Hatchery offers free fishing day

Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery in Camp Sherman is holding its annual Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 7, for children 10 and under. Children can fish for trout from 9 a.m. until noon at the settling pond. The limit is one fish per child. Parents, you get to help and take pictures.

While no fishing licenses are required for the weekend, check your regulation books to fish the streams later in the day. Fishing for salmon or steelhead still requires you to buy tags and there are other regulations that need to be observed.

There are some poles and tackle available at the fish hatchery, but best to bring your own. There are no restrictions on bait. Bags and ice are available for those who want to take the fish home. If you take your trout home, you can learn to clean it there, as there is no fish cleaning on hatchery grounds.

There are many fish in the pond, over 500 according to Facilities Manager Steve Hamberger. Toss fish food on the water and you can practically reach out and catch them.

While there, take time to walk the hatchery grounds. Several tanks of various sizes show off fish at different stages of development.

To get there take the Camp Sherman Metolius Recreation Area exit off Highway 20 and turn onto Forest Service Road 14. Follow it all the way to the fish hatchery signs or drive into Camp Sherman and follow the signs there. You'll see streams and probably several fly fishers along the way.