SDA Foundation

In partnership with the Freedom Station (San Diego), Wounded Warrior Project (San Diego), V.A. (San Diego) and the VA Aspire Center (PTSD), 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 give 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. Plus, it’s our way of giving back to those who dedicate  themselves to serving our country.

This  annual 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 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.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 Daiwa fishing rod/reel combo to keep, allowing them to continue practicing the sport of fishing and return take advantage of the many fishing opportunities in San Diego County.

In conjunction with the Port of San Diego, we host this annual � summertime Kids Fishing Derby at J Street Pier in Chula Vista. 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.

In conjunction with the Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District, we help host the Fishin’ in the Pines Kids Derby at Lake Cuyamaca. This program invites over 400 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.

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.

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.

Come join us as the Foundation put on this wonderful kids fishing derby. Now in its 10th year, this event attracts over 400 kids from San Diego County on Crystal Pier located in beautiful Pacific Beach. Loaner gear available on a first come, first serve basis provided by the Lakeside Optimist. Also, great food provided by the San Diego Anglers.

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.

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. 

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 Foundation Club to help the children with fishing instruction.

This annual kids only 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 San Diego Anglers, CA Department of Fish and Game and 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 Anglers Family Fishing Club and an awards ceremony where the winners of the “most fish” and “biggest fish” caught are announced.

In cooperation with the San Diego Sportfishing Council, the International Fish and Game Association, and the 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 Foundation to help the children with fishing instruction.