Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Junction City Moose Lodge will host a free youth fishing derby at the Junction City Pond on Saturday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is part of ODFW’s Youth Angling Enhancement Program, designed to introduce young people to the fun of fishing.  The department and the Moose Lodge will provide rods, reels, tackle and bait for use by young anglers who do not have their own fishing equipment. 

In addition, ODFW staff and Moose Lodge volunteers will be on hand to help participants learn how to bait a hook, cast a rod and land the catch. 

“The annual fishing derby usually attracts over 200 young anglers many of whom are fishing for the first time,” said Steve Mamoyac, ODFW fish biologist.

In order to increase the fun factor, ODFW will stock the pond over 1,200 legal-sized trout for the event.

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

Junction City Pond is located next to Highway 99W, three miles south of Junction City.

The Youth Angling Enhancement Program was made possible, in part, through a partnership with the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation.  For information about the event at Junction City Pond, call ODFW fish biologists Steve Mamoyac at (541) 575-4186 ext. 249, or Karen Hans at (541) 757-4186. For a list of other YAEP events throughout the state go to www.dfw.state.or.us.

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