Kelly Reis, Asst District Fish Biologist (541) 726-3515
Christie Scott, PIO  (971) 673-6038
Fax: (971) 673-6070

CRESWELL, Ore. — The air is getting warmer and the fish are ready to bite.  Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting a youth angling event Saturday, April 28 at Garden Lake, also known as Creswell Pond, in Creswell, Oregon. The event is free to the public.

Lake’s Trout Farm, Inc. will stock 750 fish, 250 of which will be 12 inches or greater at Garden Lake. The department is also supplying rods and reels, tackle and fish bags for use by young anglers without fishing equipment. ODFW staff and volunteers will be on hand from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to answer questions and offer assistance to less experienced youth anglers. Packets of information including the new Easy Angling Oregon booklets will be available to participants. 

“It’s no problem if you don’t own any fishing gear or if you’ve never been fishing before,” says Kelly Reis, Assistant District Fish Biologist for the South Willamette Watershed.  “ODFW will have all the equipment and advice the kids need to enjoy a day on the water.  And ODFW will even clean their catch for them!”

This program was made possible through a $50,000 appropriation from the Oregon Legislature and a partnership with the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation, which has pledged an additional $50,000 and is working with ODFW to develop and promote youth fishing opportunities throughout the state.

Under Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, anglers aged 13 and under do not require a license, while those 14-17 require a juvenile license.  All fishing regulations continue to apply for this event.

Garden Lake Park is visible from the freeway on the east side of I-5.  To get to Garden Lake, take the Creswell exit from I-5 (Exit 182).  Head east on Cloverdale Rd before heading north on Emerald Parkway.  Turn west onto Melton Road and follow Melton north to park entrance.