Sunday, June 7, brought sunshine, smiling faces and plenty of excitement to Lake Marie as more than 90 community members gathered for Free Fishing Day.
Oregon Coast Anglers (OCA), the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Gardiner Reedsport Winchester Bay STEP joined forces to give young anglers the opportunity to experience the excitement of catching trout.
Preparations began Saturday when OCA volunteers worked between rainstorms to install a net pen along the north shore of Lake Marie. By Sunday, the weather had cleared, bringing families and friends out for a beautiful day on the water.
For many, the highlight was watching children experience the thrill of reeling in a fish. OCA members were on hand to assist young anglers and help clean, bag and ice their catches, while GRWB STEP distributed fishing equipment provided by ODFW.
With a great turnout and plenty of appreciation from participating families, the event was a wonderful example of local organizations working together to introduce the next generation to fishing.
Thank you to the volunteers, partner organizations and families who helped make Free Fishing Day at Lake Marie a success!
