Fishing opportunities just for youth and disabled anglers

Here at ODFW, we believe Everyone Belongs Outdoors—and the sooner, the better! That's why we offer so many special fishing events for kids and their families. We also set aside a few fishing locations just for youth and disabled anglers that are stocked regularly with hatchery trout, check the trout stocking schedule for details on stocking.

We also work with many partners to help everyone access fishing locations. In recent years, ODFW has committed substantial dollars to improving ADA access at fishing sites, thanks in large part to the Recreation and Enhancement Program. For more ADA accessible fishing locations, visit https://myodfw.com/articles/disabled-angler-access-map

The areas listed below are set aside just for youth and/or disabled anglers. All other fishing regulations apply at these locations. Regulations and bag limits are listed below double check regulation before fishing. Check the current year Sport Fishing Regulations but also the Regulation Updates page for the zone you are fishing, especially for salmon and steelhead fishing as regulations are often set during the year.

Licensing requirements/definitions:

Youth: Anglers ages 17 and younger. Ages 12-17 need a youth license and any appropriate tags (Combined Angling Tag for salmon/steelhead/sturgeon/halibut, Columbia River Basin Endorsement). While parents/adult can help youth at these locations, only youth should be fishing (e.g. adults should not be using their own rod).

Anglers with Disabilities: Anglers using these locations need to have an Oregon Hunting and Fishing Disabilities Permit. Fill out this form to obtain this permit. Anglers with the permit can also from an anchored boat, or other floating device, in places where fishing from a boat is prohibited by ODFW and receive assistance fishing from another person.

Disabled anglers need a fishing license and any appropriate tags (Combined Angling Tag to fish for salmon/steelhead/sturgeon/halibut, Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation for salmon or steelhead fishing in some areas). Disabled Veterans receive a free Combination License.

Find many more locations accessible to disabled anglers at https://myodfw.com/articles/disabled-angler-access-map

Fishing skills a little rusty? Not sure you're ready to take the kids fishing? At ODFW's free Family Fishing Events the whole family can fish together -- a chance to learn new skills or remember old ones.

Family fishing events

The Family Fishing Events Program offers dozens of free Family Fishing Events throughout the state, usually in spring and early summer. At these events ODFW staff and volunteers will be there to show you everything you need to know to go fishing -- from how to bait the hook, cast the rod and reel in fish. We'll even have rods, reels and tackle for you to use for the day. In addition, event locations are liberally stocked with rainbow trout so there will be plenty of fish to catch. The calendar of Family Fishing events is posted in April or May.

Youth and disabled angler-only fishing ponds

Youth-only ponds are open to youngsters ages 17 and under as well as persons with disabilities who possess a current Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License.

Northwest Zone

Three Rivers (Hebo area)

Kids can fish for hatchery spring Chinook and hatchery summer steelhead as they return to Cedar Creek Hatchery. From June 1- July 15, it's youth-only fishing from the Cedar Creek Hatchery deadline to a marker located downstream of Gauldy Mtn. Road Bridge.

Regulations: No angling from a floating device. Anti-snagging regs in effect, leader length must be between 18-36 inches and only one single point hook 3/8 inch gap or less.

Bag limit: Two salmon or steelhead per day.

Getting there: Access Three Rivers from the Cedar Creek Hatchery located at 33465 Hwy. 22 in Hebo (actually about 1.5 miles east of Hebo).

Amenities: Restroom, parking at the hatchery.

Southwest Zone 

Isthmus Slough (Coos Bay)

Isthmus Slough is a popular place to fish for fall Chinook salmon in Coos Bay. The area from Milepost 3 on Hwy 42 upstream to Green Acres Road (about 600 yards) is set aside just for youth and disabled anglers.

Regulations: Anti snagging gear restriction, leader length must be between 18-36 inches.

Bag limit: Open all year for hatchery Chinook salmon. Check regs page for wild Chinook season and bag limits set annually.

Amenities: There is a primitive one lane boat launch 150 yards past the tidegate. There are currently no other amenities on site but there is a possibility for a fishing platform in the near future.

Getting there: Turn off Hwy 42 onto Green Acres Road. There is a wide spot to park about 200 yards shortly after you cross the railroad tracks.

Willamette Zone

Canby Pond (Canby Community Park)

This one-acre pond near the Molalla River is typically stocked with trout during the spring and fall. Warmwater fish (largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill) are also present in the pond. Restricted to youth and anglers with disabilities all year long.

Regulations: Open for trout and warmwater fish all year for youth or anglers with disabilities only.

Bag limit: 5 trout/day. 5 bass/day, no limit on other warmwater fish.

Amenities: Picnic facilities, restrooms, barbecue pits.

Getting there: 1348 S Berg Parkway, Canby. Travel south from Hwy 99E.

Small Fry Lake (Estacada)

With plenty of stocked trout and easy access from Portland, this one-acre lake within Promontory Park is a great family fishing destination (kids can fish in the small lake, adults can fish in the reservoir). The park is located above the North Fork Reservoir of the Clackamas River and managed by PGE. Trout are stocked from early summer till mid-September.

Regulations: Open all year for trout fishing for youth anglers only (e.g. not open to anglers with disabilities). Lake is not stocked all year.

Bag limit: 2 trout/day (no minimum length)

Amenities: Campground, nature play area, restrooms, picnic areas, boat launches and rentals, fishing docks and fish cleaning stations.

