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April 22, 2016
EUGENE, Ore. – Families interested in spending an enjoyable day outdoors with a fishing pole in their hands may want to put the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Family Fishing Event at Alton Baker Canoe Canal on their calendar for Sunday, May 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A feature of the ODFW Outdoors Program, this free event is designed to introduce kids and their families to fishing. To improve everybody’s chances of catching fish, ODFW will release 1,300 rainbow trout the day of the event. Most fish will be 8-10” long, with some reaching 14” or more. ODFW will provide loaner rods, reels, tackle and bait free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. People are welcome to bring their personal fishing gear if they prefer.
Alton Baker Canoe Canal is located within Alton Baker Park, one of the most popular and multi-functional parks in Eugene. The park is located on the north bank of the Willamette River just east of Ferry Street Bridge and Coburg Road. It is accessible by foot or bike from either side of the river via the River Bank Trails. Access by car is via the Club Road underpass off Coburg Road or from Autzen Stadium off MLK/Centennial.
ODFW’s free fishing event will take place about 250 yards upstream of the bridge over the canal at the park entrance.
The event is open to the public, and no pre-registration is required. Anglers 11 years old and younger do not need a fishing license. Anglers 12-17 years of age will need a youth license, which can be purchased for $10 at any ODFW license agent, ODFW office or on-line at ODFW’s website. Everybody else must have an adult fishing license. Licenses will not be sold at the event so individuals planning to participate should obtain them ahead of time.
Alton Baker Canoe Canal is one of more than 350 water bodies in Oregon that ODFW regularly stocks with trout. Persons interested in fishing can explore many other opportunities by perusing ODFW’s stocking schedules, maps, guides and other resources at ODFW’s website, located at www.odfw.com.com under the “Fishing” tab.
To talk to a biologist about the free fishing event or other fishing opportunities, seasons or regulations in the Eugene area, feel free to call ODFW’s Springfield office at (541) 726-3515.
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