Fishing: Create a Family Holiday Tradition

Whether you’re after trout, salmon, steelhead (like this one from the lower Deschutes) or crab, you can fish for them for free on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26
Photo Credit: Ken Loffink

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
11-17-2016
Website

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife encourages Oregonians to start a new family tradition during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend – take the family fishing.

The price will be right. On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26, fishing, crabbing and clamming in Oregon will be free. That means no licenses, tags or endorsements are needed on those days. (Though all other fishing regulations apply.)

* Desperate to get the kids out the house and somewhere outside? Take them fishing – it’s easier than you think. Check out the ODFW website to help get started.

* Stumped for a way to entertain out-of-state visitors? Take them crabbing – the free fishing weekend applies to them, too.

* Longing for a brief escape from all of the football? Take yourself fishing – and maybe bring home fresh trout, because those turkey leftovers won’t last forever.

“Getting outside fishing and enjoying Oregon’s natural areas is a great way to spend quality family time over the holidays,” said Rick Hargrave, ODFW spokesperson.

While the weather can be challenging at Thanksgiving, fall can be a great time to go trout fishing: many ponds and lakes have been stocked this fall and fish are feeding hungrily for the winter. In addition, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is waiving day use fees at state parks (Friday only), some of which include great fishing opportunities.

“We’re hoping anglers have so much fun and success at this free fishing weekend, they’ll want to participate in a second free fishing weekend scheduled for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1,” Hargrave said.

The additional free fishing weekends were authorized by the 2015 Oregon State Legislature as a way of introducing new anglers to the sport.

For more help deciding on your holiday fishing destination, check out the ODFW Rec Report for the latest conditions.





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OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Tuesday, November 8th, 2016

Alsea River: Alsea River Fishing Report
Kilchis River: Kilchis River Fishing Report
Nestucca River: Nestucca River and Three Rivers Fishing Report
Salmon River: Salmon River Fishing Report
Siletz River: Siletz River Fishing Report
Siuslaw River: Siuslaw River Fishing Report
Tillamook Bay: Tillamook Bay Fishing Report
Trask River: Trask River Fishing Report
Wilson River: Wilson River Fishing Report
Yaquina River: Yaquina River Fishing Report
Applegate Reservoir: Applegate Reservoir Fishing Report
Applegate River: Applegate River Fishing Report
Arizona Pond: Arizona Pond Fishing Report
Ben Irving Reservoir: Ben Irving Reservoir Fishing Report
Chetco River: Chetco River Fishing Report
Coos River: Coos River Basin Fishing Report
Coquille River: Coquille River Basin Fishing Report
Diamond Lake: Diamond Lake Fishing Report
Elk River: Elk River Fishing Report
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant Reservoir Fishing Report
Expo Pond: Expo Pond Fishing Report
Fish Lake : Fish Lake Fishing Report
Floras Lake: Floras Lake Fishing Report
Galesville Reservoir: Galesville Reservoir Fishing Report
Hemlock Lake: Hemlock Lake Fishing Report
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie Reservoir Fishing Report
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt Lake Fishing Report
Illinois River: Illinois River Fishing Report
Lake Marie: Lake Marie Fishing Report
Lake Selmac: Lake Selmac Fishing Report
Lemolo Lake: Lemolo Lake Fishing Report
Smith River: Smith River Fishing Report
Tenmile Lakes: Tenmile Basin Fishing Report
Willow Lake: Willow Lake Fishing Report