Exciting Adventure for Local Youth

In the summer of 1968, several charter fishing boats left the piers of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf loaded with wide-eyed local kids looking for new adventures. Accompanying these novice fisherman were a group of off-duty San Francisco Police Officers bent on providing these kids with thrills they had never before experienced.

More than 130,000 Youths Served

Today, the San Francisco Police Youth Fishing Program is still an integral part of the recreational opportunities available for Bay Area youngsters with more than 130,000 boys and girls having participated in the Program since its inception.

New Partnerships for Learning

The nature of fishing in the San Francisco Bay Area has changed significantly over the past twenty years. To adapt to these changes, the Program is in the process of creating new partnerships that will allow for the creation of a new marine education component. Kids will develop a new appreciation of the Bay Area's marine ecology while still enjoying the opportunity of catching a "fish of a lifetime'.

Funding the Program

To assist with the funding efforts, the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association adopted The Youth Fishing Program as one of its community partners. Voluntary member donations and a portion of the proceeds from the Association’s Annual Crab Festival are distributed directly to the Program to help ensure that its activities will continue to be offered at no cost to individual youngsters, organizations and groups throughout San Francisco.

Getting Involved

If you are a youth or organization interested in enrolling in The Youth Fishing Program, click here for more information.

If you would like to contribute to the financial support of the program, please mail your donation to:

Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association
#2 Al Scoma Way at Pier 47
San Francisco, CA 94133