Free Fishing Weekend events around Oregon’s North Coast

June 2, 2014

Tony Lai of McMinnville spends a morning with his children, Natalie and Ryan, fishing for trout during a recent Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife family fishing event. (Photo by Rick Swart/ODFW)

TILLAMOOK, Ore. – Free Fishing Weekend in Oregon is June 7-8, and a number of events are planned around Oregon’s North Coast to help people make the most of this opportunity.

During Free Fishing Weekend, fishing and shellfish licenses, tags and endorsements are not required anywhere in Oregon. To provide a little extra incentive to get out and join the fun, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and several of its partners are planning organized fishing activities on Saturday, June 7. At most of these events, fishing gear, bait and instruction will be provided. Some will even have special activities for the kids. Event locations, times and contact information are as follows:

• >Big Creek Reservoir, 9 a.m-2 p.m., Christine Clapp, 541-265-8306
• Clewox Lake at Honeman State Park, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., John Spangler, 541-902-1384
• Coffenbury Lake at Ft. Stevens State Park, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Dane Osis, 503-861-3170
• Nedona Pond, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Joe Watkins, 503-368-5348
• Salmon River Hatchery, 8 a.m.-noon, Michelle Viss, 541-994-8606
• Trask Hatchery, 8 .am.-3 p.m., James Skaar, 503-842-409

Though fishing licenses are not required all other regulations apply, including those pertaining to catch limits and size restrictions.

Free Fishing Weekend also coincides with State Parks Day, so if you’re going camping or hiking in an Oregon State Park this weekend, be sure and take a fishing rod along.

For those who prefer a little more solitude, there dozens of other lakes, ponds, streams and ocean waters around the North Coast to explore. Many are listed on ODFW’s website (www.odfw.com) under the Fishing tab, along with additional fishing information, including:

• The Weekly Recreation Report
• The 2014 Annual Fishing Guide
• Great spots to take the family fishing in Easy Angling Oregon.
• Trout stocking schedules and Google-based maps of stocked trout fisheries.

Free Fishing Weekend is always the first full weekend in June. But remember, it’s always free fishing for kids under 14 years old.

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Contact:
Rick Swart 971-673-6038