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-tos on everything from buying your gear to cooking your catch.
2025 free family fishing events
The event calendar will be posted here as soon as it's available.
These events will introduce kids, and their families and friends, to 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 offers free fishing events from April to early June. Kids 12 and younger don't need a license to participat.e but older kids and adults will.
2025 Free Fishing Weekend events
The event calendar will be posted here as soon as it's available.
These events will introduce kids, and their families and friends, to 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.
Neither parents nor kids need a fishing license to participate in events during the two-day Free Fishing Weekend in June.
DIY FISHING
If you can't attend a fishing event, it's easy enough to learn on your own. We've pulled together the where-to and how-to resources you need to put together your own DIY 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, then click on it in the table of contents to discover nearby fishing opportunities.
NORTHWEST ZONE
DIY FISHING
If you can’t attend a fishing event, it’s easy enough to learn on your own. We’ve pulled together the where-to and how-to resources you need to put together your own DIY fishing adventure.
HOW TO FISH
You know you want to go fishing, and maybe even when. Now you need some tips on how to do it. The How to fish for trout article and video series will walk you through everything you need to know – from what gear to buy, to how to cast a rod and land a fish, to how to clean and cook your fish. Many of these same tips will work for other species like bass and bluegill, too.
WHERE TO FISH
Easy Angling in the Northwest Zone
This guide features 18 great places in the NW Zone for families to fish. From a handful of ponds doting the forested slopes, to dozens of dune lakes— many stocked with plump rainbow trout, and some that grow their own largemouth bass, perch, crappie and brown bullhead.
Each site selected for this guide includes day use areas, campgrounds and/or other amenities making them perfect destinations for a family outing.
Visit Easy Angling in the Northwest Zone
Weekly trout stocking schedule
Each year we stock dozens of area lakes, ponds and reservoirs with legal-size rainbow trout. Using our interactive trout stocking schedule to search by date, location or zone, it’s easy to find a nearby places to catch fish.
Visit the weekly trout stocking schedule for the NW Zone
Trout stocking maps
Use these Google-based trout stocking maps in conjunction with the trout stocking schedule to help plan your next fishing trip.
The stocking schedule will show you when some place is being stocked. The stocking maps will show you how to get there. In addition to directions, you’ll find helpful information for each waterbody, including amenities (restrooms, picnic tables), bank access, boat ramps, parking, fish species available.
Visit the stocking map for the Northwest zones (NW & Willamette)
Weekly Recreation Report
Updated weekly by our local biologists, the weekly Recreation Report describes the current water and fishing conditions at dozens of popular fishing locations.
Visit the Recreation Report for the NW Zone
SOUTHWEST ZONE
DIY FISHING
If you can’t attend a fishing event, it’s easy enough to learn on your own. We’ve pulled together the where-to and how-to resources you need to put together your own DIY fishing adventure.
HOW TO FISH
You know you want to go fishing, and maybe even when. Now you need some tips on how to do it. The How to fish for trout article and video series will walk you through everything you need to know – from what gear to buy, to how to cast a rod and land a fish, to how to clean and cook your fish. Many of these same tips will work for other species like bass and bluegill, too.
WHERE TO FISH
Easy Angling in the Southwest Zone
This guide features 19 great places in the SW Zone for families to fish. Rainbow trout are stocked in the upper Rogue and in lakes nestled in settings as varied as fir forest and wind-swept dune. Big reservoirs provide fishing for trout and for thriving populations of largemouth bass, catfish, perch and crappie.
Each site selected for this guide includes day use areas, campgrounds and/or other amenities making them perfect destinations for a family outing.
Visit Easy Angling in the Southwest Zone
Weekly trout stocking schedule
Each year we stock dozens of area lakes, ponds and reservoirs with legal-size rainbow trout. Using our interactive trout stocking schedule to search by date, location or zone, it’s easy to find a nearby places to catch fish.
