17th annual Eckman Fishing Derby May 17 in Waldport, May 16

Family fishing is coming to Waldport on Saturday, May 17 when the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and First Baptist Church of Waldport host a free fishing event at Eckman Lake.  A feature of the ODFW Outdoors program, the event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everything families need to experience an enjoyable day on the water – fish, fishing gear, and fishing instruction – will be provided free of charge.  “We’re pleased to be working with the First Baptist Church to bring the 17th annual Eckman Fishing Derby to Waldport,” said Christine Clapp, ODFW STEP Biologist. “This will be our first year on the new fishing dock funded by an ODFW Restoration and Enhancement grant, which will double the area for kids and their families to fish.”  To ensure that every child will catch a fish, ODFW will release 1,000 rainbow trout into a temporary enclosure in the lake just prior to the event. An additional 100 two-pounders will also be stocked.  In addition to family fishing, there will also be a carnival at the event, complete with bouncy house, cotton candy and lots of other fun activities. Kids can also make their own fishing lures and flies, get some extra cast practice with a backyard game, and learn about fish anatomy and physiology while volunteers clean their catch.  Eckman Lake is located about 2.5 miles east of Waldport on Highway 34. The family fishing area will be set up at Nelson State Recreation Area across from the First Baptist Church parking lot.  The event is open to everyone, and no pre-registration is required. Anglers 13 years old and younger do not need a fishing license. Anglers 14-17 years of age will need a juvenile fishing license, which can be purchased for $9 at any ODFW license agent, ODFW office or on-line at ODFW’s website (www.odfw.com). Everybody else must have an adult fishing license. Licenses will not be sold at the event so individuals planning to participate should obtain their licenses ahead of time.