Free Fishing Weekend events planned

Free Fishing Weekend in Oregon is June 6-7, and to help people make the most of this opportunity a number of fishing events are planned for eastern Oregon.

During Free Fishing Weekend, fishing licenses, tags and endorsements (including Combined Angling Tag and Columbia River Basin Endorsement) are not required to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon.

To make it easier for beginners, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and its partners have teamed up to offer several organized fishing events 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:

Deschutes County

Fall River Hatchery, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information: Tim Foulk (541) 593-1510.

Klamath County

Lake of the Woods, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information: George Gregory (866) 201-4194.

Klamath Fish Hatchery, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information: Greg Lipsiea (541) 381-2278.

Wallowa County

Marr Pond, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information: Ron Harrod (541) 426-4467.

Umatilla County

Twin Ponds, 7 a.m. to noon. More information: Hugo Magana (541) 427-5305.

Cutsforth Pond, 8:30 a.m. to noon. More information: Bill Duke (541) 276-2344. Youth 14 and under.

Although no licenses or tags are required during the weekend, all other regulations apply including bag limit and size restrictions.

For those who prefer to explore on their own, there are several helpful resources on ODFW’s website http://dfw.state.or.us/

under the Fishing tab, including:

The Weekly Recreation Report

The 2014 Annual Fishing Guide

Trout stocking schedules and Google-based maps of stocked trout fisheries.

Free Fishing Weekend is always the first full weekend in June. But remember, it’s always free fishing for kids under 14 years old.

For a complete list of Free Fishing Weekend events, go to the ODFW Website.