Visit the weekly trout stocking schedule for the SW Zone
Trout stocking maps
Use these Google-based trout stocking maps in conjunction with the trout stocking schedule to help plan your next fishing trip.
The stocking schedule will show you when some place is being stocked. The stocking maps will show you how to get there. In addition to directions, you’ll find helpful information for each waterbody, including, including amenities (restrooms, picnic tables), bank access, boat ramps, parking, fish species available.
Visit the stocking map for the SW Zone
Weekly Recreation Report
Updated weekly by our local biologists, the weekly Recreation Report describes the current water and fishing conditions at dozens of popular fishing locations.
Visit the Recreation Report for the Zone
WILLAMETTE ZONE
DIY FISHING
If you can’t attend a fishing event, it’s easy enough to learn on your own. We’ve pulled together the where-to and how-to resources you need to put together your own DIY fishing adventure.
HOW TO FISH
You know you want to go fishing, and maybe even when. Now you need some tips on how to do it. The How to fish for trout article and video series will walk you through everything you need to know – from what gear to buy, to how to cast a rod and land a fish, to how to clean and cook your fish. Many of these same tips will work for other species like bass and bluegill, too.
WHERE TO FISH
Easy Angling in the Willamette Zone
This guide features 16 great places in the Willamette Zone for families to fish. From picturesque mountain lakes to small neighbor ponds, this zone offers a variety of opportunities for trout, bass and bluegill.
Each site selected for this guide includes day use areas, campgrounds and/or other amenities making them perfect destinations for a family outing.
Visit Easy Angling in the Willamette Zone
Weekly trout stocking schedule
Each year we stock dozens of area lakes, ponds and reservoirs with legal-size rainbow trout. Using our interactive trout stocking schedule to search by date, location or zone, it’s easy to find a nearby places to catch fish.
Visit the weekly trout stocking schedule for the Willamette Zone
Trout stocking maps
Use these Google-based trout stocking maps in conjunction with the trout stocking schedule to help plan your next fishing trip.
The stocking schedule will show you when some place is being stocked. The stocking maps will show you how to get there. In addition to directions, you’ll find helpful information for each waterbody, including, including amenities (restrooms, picnic tables), bank access, boat ramps, parking, fish species available.
Visit the stocking map for the Northwest zones (NW & Willamette)
Weekly Recreation Report
Updated weekly by our local biologists, the weekly Recreation Report describes the current water and fishing conditions at dozens of popular fishing locations.
Visit the Recreation Report for the Willamette Zone
CENTRAL ZONE
DIY FISHING
If you can’t attend a fishing event, it’s easy enough to learn on your own. We’ve pulled together the where-to and how-to resources you need to put together your own DIY fishing adventure.
HOW TO FISH
You know you want to go fishing, and maybe even when. Now you need some tips on how to do it. The How to fish for trout article and video series will walk you through everything you need to know – from what gear to buy, to how to cast a rod and land a fish, to how to clean and cook your fish. Many of these same tips will work for other species like bass and bluegill, too.
WHERE TO FISH
Easy Angling in the Central Zone
This guide features 16 great places in the Central Zone for families to fish. You may know central Oregon as a popular vacation Mecca, but it also offers approachable fishing in its picturesque rivers, lake and reservoirs.
Each site selected for this guide includes day use areas, campgrounds and/or other amenities making them perfect destinations for a family outing.
Visit Easy Angling in the Central Zone
Weekly trout stocking schedule
Each year we stock dozens of area lakes, ponds and reservoirs with legal-size rainbow trout. Using our interactive trout stocking schedule to search by date, location or zone, it’s easy to find a nearby places to catch fish.
Visit the weekly trout stocking schedule for the Central Zone
Trout stocking maps
Use these Google-based trout stocking maps in conjunction with the trout stocking schedule to help plan your next fishing trip.
The stocking schedule will show you when some place is being stocked. The stocking maps will show you how to get there. In addition to directions, you’ll find helpful information for each waterbody, including, including amenities (restrooms, picnic tables), bank access, boat ramps, parking, fish species available.
