Some of the programs we provide:
Warriors on the Water (WOW) Fishing Program – In partnership with the Armed Services YMCA San Diego and the Department of Defense, the San Diego Anglers Foundation is proud to offer free of charge saltwater fishing adventures to disabled military personnel and their families by creating an adaptive, community based outdoor recreation experience, and as a way to gi
ve them extra therapeutic support during their recovery period. Numerous studies have shown that traumatic events not only affect the psychological structures of the self, but also the attachment and meaning that link individuals and their families together. This program seeks to restore those disconnects, it allows military members a chance to have social interactions and bond with family members, while enjoying the sport of fishing. Kids Fishing Clinics – This is a new program that will start once dedicated funding has been obtained. The goal of the program is to provide youth education resources and training in recreational fresh and saltwater fishing. These instructional classes will be taught at local lakes and aboard commercial sportfishing vessels in a causal on the water education experience. Besides learning how to fish, participants will be taught conservation measures to ensure the continued substantiality of our marine resources. Kids Twilight Fishing Adventures – In cooperation with the non-profit organization the San Diego Anglers, this is a continuation of the Kids Fishing Clinics Fishing Program. Once the children have obtained the necessary skills and knowledge of fishing, this next step program provides recreational fishing opportunities aboard commercial fishing vessels at little or no cost to the youth angler. Kids Fishing Derby – In conjunction with the Unified Port of San Diego, we will take over the Kids Fishing Derby that was operated by the non-profit organization The San Diego Anglers. This activity invites disadvantaged children from the communities surrounding San Diego Bay to participate in this fishing derby at no cost to the child or the family. Besides learning about fishing opportunities in San Diego Bay, the children are taught about the various recreational opportunities available within the tidelands of San Diego Bay, but also about fish conservation and marine biology in coordination with information booths provided by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Young Anglers Tournament at Shelter Island Pier – In cooperation with the San Diego Sportfishing Council, the International Fish and Game Association, and the Unified Port of San Diego, children ages six through fifteen are invited to compete in the no cost Young Anglers Tournament each August at the Shelter Island Pier located on San Diego Bay. The tournament features a point system to allow for catch-and-release as a way of promoting conservation measures to the young anglers. There is one winner in each age category between six and fifteen, and is determined by compiling points for various fish caught. The angler with the most points overall is recognized on the tournament’s perpetual trophy. This tournament is run by IGFA representatives and volunteers from the United Pier and Shore Anglers Club, and the San Diego Anglers to help the children with fishing instruction. Marine Life Studies Program – This program takes children who live in the surrounding communities of San Diego County that might have never seen the ocean, to learn about marine mammals and to have a first-hand experience on the water and actually see whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife, and to learn how much the world really needs them to become environmental stewards. To meet this need, Marine Life Studies presents educational programs to children in schools, camps, and special events. Marine Life Studies Educational Programs and Activities include the environmental and health hazards of marine debris, water and shore cleanups, marine wildlife entanglement, marine life research, photo ID and data collection, GPS positioning, and study and observation of marine wildlife in the Pacific Ocean. Fisheries Restoration Program – This will be a new program once required funding has been obtained. The Fisheries Restoration Grant Program will help reestablish rapidly declining populations of crappie, bass and trout and deteriorating fish habitat in local San Diego County lakes. The first two lakes on the list would be lakes operated by the Boy Scouts of America and the Girls Scouts of the USA. These two lakes have become non-fishable and non-operational due to lack of funding available. This program will invest the necessary funds to support projects from sediment reduction to watershed education throughout coastal California. Contributing partners may include federal and local governments, tribes, water districts, fisheries organizations, watershed restoration groups, the California Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps, and private landowners. Fishing in the City Program - Fishing in the City clinics gives city dwellers an opportunity to learn how to fish, and to fish close to home. Lakes are stocked with trout in winter and catfish the rest of the year. The Fishing in the City program was created to improve angling opportunities to San Diego’s growing urban population. Consistent with trends across the country, San Diego’s urban anglers identified a lack of free time as the primary reason why they don’t fish more or stopped altogether. San Diego Bay as well as many city and regional park lakes were all but forgotten as potential fishing sites and many lack adequate facilities, staff, or fish to sustain a fishing program. The goal of this program is to educate and provide the support necessary to educate the general public on all the surrounding community lakes and bays ready to be fished. STAR/PAL Annual Kids Fishing Derby – The Annual STAR/PAL Fishing Derby gives over 350 kids, ages eight to fourteen, from inner-city neighborhoods a basic introduction to the sport of fishing. Held at Chollas Lake in College Grove, this one-day fishing derby brings youth participants together with volunteers from the Department of Fish and Game and various law enforcement and public safety agencies to learn the basics of fishing etiquette and safety, as well as the fundamentals of bating, casting, and reeling. After a day of practicing along the lake, the youth participants enjoy a BBQ lunch prepared by volunteers from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and an awards ceremony where the winners of the “most fish” and “biggest fish” caught are announced. The objective of the Fishing Derby is to provide youth with an enriching and entertaining activity while positively engaging with law enforcement , as well as introduce them to a resource right in their own backyard where they can practice the skills they learn. Each participant is given a fishing pole to keep, allowing them to continue practicing the sport of fishing and return to the lake. Fishin’ in the Pines – In conjunction with the Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District, we will take over the Fishin’ in the Pines Kids Derby at Lake Cuyamaca that was supported by the non-profit organization The San Diego Anglers. This program invites over 600 children and their families from Riverside and San Diego County to participate in this fishing derby at no cost to the child or the family. Besides learning about fishing opportunities at Lake Cuyamaca, the children are taught about the various recreational opportunities available within the Lake Cuyamaca Lake and Recreation District, but also about fish conservation and marine biology in coordination with information booths provided by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of San Diego County Day on the Bay – The Annual BBBS Day on the Bay Fishing adventure takes 30 kids and their sponsors, ages eight to fifteen, on fishing boats for a basic introduction to the sport of fishing. Held in San Diego Bay, this annual one-day fishing adventure brings youth participants together with volunteers to learn the basics of fishing etiquette and safety, as well as the fundamentals of bating, casting, and reeling. After a morning of fishing in San Diego Bay, the youth participants enjoy a BBQ lunch prepared by volunteers from the San Diego Anglers. The objective of this event is to provide youth with an enriching and entertaining activity, as well as introducing them to a resource right in their own backyard where they can practice the skills they learn. Each participant is given a fishing pole to keep, allowing them to continue practicing the sport of fishing and return take advantage of the many fishing opportunities in San Diego County. Day at the Docks Kids Fishing Pens – In cooperation with the San Diego Sportfishing Council and the Unified Port of San Diego, children ages four through fifteen are invited to experience their first fishing adventure each April at the temporary fishing pens located at the docks along Fisherman’s Landing, Point Loma Landing and H&M Landing. The kids are allowed to catch-and-release fish stocked in the pens as a way of promoting conservation measures to the young anglers. This event is run by the San Diego Sportfishing Council and volunteers from the San Diego Anglers to help the children with fishing instruction.
