Family fishing events & Free Fishing Weekends
We make it easy to take your family fishing – with free fishing events, recommended family-friendly fishing locations, and how-to's on everything from picking out gear to cooking your catch.
2026 Family Fishing Events
Kids, families and friends learn the fun of fishing. At each event ODFW staff and volunteers will provide equipment, and teach new anglers how to rig their line, cast a rod, land a fish and identify their catch. This is a great opportunity for people to learn how to fish and spend time in the outdoors. ODFW partners with several groups to offer family fishing events in spring and early summer throughout the state. A fishing license is required to participate in family fishing events Purchase angling license here
Date | Time | Location | Nearest Town | Event Lead | Partner Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 28 | 9am-2pm | Canby Pond Map | Canby | Buddy Phipps - buddy.r.phibbs@odfw.oregon.gov | Association of Northwest Steelheaders |
| Saturday, April 4 | 9am-1pm | Row River Nature Park Pond Map | Cottage Grove | Martyne Reesman - Martyne.j.reesman@odfw.oregon.gov | |
| Monday, April 13 | 9:30am-2pm | EE Wilson Pond Map | Adair Village | Reed Fischer - Reed.b.fischer@odfw.oregon.gov | |
| Saturday, April 18 | 9am-2pm | Hebo Lake Map | Hebo | Kyle Wilson - Kyle.d.wilson@odfw.oregon.gov | |
| Saturday, April 25 | 9am-2pm | Trojan Lake Map | Prescott | Buddy Phipps - buddy.r.phibbs@odfw.oregon.gov | Association of Northwest Steelheaders |
| Saturday, May 2 | 9am-2pm | Vernonia Lake Map | Vernonia | Kyle Wilson - Kyle.d.wilson@odfw.oregon.gov | |
| Saturday, May 16 | 8:30am-2pm | Eckman Lake Map | Waldport | Christine Clapp - christine.m.clapp@odfw.oregon.gov | |
| Saturday, May 16 | 7:00 am | Timber Linn Lake Map | Albany | Dean Sweeny - info@sweeneypromotions.com | |
| Saturday, May 30 | 9am-2pm | West Salish Pond Map | Fairview | Buddy Phipps - buddy.r.phibbs@odfw.oregon.gov | Association of Northwest Steelheaders |
ODFW offers annual free fishing days for all:
February 14 - 15 (Saturday & Sunday), President's Day Weekend
June 6 - 7 (Saturday & Sunday)
November 27-28 (Friday & Saturday), Thanksgiving Weekend*Requirements: Area closures, bag limits and all other regulations still apply. Be sure to check both the permanent sportfishing regulations and for any in-season regulation updates, especially if you are fishing for salmon or steelhead as many regulations are set in-season.
2026 Free Fishing Weekend events
At each event ODFW staff and volunteers will provide equipment, and teach new anglers how to rig their line, cast a rod, land a fish and identify their catch. Take this opportunity to learn the basics of fishing, you may discover a new passion for the outdoors. Neither parents nor kids need a fishing license to participate in events during the two-day Free Fishing Weekends.
Date | Time | Location | Nearby Town | Event Lead | Partner Group |
| Saturday, June 6 | 9am-12pm | Twin Ponds Map | Ukiah | Stephan Charette - Stephan.r.charette@odfw.oregon.gov | |
| Saturday, June 6 | 8am-3pm | Silverton Marine Park, Silverton Reservoir Map | Silverton | Ron Bell - skyhut@gmail.com | Silverton Lions Club & Silverton Kiwanis Club |
| Saturday, June 6 | 9am-2pm | Cleawox Lake Map | Florence | Christine Clapp - Christine.m.clapp@odfw.oregon.gov | |
| Saturday, June 6 | 7am-3pm | Henry Hagg Lake Map | Gaston | Wilbert Warren - wil@imhookedinc.org | I'm Hooked Inc |
| Saturday, June 6 | 9am-1pm | Alton Baker Park Map | Eugene | Martyne Reesman - Martyne.j.reesman@odfw.oregon.gov |
Find your next fishing adventure: Oregon fishing zones
The Oregon Sport Fishing regulations are organized by zone and that's also how our where-to-fish information is organized. So find your zone to discover nearby fishing opportunities.
If you choose to venture out on your own, be sure to check both the permanent sportfishing regulations and for any in-season regulation updates, especially if you are fishing for salmon or steelhead as many regulations are set in-season.
Check out the Latest Recreation Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.