Visit the stocking map for the High Desert zones (Central and SE)
Weekly Recreation Report
Updated weekly by our local biologists, the weekly Recreation Report describes the current water and fishing conditions at dozens of popular fishing locations.
Visit the Recreation Report for the Central Zone
SOUTHEAST ZONE
DIY FISHING
There are no Family Fishing is this zone but it’s easy enough to learn to fish on your own. We’ve pulled together the where-to and how-to resources you need to put together your own DIY fishing adventure.
HOW TO FISH
You know you want to go fishing, and maybe even when. Now you need some tips on how to do it. The How to fish for trout article and video series will walk you through everything you need to know – from what gear to buy, to how to cast a rod and land a fish, to how to clean and cook your fish. Many of these same tips will work for other species like bass and bluegill, too.
WHERE TO FISH
Easy Angling in the Southeast Zone
This guide features 15 great places in the SE Zone for families to fish. Wide open spaces and wild windy places characterize this zone. Nainbow trout live in its streams, including the Chewaucan River. And stocked rainbow and brown trout grow to trophy size in many of its lakes and reservoirs.
Each site selected for this guide includes day use areas, campgrounds and/or other amenities making them perfect destinations for a family outing.
Visit Easy Angling in the Southeast Zone
Weekly trout stocking schedule
Each year we stock dozens of area lakes, ponds and reservoirs with legal-size rainbow trout. Using our interactive trout stocking schedule to search by date, location or zone, it’s easy to find a nearby places to catch fish.
Visit the weekly trout stocking schedule for the SW Zone
Trout stocking maps
Use these Google-based trout stocking maps in conjunction with the trout stocking schedule to help plan your next fishing trip.
The stocking schedule will show you when some place is being stocked. The stocking maps will show you how to get there. In addition to directions, you’ll find helpful information for each waterbody, including, including amenities (restrooms, picnic tables), bank access, boat ramps, parking, fish species available.
Visit the stocking map for the High Desert zones (Central and SE)
Weekly Recreation Report
Updated weekly by our local biologists, the weekly Recreation Report describes the current water and fishing conditions at dozens of popular fishing locations.
Visit the Recreation Report for the SW Zone
NORTHEAST ZONE
DIY FISHING
If you can’t attend a fishing event, it’s easy enough to learn on your own. We’ve pulled together the where-to and how-to resources you need to put together your own DIY fishing adventure.
HOW TO FISH
You know you want to go fishing, and maybe even when. Now you need some tips on how to do it. The How to fish for trout article and video series will walk you through everything you need to know – from what gear to buy, to how to cast a rod and land a fish, to how to clean and cook your fish. Many of these same tips will work for other species like bass and bluegill, too.
WHERE TO FISH
Easy Angling in the Northeast Zone
This guide features 15 great places in the NE Zone for families to fish. From stocked ponds along the Columbia River, to lakes and reservoirs framed by the Blue and Wallowa mountains, to the John Day River and its world class bass fishing.
Each site selected for this guide includes day use areas, campgrounds and/or other amenities making them perfect destinations for a family outing.
Visit Easy Angling in the Northeast Zone
Weekly trout stocking schedule
Each year we stock dozens of area lakes, ponds and reservoirs with legal-size rainbow trout. Using our interactive trout stocking schedule to search by date, location or zone, it’s easy to find a nearby places to catch fish.
Visit the weekly trout stocking schedule for the NE Zone
Trout stocking maps
Use these Google-based trout stocking maps in conjunction with the trout stocking schedule to help plan your next fishing trip.
The stocking schedule will show you when some place is being stocked. The stocking maps will show you how to get there. In addition to directions, you’ll find helpful information for each waterbody, including, including amenities (restrooms, picnic tables), bank access, boat ramps, parking, fish species available.
Visit the stocking map for the NE Zone
Weekly Recreation Report
Updated weekly by our local biologists, the weekly Recreation Report describes the current water and fishing conditions at dozens of popular fishing locations.
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.