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April 13, 2015
CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a free family fishing event Saturday, April 18 at St. Louis Ponds, near Woodburn from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To increase the chance for anglers to catch a fish, ODFW will stock Ponds #1, #3 and #6 with a total of 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout, 200 one-pounders, and 75 trophy trout.
“This is a great opportunity for families to come out and enjoy a day of fishing at one of our most popular and accessible fishing holes,” said Jeff Fulop, youth fishing event coordinator for ODFW’s North Willamette Watershed.
Fulop noted that ODFW has made a number of improvements at the ponds over the past several years, including construction of a paved ADA accessible trail around one of the ponds as well as several ADA accessible fishing platforms.
In addition to stocked trout, the ponds contain several species of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and sunfish.
Participants who want to bring their own fishing gear are welcome to do so. However, loaner fishing rods and reels will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fishing tackle and bait will also be available. Experienced angling instructors will be on hand to answer questions and offer assistance.
Anglers ages 13 and under can fish for free while those 14-17 will require a juvenile angling license, which are available for $9 at ODFW’s website (www.odfw.com), offices and license agents. Adult anglers will need a regular fishing license. Licenses will not be sold on site the day of the event so people planning to participate should get their licenses ahead of time.
St. Louis Ponds is a 54-acre complex of seven ponds jointly owned and managed by ODFW and Marion County Parks. It is 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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