Fishing Report: Kid anglers gather at the Ninilchick river for 2024 youth fishing day

NINILCHICK, Alaska (KTUU) - For many fishermen around the 49th state, there’s no better feeling than reeling in a King Salmon.

But for one day a year on the Ninilchick River, it’s Alaska’s youth that gets to have that joy all to themselves.

Started in 2017 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, kids aged 15 and under gathered with family for the 2024 Ninilchick River Youth Hatchery Day on June 5, bringing in anglers of all ages to try and get their hands on one of Alaska’s prized catches.

“This is such a great opportunity for families — even parents that fish — to come and let their kids fish and just focus on them,” said Fish and Game Biologist Mike Booz.

Spread out across two miles of waterfront, families could be seen casting lines all across the bank, and with a little help from mom and dad, it wasn’t long before a few kings were learning what dry land looks like.

“We had a 7-year-old a little bit ago catch his first king salmon all by himself,” Booz said. “Last year we had a kid that caught a fish that was nearly 20 pounds.”

Not a bad haul for some who are just getting their feet wet, especially in something that Booz says is so important.

“Here in Alaska, we’re all fishermen in some capacity, so helping get them started means a lot to us,” Booz said. “I would just encourage the parents that might see this to put it on their calendars for next year ... there’s a lot more room for a lot more kids. Ninilchik, there’s several state park campgrounds, so you can turn it into kind of a weekend in the middle of the week, so if you missed this year’s event, put it on the calendar for next year.”

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