Free Fishing, Crabbing in Oregon This Weekend

Free Fishing Weekend also aligns with State Parks Day.

Mark your calendars now for Oregon’s free fishing weekend June 7-8. For those two days only, you won’t need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state. Photo Courtesy: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Mark your calendars now for Oregon’s free fishing weekend June 7-8. For those two days only, you won’t need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state.

Rick Hargrave, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife deputy administrator for information and education says “We want to make it easy for anglers to take a friend or family member out fishing for a day.”

Even though licenses and tags will not be required over the two days, all other regulations apply including bag limit and size restrictions. Those who already have a combined tag for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut are encouraged but not required to use it.

At most events, there will be free fishing equipment first-time anglers can use, and special events planned for children. Volunteers will be available to help, from baiting the hook to landing the catch. “Even if you’ve never baited a hook, we can show you how to fish,” Hargrave said.

There are hundreds of lakes and rivers, and hundreds of miles of coastline to explore. ODFW’s extensive website offers information about how and where to fish for trout, bass, steelhead and surfperch, to name a few. Anglers also will find:

Weekly updates of current fishing conditions in the Weekly Recreation Report.

The 2014 Annual Fishing Guide is ODFW’s most comprehensive look at fishing opportunities in Oregon.

Great spots to take the family fishing in Easy Angling Oregon.

Trout stocking schedules and Google-based maps of all stocking locations.

Hargrave added that in Oregon it’s always free fishing for kids under the age of 14.