Beaverton, Ore. — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is hosting a free youth angling event Saturday, May 12 at Commonwealth Pond in Cedar Hills, Oregon near Beaverton.
From a donation provided by Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, ODFW is giving away eight brand new Shakespeare rod and reel combos. Winners will be selected at random from a drawing. Two winners will be announced each hour between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Young anglers can submit their drawing entry for free at the ODFW check-in station. One entry per angler age 13 and under permitted. No purchase necessary, winners must be present to win.
ODFW will stock over 2,000 legal size rainbow trout. Island Springs Hatchery will stock 375 larger size trout. The department is also supplying rods and reels for the day in addition to bait, 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 2:00 p.m. at Commonwealth Pond to answer questions and offer assistance to less experienced youth anglers. Packets of information including the new Warm Water Fishing in Oregon pamphlets and the Easy Angling Oregon booklets will be available to participants. The event is free to the public.
“We’re really thankful to Shakespeare for donating the eight rods and reels,” says Jeff Fulop, STEP Biologist for the North Willamette Watershed. “Families are really interested in fishing. Giving the kids their own rod and reel to take home is a jump start to get them on their way!”
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.
To get to Commonwealth Pond from Sunset Highway (Highway 26) take Cedar Hills Blvd. Exit south 1/2 mile and turn right on Foothills Drive. Follow Foothills Drive to Commonwealth Park.
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