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Free fishing this weekend, but Sunnyside may not be place to go

Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, but Sunnyside Pond is probably not a preferred destination at this point.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will not be stocking trout this week into Sunnyside Pond, because water temperatures in the pond are too warm for trout and recently were measured at or near-lethal levels, said biologist Karen Hans of the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program.

” ODFW was reluctant to make this decision prior to Free Fishing Weekend but with the water temperatures so high, stocking Sunnyside Pond may have resulted in hundreds of dead trout. The trout scheduled for stocking in Sunnyside Pond will be released into Green Peter Reservoir instead.”

Although no licenses or tags are required these two days, all other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations to find out more. Remember to check for any in-season regulation changes (especially for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and marine fishing) in the Zone where you will be fishing by visiting the Recreation Report, https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report.

Also see the Recreation Report, published every Thursday, for suggestions on where to fish this weekend.

With Oregon facing a serious drought this summer, warmwater fishing is a good choice for Free Fishing Weekend and throughout the summer, according to ODFW.

Keep in mind there are still recreation areas closed after last year’s fires. “Know before you go” and check the Oregon Recreation Site Status Map for details on closures; the site includes a boat ramp status map.

Oregon will have one more Free Fishing Weekend in 2021, the two days after Thanksgiving, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26-27.