ODFW to host youth fishing event at St. Louis Ponds

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a free youth fishing event Saturday, Sept. 25 at St. Louis Ponds near Woodburn.

The free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and ODFW staff and volunteer instructors will be available to assist youngsters who want to learn how to fish. The department will also provide equipment including rods, reels and bait to any youngster who does not have their own gear.

“This is a great opportunity for kids to get out and enjoy a day at one of the Willamette Valley’s premier trout fishing sites,” said Todd Alsbury, fish biologist for ODFW’s North Willamette Watershed District.

St. Louis Ponds is a 54-acre complex of seven ponds owned and managed by ODFW. The complex was designed specifically as a recreational fishing venue. The department will stock the ponds with more than 1,500 rainbow trout, including 500 larger fish in the half- to one-pound range.

“These larger fish should provide plenty of excitement for any youngster lucky enough to catch one,” said Alsbury.

In addition to stocked trout, the ponds contain several species of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and sunfish.

“The diversity of species available at St. Louis Ponds is part of what makes it such a fun place to fish,” said Alsbury, who noted that in the past several huge catfish have been pulled from its waters.

While St. Louis Ponds is open to anglers of all ages, ODFW asks that adults leave the fishing to the kids for a few days leading up to and including this event.

Under Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, anglers ages 13 and under can fish for free while those 14-17 will need to have a juvenile angling license, which are available for $9 at ODFW field offices and license outlets.

The ponds are located 13 miles north of Salem and west of Interstate 5. To get to there from I-5, take the Woodburn exit. Then go east to Hwy. 99E. At Hwy. 99E, head south to Gervais Road. Go west on Gervais Road through the town of Gervais. The road eventually changes to St Louis Road. Continue west on St Louis Road as it crosses over I-5 to Tesch Road, at the railroad crossing. Go left on Tesch Road and follow the signs to the ponds.

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