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June 1, 2015
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Zane Nilssen with his first fish, a rainbow trout that he caught at an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife free fishing event. Everybody fishes free June 6-7 during Free Fishing Weekend, when ODFW waives all recreational fishing, clamming and crabbing fees to encourage people to get out and try their hand at these activities. Click image to enlarge.
-ODFW photo by Rick Swart- |
CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Free Fishing Weekend in Oregon is June 6-7, and a number of events are planned around the Willamette Valley to help people make the most of this opportunity.
During Free Fishing Weekend, fishing 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 6. 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:
- Alton Baker Canal, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Shannon Richardson, 541-726-3515
- Benson State Recreation Area, 9 a.m.-noon, Dorothy Brown-Kwaiser, 503-695-2261
- Champoeg State Park, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Daniel Klug, 503-551-7808
- Detroit Flats, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Issac Morris, 503-854-3522
- Henry Hagg Lake, 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (June 6 and 7), Don Clark 503-981-0476
- Small Fry Lake, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., U.S. Forest Service
- Roaring River Hatchery, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Luke Allen, kids 12 and under, 503-394-2496
- Silverton Reservoir, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Dawn Olson, 503-873-2681; Skip Bouskill, 503-873-7269
- St. Louis Ponds, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Jeff Fulop, 971-673-6034
- Thissel Pond, 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Matt Frank, 541-487-7240
- Willamette Fish Hatchery, 9 a.m.-noon, Tami Edmunds, kids 10 and under, 541-782-2933
In addition to these locations, many other lakes, ponds and streams in the region will be stocked with trout, including the following: Estacada Lake (2,000), Faraday Lake (2,000), Harriet Lake (5,000), Hartman Pond (1,250), Huddleston Pond (125), North Fork Reservoir (7,500), Olallie Lake (2,800), Rainbow Lake (500) Sheridan Pond (500) Timothy Lake (5,500), Trillium Lake (4,500), South Fork Yamhill River (2,000), Blue River (1,750), Blue River Reservoir (3,750), Breitenbush River (1,800), Carmen Reservoir (3,000), EE Wilson Pond (850), Fall Creek (1,750), Junction City Pond (1,000), Leaburg Lake (2,200) McKenzie River above Leaburg Dam (1,250) Salmon Creek (3,250), North Fork Santiam River (3,000), Walter Wirth Lake, 2,250).
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 are dozens of other lakes, ponds and streams around the Willamette Valley to explore. Many are listed on ODFW’s website (www.odfw.com) under the Fishing tab, along with additional fishing information, including:
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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