach participants the importance of safety with archery and any shooting sports. They techniques learned at archery events can be carried over to completive archery shoots and even archery hunting of big game on the very public lands they are helping to support with the purchase of archery equipment through the Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson PR) of 1937. 

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Loons, Line, Lead Program: This program aims to reduce injuries and mortalities to loons, waterfowl and other wildlife from fishing-related gear in Anchorage and nearby communities through education, outreach, and placement of monofilament and lead tackle collection bins at popular fishing locations. Fishing gear is linked to many wildlife injuries and deaths across the globe through entanglement and ingestion. 

Pollinator Gardens: We work with youth organizations in Anchorage to install pollinator gardens at or near their facility to attract pollinators to vegetable gardens and teach concepts related to pollinators services. 

Virtual Programming: Virtual Youth Fish and Wildlife Club was created as a virtual alternative to this fishing program when COVID-19 hit in 2020 to stay connected with youth and bridge the time between summer outdoor programming. Due to the program's popularity, we've expanded it to be open to youth all across the U.S. and continue to hold weekly public Zooms featuring guests and fish and wildlife-related topics.