ODFW plans free family fishing days around state

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife invites Oregon families to come fishing at one of 33 free Family Fishing events scheduled throughout the state this spring and summer.

The events are designed to show families how easy and fun fishing can be, said Shahab Farzanegan, ODFW angler education coordinator. ODFW provides loaner rods and reels, tackle, instruction and freshly stocked fish – everything a family needs for a successful fishing trip.

“These events are fantastic and I enjoy taking my kids and their friends and teaching them different techniques,” said one recent participant. “The best part about it is that the kids catch fish and want to go again.”

Times, dates and locations of all the Family Fishing Events are listed below and posted on the ODFW website. Click on the Outdoor Skills tab at the top of the page and select Angler Education from the menu.

Children under the age of 14 can fish for free, kids 14 to 17 and adults will need an Oregon fishing license in order to fish.

For families that can’t attend one of the scheduled events, ODFW offers several resources to help you go fishing on your own, including:

Easy Angling Oregon – 101 great places for families to fish in Oregon
Gearing Up – rod, reel and tackle recommendations
Trout Fishing in Oregon – how to fish for trout in rivers and lakes
Trout 365 – a web page dedicated to catching trout in Oregon throughout the year
And more…

Visit the ODFW website, click on the Fishing tab at the top of the page, select Where and How from the menu.

2015 ODFW Family Fishing Events

North Willamette

April 4, Canby, Canby Pond (youth only event), 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 11, Molalla, Shorty’s Pond, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 18, Gervais, St. Louis Ponds, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 25, Rainier, Trojan Pond, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 23, Sheridan, Sheridan Pond, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 30, Troutdale, Mt. Hood Pond (youth only event), 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oct. 10, Gervais, St. Louis Ponds, 9:30 to 2 p.m.

Oct. 17, Troutdale, Mt. Hood Pond (youth only event), 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

South Willamette

April 4, Cottage Grove, Row River Nature Park, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

May 3, Eugene, Alton Baker Canoe Canal, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

June 6, Eugene, Alton Baker Canoe Canal, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

North Coast

April 18, Hebo, Hebo Lake, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 2, Vernonia, Vernonia Pond, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mid-Coast

March 28, Lincoln City, Regatta Park on Devil’s Lake, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 25, Toledo, Olalla Reservoir, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 16, Waldport, Eckman Lake, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 6, Florence, Cleawox Lake, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 6, Newport, Big Creek Reservoir, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 12, Siletz, Lhuuke Illahee Fish Hatchery, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

South Coast

April 18, Coos Bay, Middle Empire Lake, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

June 6, Lakeside, Eel Lake in Tugman State Park, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

June 13, North Bend, Pony Village Mall, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

July 4, Coos Bay, Mingus Park, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 8&9, Charleston, Charleston Seafood Festival, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

High Desert

May 2, Mosier, Bikini Pond, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May 9, Dufur, Camp Baldwin, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May 16, Parkdale, Middle Fork Irrigation Pond, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May 16, Bend, Pine Nursery Pond, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Northeast

April 18, Hermiston, McNary Channel Ponds, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (youth only), family fishing begins at noon

May 16, Hermiston, McNary Channel Ponds, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (youth only), family fishing begins at noon

June 6, Hepner, Cutsforth Pond, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. (youth only), family fishing begins at noon

June 22, Pilot Rock, 5412 Pond on Umatilla National Forest, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

July 11, Tollgate, Jubilee Lake on Umatilla National Forest, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.