More than 50 million Americans enjoy the sport of fishing. To celebrate this favored pastime (second only to swimming) thousands of fishing events will be held nationwide during National Fishing Week June 3-9, 1996, including a kickoff in Washington, D.C.
Many of the special fishing events held during National Fishing Week are aimed at introducing children to a healthy pastime, giving them a chance to enjoy the outdoors, and teaching them about conservation and the environment.
The National Fishing Week kickoff in Washington, D.C. will be held June 3 at Constitution Gardens on the Mall, where more than 500 children from area schools will try for bluegill and channel catfish in the 7-acre pond.
In Alaska, children and adults around the State will have the opportunity to learn catch and release techniques, fish with biologists, take floating trips and all-day fishing trips and picnics. Most of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services 16 National Wildlife Refuges throughout the State have planned activities to teach conservation, fishing and aquatic ecology.
As part of National Fishing Week, federal agencies will unveil a just-completed National Recreational Fishery Resources Conservation Plan outlining strategies federal agencies will pursue to improve recreational fishing. The Plans goal is to boost recreational fishing opportunities nationwide through conservation, restoration and enhancement of aquatic systems and fish populations and by increasing fishing access, education, outreach, and partnership opportunities.
In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service will announce their final policy on improving administration of the Endangered Species Act, as it relates to recreational fisheries. The policy is aimed at avoiding or resolving conflicts between endangered species conservation and recreational fishing.
Begun more than a decade ago, National Fishing Week starts on the first Monday in June and continues through the following Sunday. About 2,500 National Fishing Week events are held annually with an estimated half-million participants nationwide.
A list of National Fishing Week activities sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska follows:
FWS1996 National Fishing Week Activities
Alaska Peninsula/Becharof NWR: The Refuge Complex will celebrate National Fishing Week in mid- July, to coincide with the king salmon run on the Naknek River. Ten youths will be taken out on an all day fishing trip and picnic lunch. Youths selected to take the fishing trip have been local winners in the Goose Calendar Contest. Participants are taught basic watercraft safety and proper "catch and release" techniques. Generally, three or four refuge staff are involved in this fishing week celebration.
Division of Fishery Resources: Two Fishery Biologists gave classroom presentations to two high school and one junior high class. Presentations emphasized the Services Fisheries program, stewardship of fishery resources, and the importance of conserving Alaskas aquatic resources, habitats, and ecosystems.
Fairbanks FRO, Ecological Services - Fairbanks, Northern Ecoregion NWRs: Staff will host Outdoor Days, a 3-day event for approximately 600 6th Grade students. Stations on salmon migrations and aquatic entomology are included in the event. Partners included the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, and local Fairbanks area schools.
Izembek NWR: The Izembek Refuge will be conducting a youth fishing derby and picnic. Participants will receive a fishing week certificate of accomplishment, hat and poster, with prizes for the largest fish. Posters will be distributed around town to inform adults of fishing week.
Juneau FRO: Approximately 140 4th grade students from Juneau participated in an exploration of the Mendenhall Wetlands for fish, birds, and plant life. The students were taught about the value of wetland and estuarine habitats to juvenile anadromous fish. A hands-on activity involving the capture and identification of zooplankton and pink salmon fry from intertidal pools was appreciated by all students. The students gained an appreciation of food webs and learned to identify common invertebrate species such as amphipods and mysid shrimp.
Kenia FRO and Kenai NWR: A Pathways to Fishing event will be conducted as part of the 1996 Kenai River Festival. The festival will be held June 8 and 9 in Kenai at the Leif Hansen Memorial Park. This will be the sixth river festival and the fourth year of Service participation with the pathways to Fishing event.
Kenia FRO and Alaska Maritime NWR: The Homer Youth Fishing Fair was staffed by Refuge and Fisheries personnel. Conservation, sportsmanship and catch and release fishing techniques were discussed with approximately 160 youth.
King Salmon Fishery Resource Office: A float trip down the Naknek River is planned for the local Scout troop. The Scouts should enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling in the pristine waters of Katmai National Park.
Kodiak NWR: Refuge staff and volunteers will manage the educational component of the annual Kodiak Pink Salmon Derby, emphasizing fishing ethics and conservation.
Kodiak NWR: Films and displays on fishing, fishery resources, and wetlands will be shown during National Fishing Week at the Kodiak Refuge Visitor Center.
Regional Office: Staff will participate in Kids Fishing Day, in cooperation with the Chugach National Forest. Alder Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout, and approximately 100 youth are anticipated at this family-orientated event. Fishing techniques will be taught, and casting and coloring contests will be held. Sammy the Salmon and Smokey the Bear are likely to attend.
Togiak NWR: A Pathways to Fishing event will be held June 4. Six learning stations for children for children age 5 and above will be conducted, including: fish biology, fishing tackle, knot tying, catch and release ethics, casting, and angler safety. The local Girl Scout troop will be participating.
Togiak NWR: During the last week of May, Refuge staff will be working with elementary grades displaying fish anatomy (dissection) and talking about local fish biology and management.
Togiak NWR: A pond ecology and aquatic invertebrates class was taught by Refuge staff on May 14. Three separate first grade classes were taken to a local pond to collect aquatic invertebrates. Students brought samples back to the classroom for identification.
