The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Bonneville Hatchery, in cooperation with a number of clubs, agencies, and individual volunteers, is again sponsoring the 14th annual "Passport to Fishing" event on Saturday, June 9, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This family oriented event is the largest Portland Metro Area fishing event, but is only one of many fishing events held statewide during Free Fishing Weekend (complete list of ODFW Northwest Region events attached). “Passport to Fishing” has grown over the years and attracts up to 1,000 children and their parents.
The fishing clinic for children ages 12 and under offers ten stations and two separate fishing areas divided by age group. At the stations, children learn about river care, water safety, responsible angling, casting, and fish identification. The fishing areas will be stocked with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout and a few trophy fish especially for this event. Each young angler will be allowed a 30-minute fishing period in which a limit of two fish may be caught. Only one of the two fish may be a trophy fish. Fishing poles, fishing tackle, fish bags and ice will be provided. Personal fishing equipment will not be allowed.
“The fishing clinic provides an opportunity for less experienced youth anglers to try their hand at fishing and get some tips from the experts,” says Marla Chaney, Bonneville Hatchery Acting Manager. “ODFW is there to answer questions and offer a few pointers so that everyone can experience the joy of fishing.”
Free Fishing Weekend allows the public to fish, clam, or crab anywhere in Oregon without a fishing license or tag on June 9 or 10. However, all regulations related to fishing locations, species, and catch limits still apply.
Jeff Boechler, Watershed District Manager, emphasized that “Several lakes in the Portland Metro area will be stocked by ODFW with additional legal-size and larger size rainbow trout for Free Fishing Weekend. ODFW plans the stocking specifically to provide more fishing opportunities for youth, families, and first-time anglers.”
If you have any questions about “Passport to Fishing,” please call Jennell Hoehne, Volunteer Coordinator in Clackamas at 971-673-6008. For more information about statewide Free Fishing Weekend events, check ODFW’s website www.dfw.state.or.us.
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ODFW Sponsored Free Fishing Events in the Northwest Region
June 9, 2007
Thissel Pond, Alsea Hatchery, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No disabled access. Contact Matt Frank for more information 541-487-7240
Small Fry Pond, Promontory Park, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants must be 14 and under. Contact Tom Horning for more information 503-630-8798.
Fort Stevens State Park, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Disabled access available. Contact Richard Eagle for more information 503-861-0376.
Leaburg Hatchery, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants must be 13 and under; disabled access available. Contact Seth Morgan for more information 541-896-3294.
Willamette Hatchery, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants must be 10 and under. Contact Tami Edwards for information 541-782-2933.
Big Creek Reservoir #2, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact James Ray for more information 541-867-0300 *253. Participants 13 and under.
Salmon River Hatchery, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants must be 13 and under until noon. Open to the public from noon to 2:00 p.m. Contact David Welch 541-994-8606.
Foster Lake, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Participants must be 18 and under; disabled access available. For information contact KC Briggs 541-367-3492.
Champoeg State Heritage Area (Boat Dock), 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Disabled access available. Contact Carol Worral 503-678-1251 for more information.
Detroit Lake, Hover Campground, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Disabled access available. For information contact Greg Grenbemer 503-854-3522 *229.
Silverton Reservoir, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Disabled access available. Contact Ob Bergman 503-873-0405 or Chip O’Brien 503-873-8268 for information.
Walter Wirth Lake, Cascade Park, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Open to the public. Contact Karl Magnuson for information 503-362-1246.
Bonneville Hatchery, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants must be 12 and under; disabled access available. Contact Jennell Hoehne for information 971-673-6008.
Hebo Lake, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Disabled access available. Contact John Casteel for information 503-392-5119.
Nedonna Pond, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants must be 12 and under. For more information contact Joe Watkins 503-368-6828.
Trask River Hatchery, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Participants must be 12 and under until noon. Open to the public from noon to 3:30 p.m. Contact James Skaar 503-842-4090.
Rainbow Lake, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Open to the public. Contact Lisa Joyce for information, 503-519-4456.
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Other Free Fishing Weekend Fishing Opportunities in the Portland Area:
Benson Lake will be stocked by ODFW with 4,000 fish for Free Fishing Weekend. Benson Lake is in Benson Lake State Park, the exit before Multnomah Falls, off of I-84 going east.
Faraday Lake will receive about 3,000 rainbow trout for Free Fishing Weekend. The lake is two miles SE of Estacada, off Highway 224 on the Clackamas River.
Harriet Lake will receive about 5,000 ODFW hatchery rainbow trout for Free Fishing Weekend. Harriet Lake is on the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. Take U.S. Forest Service roads from Ripplebrook Ranger Station beyond Estacada.
Hartman Pond will be stocked by ODFW with 1,250 rainbow trout for Free Fishing Weekend. The pond is in the Columbia River Gorge, off the Benson Lake State Park exit going west.
Henry Hagg Lake will be stocked by ODFW with 6,000 fish for Free Fishing Weekend. Take Highway 47 south from Forest Grove and head west on the turn-off south of Dilley.
North Fork Reservoir will receive about 7,000 trout for Free Fishing Weekend. The reservoir is located seven miles south of Estacada off of Highway 224.
Roslyn Lake will receive 2,000 ODFW Hatchery rainbow trout for Free Fishing Weekend. The lake is two miles NE of Sandy on Dodge Park Road.
Sheridan Pond will receive about 1,350 trout for Free Fishing Weekend. Sheridan Pond is located just south of Sheridan. Take Exit 33 off Highway 18 and head south. The pond is in Sheridan Wetlands Park on the left side of the road.
Silver Creek Reservoir will be stocked by ODFW with 2,600 legal size fish and 200 larger trout prior to Free Fishing Weekend. Silver Creek Reservoir is located on Silver Creek 2.5 miles south of Silverton on Highway 214.
Small Fry Lake will receive 500 legal size trout for Free Fishing Weekend. Small Fry Lake is in Promontory Park on the upper Clackamas River.
Timothy Meadows will be stocked by ODFW with 3,000 rainbow trout for Free Fishing Weekend. Timothy Lake is about 80 miles east of Portland past Mt. Hood. From Highway 26, turn onto Skyline Road, also known as U.S. Forest Service Road 42.
West Salish Pond will receive about 1,500 trout for Free Fishing Weekend. West Salish Pond is located in Salish Ponds Wetlands Park on the north side of NE Glisan Street, just west of NE 207th in Fairview.
Additional information may also be found on ODFW's Web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/OSCRP/CRM/action_notes.html.
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