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The ice has melted and anglers are bagging fish at Diamond Lake, just in time for Free Fishing Weekend, which takes place across Oregon this Saturday and Sunday.
Fishing, crabbing and clamming are free — licenses and tags do not apply this weekend — and many public events are geared to kids, with free loaner rods and reels and on-site instruction from fishing experts available.
However, anglers must adhere to bag limits, size and species restrictions and equipment limitations. Those who already possess a combined tag for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut are required to use it.
The following events take place in Douglas County on Saturday:
• Diamond Lake, which the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked Tuesday with an extra 43,000 hungry trout, will have free fishing available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A tournament will be held for adults, and kids can win prizes.
The ODFW figures about 50,000 trout remain from last year’s stockings. In addition to the holdovers from 2007, which should have packed on plenty of weight, about 6,800 one-pound trout were stocked Tuesday.
“The lake rebounded so well last year that we’re expecting an even better insect hatch, so we should be seeing fatter trout this summer,” said Laura Jackson, Umpqua District fisheries biologist for the ODFW.
Though snow still remains on the ground in the area, the U.S. Forest Service has opened 70 campsites around Diamond Lake. It has also opened the C-Loop boat ramp and the north and south shore boat ramps.
According to Diamond Lake Resort, the best fishing spots are in front of the resort and along the northeastern shoreline.
• At Herbert’s Pond, free fishing takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ODFW is stocking 500 legal-sized trout prior to the event. This event is for kids 16 and under, with bait supplies, food and drinks available.
• At Cooper Creek, free fishing takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fishing hole has it all: a kiddie pond for 2- to 8-year-olds; fly-tying and casting lessons; loaner rods and reels; a fish-cleaning station; hourly prize drawings; free hot dogs and all the Pepsi your little sportsman can consume.
The following events take place Sunday:
• At Lake Marie, free fishing takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids 14 and younger. However, registration is at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Rods and reels will be available and kids can enter a casting contest and also win a bounty for picking up litter. Adults will be charged a small fee for next year’s event, but the hot dogs and soda are free for the little sportsmen.
• At Rock Creek Hatchery, an event will be held for disabled children. Fishing equipment and bait will be provided, including a complimentary lunch for the family.
To reserve a spot, call Marc Garst at 496-3484.
Following the Free Fishing Weekend, the ODFW will stock 200,000 fingerlings and another 6,800 one-pound trout in Diamond Lake and 15,000 predacious trout in July.
The Forest Service expects to open Thielsen View Campground and the south end of Diamond Lake Campground on June 13.
Diamond Lake recreationists are urged to be careful to not re-introduce invasive tui chub or aquatic plants and animals, such as Quagga mussels and New Zealand mudsnails. The ODFW, the Forest Service and other state and federal agencies suggest cleaning swimming and fishing equipment — boots, waders, scuba gear, beach toys, boats and trailers — to be free of live fish, fish eggs, aquatic weeds, animals, and mud.
Thoroughly clean boats with a high-pressure washer and dry them before launching them into Diamond Lake. A portable boat washing station should be available this summer at Diamond Lake.
The trout harvest limit at Diamond Lake is five per day; no more than two daily limits can be in possession. The boat speed limit is 10 mph.
Information on boat cleaning, www.protectyourwaters.net.
Information on Free Fishing Weekend: www.dfw.state.or.us or 440-3353.
Fishing, crabbing and clamming are free — licenses and tags do not apply this weekend — and many public events are geared to kids, with free loaner rods and reels and on-site instruction from fishing experts available.
However, anglers must adhere to bag limits, size and species restrictions and equipment limitations. Those who already possess a combined tag for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut are required to use it.
The following events take place in Douglas County on Saturday:
• Diamond Lake, which the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked Tuesday with an extra 43,000 hungry trout, will have free fishing available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A tournament will be held for adults, and kids can win prizes.
The ODFW figures about 50,000 trout remain from last year’s stockings. In addition to the holdovers from 2007, which should have packed on plenty of weight, about 6,800 one-pound trout were stocked Tuesday.
“The lake rebounded so well last year that we’re expecting an even better insect hatch, so we should be seeing fatter trout this summer,” said Laura Jackson, Umpqua District fisheries biologist for the ODFW.
Though snow still remains on the ground in the area, the U.S. Forest Service has opened 70 campsites around Diamond Lake. It has also opened the C-Loop boat ramp and the north and south shore boat ramps.
According to Diamond Lake Resort, the best fishing spots are in front of the resort and along the northeastern shoreline.
• At Herbert’s Pond, free fishing takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ODFW is stocking 500 legal-sized trout prior to the event. This event is for kids 16 and under, with bait supplies, food and drinks available.
• At Cooper Creek, free fishing takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fishing hole has it all: a kiddie pond for 2- to 8-year-olds; fly-tying and casting lessons; loaner rods and reels; a fish-cleaning station; hourly prize drawings; free hot dogs and all the Pepsi your little sportsman can consume.
The following events take place Sunday:
• At Lake Marie, free fishing takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids 14 and younger. However, registration is at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Rods and reels will be available and kids can enter a casting contest and also win a bounty for picking up litter. Adults will be charged a small fee for next year’s event, but the hot dogs and soda are free for the little sportsmen.
• At Rock Creek Hatchery, an event will be held for disabled children. Fishing equipment and bait will be provided, including a complimentary lunch for the family.
To reserve a spot, call Marc Garst at 496-3484.
Following the Free Fishing Weekend, the ODFW will stock 200,000 fingerlings and another 6,800 one-pound trout in Diamond Lake and 15,000 predacious trout in July.
The Forest Service expects to open Thielsen View Campground and the south end of Diamond Lake Campground on June 13.
Diamond Lake recreationists are urged to be careful to not re-introduce invasive tui chub or aquatic plants and animals, such as Quagga mussels and New Zealand mudsnails. The ODFW, the Forest Service and other state and federal agencies suggest cleaning swimming and fishing equipment — boots, waders, scuba gear, beach toys, boats and trailers — to be free of live fish, fish eggs, aquatic weeds, animals, and mud.
Thoroughly clean boats with a high-pressure washer and dry them before launching them into Diamond Lake. A portable boat washing station should be available this summer at Diamond Lake.
The trout harvest limit at Diamond Lake is five per day; no more than two daily limits can be in possession. The boat speed limit is 10 mph.
Information on boat cleaning, www.protectyourwaters.net.
Information on Free Fishing Weekend: www.dfw.state.or.us or 440-3353.