Getting there: Promontory Park is located at 40600 E. Highway 224, Estacada which is 7 miles east of town.

Mt Hood Pond (Gresham)

This five-acre pond is located on the Mt. Hood Community College Campus in Gresham. It's stocked with hatchery trout  from early spring through summer, thanks in part to the students in the Fisheries Technology Program at the college.

Regulations: Open all year but open to youth and anglers with disabilities only from April 1-Aug. 31.

Bag limit: 5 trout/day

Central Zone

Jefferson County Pond (Madras)

Located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, this fishing pond is stocked with trout in spring and contains warmwater fish (largemouth bass and bluegill). Biking and pedestrian trails provide easy access from the fairgrounds to the pond as well as to the Madras bike and skate park.

Regulations: Open all year to youth and angler with disabilities only.

Bag limit: 2 fish/day

Amenities: picnic tables, benches, fishing pier, and possibly a porta-potty

Getting there: Located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 430 SW Fairgrounds Road, Madras. The pond is northwest of the fairgrounds with the access road on the west side of the fairgrounds off of SW Fairgrounds Road.

Prineville Youth Pond (Prineville)

Located near Crook County Fairgrounds, this small, one-acre pond was built in 2009 to provide a convenient fishing opportunity for local kids. The pond is stocked with trout in spring and early fall. Warmwater fish (largemouth bass) are also present.

Regulations: Open all year to youth anglers only

Bag limit: 2 fish/day

Amenities: Rimrock Park is nearby and there is a walking path from the park on Main Street crossing the Crooked River with fishing access to the pond.

Getting there: Located at 1151 S Main Street in Prineville. Park in the parking lot and follow the bike path around the baseball field. Continue straight on the path crossing the Crooked River via the iron bridge. The pond will be at the end of the path.

Shevlin Pond (Bend)

A half-acre pond on the east side of Shevlin Park Road, located among aspen trees in beautiful Shevlin Park in Bend. The pond is typically stocked with trout in spring and early summer.

Regulations: Open all year to youth and disabled anglers only

Bag limit: 2 fish/day

Amenities: Located in Shevlin Pond in Bend. Restrooms and picnic tables available. The park has many mountain bike and hiking trails.

Getting there: Shevlin Park is located at 18920 Northwest Shevlin Park Road in Bend, the fishing pond is on the east side of the road near Aspen Hall.

Fireman's Pond (Redmond)

A 3.5 acre pond on the east side of Redmond, near the airport. The pond is stocked with trout each May by the Redmond Fire Department as part of a kid's fishing event. The pond also contains populations of warmwater fish including largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and brown bullhead.

Regulations: Open all year to youth 13 and under and disabled anglers only

Bag limit: 5 trout/day

Amenities: Horseshoe pits, paved parking, picnic tables, restrooms (portable toilets through winter), and walking path.

Getting there: Fireman's Pond is located at 1100 SW Lake Ct, off of SE Lake Road between Hwy 126 and SE Veterans Way

Metolius Pond (Camp Sherman)

On the grounds of the old Metolius Hatchery, this pond is stocked with trout from nearby Wizard Falls hatchery. It provides a chance for kids and disabled anglers to catch trout in an area with no other stocked ponds near to the very challenging Metolius River (with is catch and release fly-fishing only). The pond is located in a very scenic area near Spring Creek and its spawning kokanee and redband trout, with views of Black Butte.

Regulations: Open to fishing May 1-Oct. 31 for youth and disabled anglers only.

Bag limit: 2 fish/day

Amenities: ADA parking, ADA path, vault toilet.

Getting there: From Sisters, drive 9 miles NW on US-20/OR 126 and turn Right (look for the Camp Sherman / Metolius River Recreation Area sign). Veer left at fork and head to Camp Sherman (2.5 mi). Turn right onto Old Fish Hatchery Road (gravel road). Go to end of road to parking area.

Statewide

In addition to youth and disabled angler only ponds, ODFW has identified a host of family-friendly fishing locations. These are places that have simple regulations, are regularly stocked with trout, offer good bank access and creature comforts (restrooms, picnic tables, etc.), and are convenient to major towns or cities. Check out the Easy Angling Oregon article series for a list of these places.

Tips to consider when taking kids fishing

• Make it an adventure!
  Depending on their age, allow time and give permission for wading in the water, skipping stones, catching frogs or some other form of free play. This is not time wasted; it’s an investment in the future by creating a fun first experience.
• Use simple tackle.
  Spincasting tackle is best for teaching children to fish.
• Use simple baits.
  Such as worms or PowerBait with bobbers or sinkers. It’s fun, easier than lure fishing, and lets kids explore the surroundings while waiting for bites.
• Be prepared to teach.
  For older kids, help don't do. Guide them as they bait their own hooks or cast their own rod. For younger children you'll need to be prepared to tie the knots, bait the hooks, make the casts, and take the fish off of the hook. If the kids want to participate, let them. Be sure to let them reel in the fish – that’s the fun part! Don’t be critical of their casting skill, knot tying ability or reluctance to handle bait or fish.
• Be safe.
  If the children are likely to wade or play in the water, we strongly encourage them to wear a Personal Flotation Device. If you are fishing from a boat, you must have a PFD for each person on board, and children 12 and under must wear them at all times while underway.
• Have fun!
  The number, kind and size of fish caught is not as important as spending time with a child and helping him or her learn a sport they will enjoy for their entire lives.