(Palmer) - The 2020 Eklutna Tailrace King Salmon Youth-Only Fishery will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020.

“We encourage adults to bring young anglers out to the Eklutna Tailrace on Saturday to give them a shot at catching king salmon, without adult competition,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Samantha Oslund.

The Eklutna Tailrace Youth-Only Fishery allows anglers 15 years and younger to fish from the confluence with the Knik River upstream to the pedestrian bridge. The Eklutna Tailrace is located at mile 3.5 on the Old Glenn Highway. Sections dedicated to this Youth-Only fishing are closed to anglers 16 years and up, including catch-and-release, but the remainder of the Tailrace will be open to fishing for anglers of all ages.

Youth anglers do not need a sport fishing license but must have a Sport Fish Harvest Record Card and record their catch immediately. The bag limit is one king salmon per day and anglers may not fish after harvesting a king salmon. Anglers can use bait and multiple hooks. Adults can assist young anglers in baiting the hook and casting, as well as landing the fish.

The Youth-Only Fisheries were established by the Alaska State Legislature and implemented by the Alaska Board of Fisheries to provide a special opportunity for young people to get out and go fishing.

Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

For additional information, including the remaining portions of the Eklutna Tailrace, please review page 40 of the 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet or contact the ADF&G Palmer office at (907) 746-6300.

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