Free Fishing Weekend set for June 1st and 2nd

Photo by Shana Jewell. A popular flyfishing spot lies just downstream from the Goodpasture covered bridge.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is gearing up for one of the region’s most popular outdoor activities – Free Fishing Weekend, which will take place this year on June 1st and 2nd. On these two days, ODFW will waive all fees associated with recreational fishing, clamming and crabbing throughout the state.

It’s all about helping people discover the joy of fishing and the many great outdoor locations where this activity takes place.

This year outdoor enthusiasts will have even more reason to get out and explore because Free Fishing Weekend will coincide with the Oregon Parks Department’s “All Camping Day” which will happen on Saturday, June 1st, when admission to all state parks will be free.

“Some of the best fishing in Oregon takes place within our state parks,” said David Lane, acting deputy administrator of the ODFW’s Information and Education Division. “By aligning these two events, we are making it even easier for folks to get out and find some great fishing holes.”

“We have a lot of great places to go fishing and Free Fishing Weekend is a good time to get out and explore some of these opportunities,” said Jeff Fulop, Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s North Willamette Watershed.

“This is a great opportunity for new anglers to explore some great fishing right in their own back yard,” said Shannon Richardson, ODFW biologist in Springfield.

Local Free Fishing Weekend fishing opportunities include Blue River above the reservoir, which will be stocked with 1,500 legal-sized and 250 larger trout for Free Fishing Weekend. The Blue River Reservoir will be stocked with 3,750 legal-sized rainbow trout. Further upstream, Carmen Reservoir is scheduled to receive 2,500 legal-sized and 500 larger trout.

Leaburg Lake will receive 2,300 trout for Free Fishing Weekend. The river above the lake will receive 1,250 trout while the area downstream from the dam will be planted with 6,000 trout.