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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Three elections that matter right now ... The Concord launches ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 20, 1915 ... Our View: Three elections that matter right now ... The Concord launches ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 20, 1915 ... OUT THERE Free Fishing Weekend hits 20th anniversary Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of Oregon's Free Fishing Weekend, when people can test-drive angling — either on their own or at a variety of events — without buying a fishing license. Participants can fish, crab or clam without a license Saturday and Sunday as long as they adhere to all other angling rules and limitations. Also, the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon State Parks Department will offer free camping Saturday, while the Bureau of Land Management will waive day-use fees at some places, such as Hyatt Lake. The only Jackson County event this year will be at Fish Lake, where BLM and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will hold an event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Forest Service's Fish Lake campground. The event will provide a slew of free fishing-related activities and information for kids and adults alike, including access to fishing rods and tackle for kids to wet a line. Live salmon and steelhead will be in a viewing tank and there will be fish painting, drift boat and canoe tours and other opportunities. Fish Lake anglers received a little boost for their potential success this week when another 3,500 legal-sized rainbow were stocked there. But just down Highway 140 is an event that includes the most swag of those in Southern Oregon. Lake of the Woods Resort is partnering with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service and the nonprofit group Fishin' Friends to put on an event that includes the give-aways of 70 rod-reel combinations and 20 tackle boxes to kids. That event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the resort. When it was started by Medford native Mike Bickler during his tenure at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Free Fishing Day (as it was called then) was kind of a one-and-you're-done attempt to put rods into new fishers' hands. Now events throughout the state are staffed by volunteer instructors who teach participants to take themselves or their kids fishing, and not just wait for next year's event to wet a line. But the number of events have been declining, both locally and statewide. The Fish Lake event stands alone for Jackson County in part because BLM pulled out of its annual event at Hyatt Lake, because Hyatt's low water conditions make boat launches and water access problematic. The only event scheduled for Josephine County is at Lake Selmac near Selma. The event is sponsored by the Grants Pass-based Middle Rogue Steelheaders and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with loaner rods, instruction and bait available. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501