Youth anglers are invited to Canby Pond on Saturday, April 7 for the first of 30 free family fishing events that will take place at locations across Oregon in 2018, compliments of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Outdoor Program.

This free event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To bolster the odds of catching fish, ODFW will release hundreds of rainbow trout into the pond for the event. In addition, ODFW staff and volunteer instructors will be on location to set people up with rods, reels, tackle, and bait. In addition to stocked trout, the pond contains resident largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.

“We want to make this experience as fun and easy as possible by providing participants everything they need be successful,” said Jeff Fulop, ODFW fishing event coordinator.

Canby Pond is designated under Oregon fishing regulations as a youth-only and angler with disabilities fishing venue. As such, it is restricted to youngsters ages 17 and under as well as persons in possession of a valid Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License. Under the 2018 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, youngsters do not need a fishing license until the age of 12. Those ages 12-17 must have a youth license in possession, and these can be purchased for $10 at any ODFW field office, license agent or online at myodfw.com. Licenses will not be issued at the event and must be purchased ahead of time.

Canby Pond is a one-acre pond located at Canby Community Park in the southwest portion of Canby. Access the park by traveling south from Hwy. 99E on SW Berg Parkway.

Canby Pond is one of 350 water bodies in Oregon that ODFW regularly stocks with hatchery trout. Persons who are unable to participate in the Canby youth fishing event can explore many other fishing opportunities, stocking schedules and locations at ODFW’s website, myodfw.com under the Fishing tab.