Big Fish Release Planned at Oregon’s Salmon River Hatchery
OutdoorHub 05.29.13
More than 1,000 trout weighing in at over one pound each will be released for the Free Fishing Weekend festivities at Salmon River Hatchery Saturday June 1-2.
The release will be one of the largest batches of big fish stocked in Oregon waters in conjunction with Free Fishing Weekend.
“We try to put a lot of big fish in our pond,” said David Welch, manager of the Salmon River Hatchery. “That may be one of the reasons this event is so popular.”
In addition to the more than 1,000 “pounders” topping 13 inches in length, the hatchery will be stocking its 200 ft. x 50 ft. visitor pond with as many as 40 trophy-class trout weighing 3-8 pounds apiece.
Kids ages 13 and under will get the first shot at these lunkers when the pond opens for a youth-only fishing event from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday. In addition to some nice fish, some lucky youngsters will also win prizes for the biggest, smallest and other fish contributed by local sponsors.
The event is co-sponsored by ODFW and the Lincoln City Parks and Recreation District. ODFW staff and volunteers will be present to hand out loaner fishing rods, reels, tackle to anglers who do not have their own gear.
After the youth fishing event concludes at noon, the pond will open to the general public for the rest of the weekend and on through the month of June. All fishing, crabbing and clamming license fees are waved statewide during Free Fishing Weekend.
For more information, contact David Welch, Salmon River Hatchery manager, at (541) 994-8606.
