Everyone can fish for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16.
No fishing licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required to fish, crab or clam in Oregon that weekend. Although no licenses or tags are required, all other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations to find out more and remember to check for any in season regulation changes on the ODFW website.
New to fishing and wondering where to go? Check the Recreation Report, which is updated on Thursday each week, for the best opportunities for the weekend.
Remember to follow ongoing precautions in place due to the coronavirus:
- Practice social distancing. Keep six feet between you and anyone who doesn’t live in your immediate household, including while on a boat or at a fish cleaning station.
- Wear a mask. Recreation areas can get more crowded on the weekends and during Free Fishing Weekend. Wear a mask outdoors when you can’t maintain six feet of distance from someone who doesn’t live in your household.
- Wash your hands often. Keep up on personal hygiene and bring your own water, soap, and hand sanitizer with you.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Be prepared. Restrooms and other facilities may be more limited. Bring your own soap, water, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, food, etc.
- Avoid crowds. Go someplace else if your destination looks crowded.
- Pack out what you pack in. Take any garbage with you.
- Check for access before you go. Many spots have reopened to public access but some may still be closed, now due to wildfire season as well as Covid-19. ODFW does not control access to land or facilities (such as boat ramps) that it doesn’t manage, so check with the land manager or facility owner where you want to go about what’s open before you leave home.
