Take the family fishing
Attend an ODFW family fishing event or DIY
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 families to learn how to fish together 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, check fishing regulation updates
Event leads are currently working on securing event dates & locations - schedule is updated weekly.
Date | Time | Location | Nearest City | Event Lead | Partner Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28 | 9am-2pm | Canby Pond Map | Canby | Buddy Phipps - buddy.r.phibbs@odfw.oregon.gov | Association of Northwest Steelheaders |
| April 25 | 9am-2pm | Trojan Lake Map | Prescott | Buddy Phipps - buddy.r.phibbs@odfw.oregon.gov | Association of Northwest Steelheaders |
| May 30 | 9am-2pm | West Salish Pond Map | Fairview | Buddy Phipps - buddy.r.phibbs@odfw.oregon.gov | Association of Northwest Steelheaders |
ODFW offers 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 WeekendChoose to venture out on your own or attend one of the many free fishing weekend events listed below.
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. Event leads are currently working on securing locations - schedule coming soon.
Neither parents nor kids need a fishing license to participate in events during the two-day Free Fishing Weekends. *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.
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.
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.