CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife invites you to a family fishing event on Saturday, April 16 at St. Louis Ponds near Woodburn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is not required.

The ponds will be stocked with rainbow trout shortly before the event. ODFW will provide equipment including rods, reels and bait for use on a first-come, first-served basis. Angling education instructors and volunteers will be present to answer questions and offer assistance.

Anglers ages 11 and under can fish for free, while those 12-17 will require a youth license, available for $10 at ODFW's website (myodfw.com) and license agents. Adult anglers will need a regular fishing license. Licenses will not be sold on-site the day of the event, so people planning to participate should get their licenses ahead of time.

St. Louis Ponds is a 54-acre complex of seven ponds jointly owned and managed by ODFW and Marion County Parks. ODFW has made a number of improvements at the ponds in recent years, including several ADA-compliant fishing platforms and a paved walkway. An automated entry gate was installed earlier this year, allowing the property to be open all year.

In addition to stocked trout, the ponds contain several species of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and sunfish.

St. Louis Ponds is located 13 miles north of Salem and west of Interstate 5. To get there from I-5, take the Woodburn exit and go east to Hwy 99E. At Hwy 99E, head south to Gervais Road. Go west on Gervais Road through the town of Gervais. The road eventually changes to St Louis Road. Continue west on St Louis Road as it crosses over I-5 to Tesch Road, at the railroad crossing. Go left on Tesch Road and follow the signs to the ponds.