 |
Ramon Guel and his son Cade return from a successful morning of trout fishing at an ODFW family fishing event.
-Photo by Rick Swart/ODFW- |
October 6, 2015
CLACKAMAS, Ore. — Anglers looking for an opportunity to get out and enjoy some fall fishing will find it Saturday, Oct. 10 at St. Louis Ponds near Woodburn.
That’s when the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will roll out the latest free family fishing event at the popular fishing complex near Woodburn.
ODFW will stock the ponds with fresh rainbow trout and hand out loaner gear, tackle and bait to anglers while supplies last from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants who want to bring their own fishing gear are welcome to do so, and instruction will be available on site. Gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
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. Facilities include several accessible fishing platforms, a paved trail through some of the ponds in the complex, and other amenities.
“We’re planning a fun day of fishing at St. Louis Ponds,” said Jeff Fulop, youth fishing event coordinator for ODFW’s North Willamette Watershed. “Conditions have improved with the cooler weather and we’re going to get out and enjoy it.”
In addition to stocked trout, the ponds contain several species of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and sunfish.
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.dfw.state.or.us), 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.
To get to St. Louis Ponds 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.
### |