WALDPORT – Cast a line and catch a fish at the 27th annual family fishing event and carnival at Eckman Lake from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16.
Eckman Lake is located 2½ miles east of Waldport on Highway 34. The family fishing area will be set up at Nelson State Recreation Area across from the Waldport First Baptist Church parking lot. The event is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and the church.
Some 1,400 rainbow trout and 50 trophy trout will be released into an enclosure where youth 17 and younger will be provided with free fishing gear and instruction on how to fish. Each participant will be allowed a two trout limit from the enclosure. Kids can also learn to make their own fishing lures, practice casting with a backyard game and learn about fish anatomy while volunteers from Angell Job Corps clean their catch.
No pre-registration is required for the event but there is limited space on the dock so participants sometimes have to wait before fishing the enclosure. Anglers 11 years old and younger do not need a license, but those age 12 to 17 will need a youth license. They will not be sold at the event but can be purchased for $10 at any Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife licensing agent or online.
A carnival with a bouncy house, obstacle course, target practice games and other fun activities, along with free hot dogs, drinks and cotton candy will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. across Highway 34 at First Baptist Church.
This is a great opportunity for all children and their families. Also know that many members of Longview Hills Fishing Club (myself included) will also be at attendance at this event volunteering their efforts to assist these children and families. Also know that they’ll be an additional fishing opportunity with ODFW on June 6 at Lake Olalla Reservoir, so you can make plans for that event as well.