Take the bait! Free day-use at 17 state parks on Free Fishing Weekend, June 9-10

No license or tags needed to fish, crab or clam on any Oregon waters open to fishing

Casting contests, fishing derbies and fly casting demos are part of an Oregon tradition on Free Fishing Weekend.

This Saturday (June 9), Oregon State Parks and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) are c0-sponsoring  events to hook new anglers.  Visit the state parks events calendar for fishing activities planned at Champoeg, Jessie Honeyman, Detroit,  Joseph Stewart,  Wallowa Lake, Ontario & Fort Stevens state parks. For a list of events throughout the state, visit the ODFW website .  Remember that although the fishing is free, all other fishing regulations (pdf) apply.

Oregon State Parks also promotes Free Fishing Weekend by waiving day-use parking permit fees at 17 parks.

Fort Stevens
Nehalem Bay
Benson
Champoeg
Milo McIver
Dabney
Rooster Rock
Willamette Mission
Jessie Honeyman
Detroit
Jasper Point – Prineville
Winberry – Fall Creek Reservoir
Tou Velle
Cove Palisades
Smith Rock
Tumalo
Farewell Bend

Get hooked on Free Fishing Weekend, June 12-13

The Champoeg State Heritage Area docks on the Willamette River is a popular spot for Free Fishing Weekend events.

Park Manager Dennis Bradley is hooked on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Free Fishing Weekend. He enjoys seeing the excitement on the faces of kids who catch a fish, especially first-timers. 

Dennis manages Clyde Holliday State Park, one of 39 destinations for Free Fishing Weekend June 12-13. During what has become an annual Oregon tradition, ODFW allows fishing, crabbing and clamming without licenses and additional tags to encourage adults to take kids fishing. ODFW website  

“This is a great event for kids and families,” said Dennis. “We always look forward to supporting this event and helping introduce kids to the joys of fishing.”  

Clyde Holliday has a pond tailor-made for young children to catch their first fish. As at other locations, ODFW will supply fishing rods and bait. Local businesses and volunteers add strong support.  

Four other state parks help host the event. They are Champoeg State Heritage Area, 27 miles south of Portland; Jessie Honeyman State Park (Cleawox Lake) near Florence; Fort Stevens State Park (Coffenbury Lake) near Astoria; and William Tugman State Park (Eel Lake), eight miles south of Reedsport. See all the events and times  

Champoeg has long been a popular location for the event. Park Ranger Mike Niss points to the park’s courtesy boat dock on the Willamette River as the reason. The dock offers one of the most accessible public places to fish on the river.  

With equipment and expertise supplied by ODFW and support from volunteers through the park’s Junior Ranger program, Niss says the event offers family fun and teaches some life-long values and skills. “In the end, it’s more than just learning how to fish,” he said. “It’s a great chance to educate young people about the value of a healthy fishery to the river and to teach the basics of water safety.”   

OPRD also promotes Free Fishing Weekend by waiving day-use parking permit fees at 17 parks (below).  

Fort Stevens
Nehalem Bay
Benson
Champoeg
Milo McIver
Dabney
Rooster Rock
Willamette Mission Call (503) 393-1172 for current high-water information.
Jessie Honeyman
Detroit
Jasper Point – Prineville
Winberry – Fall Creek Reservoir
Tou Velle
Cove Palisades
Smith Rock
Tumalo
Farewell Bend