Families along the Oregon coast have many opportunities this weekend to try fishing as a group activity without having to buy any licenses or fancy gear.

Adults who fish, or who have fished in the past, can teach kids the sport at one of several coast-area lakes stocked with legal-sized trout. Parents who have never fished or have no fishing equipment can bring their kids to one of several fishing events where rods, bait and instruction are provided free of charge.

The events are all part of the 17th annual Free Fishing Weekend when licenses and tags are not required to fish, clam or crab anywhere in Oregon. All regulations related to fishing locations, species and catch limits must be followed.

On The WebOregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Free Fishing Weekend:

(www.dfw.state.or.us/free_fishing/).”This weekend is all about providing families or groups of friends with the opportunity to see if they enjoy fishing without having to invest in a license,” said Jeff Boechler, a district manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We want it to be fun so we stock thousands of trout in locations that are great for first-timers. We also have many events where kids can borrow fishing equipment and learn what it feels like to hook a fish.”

Along the Central and North Coasts, ODFW will stock 10 water bodies just before the weekend with nearly 15,000 8-inch trout that are ready to be caught. In addition, ODFW is co-sponsoring seven public kids’ fishing events Saturday.

The program is offered at the following locations:

Fort Stevens State Park: A learn-to-fish event will occur at 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the park at Coffenbury Lake. About 1,000 fish will be stocked for the event and Free Fishing Weekend. For more information, call (503) 861-0376.

Hebo Lake: A learn-to-fish event will occur 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at this Tillamook County lake. About 1,000 fish will be stocked for the event and Free Fishing Weekend. The lake can be reached by heading east on Highway 22 from the town of Hebo and taking a left onto Forest Service Road 14. Signs provide directions to the lake. For more information, call (503) 392-3191.

Nedonna Pond: An ODFW fishing clinic will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at this Tillamook County pond. Call (503) 368-6828 for more information.

Salmon River Hatchery: An ODFW fishing clinic will be held at the hatchery 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. The hatchery is located east of Otis. Take Highway 18 to Otis and turn north onto Scenic Drive before turning right onto North Bank Road. Call (541) 994-8606 for more information.

Thissel Pond: An ODFW fishing clinic will be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at this Benton County pond. For more information, call (541) 487-7240.

Town Lake: An ODFW fishing clinic will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at this Tillamook County lake. About 1,500 fish will be stocked. To reach the lake, take the Pacific City-Woods turnoff from Highway 101. Continue three miles to Woods and turn right at the bridge. For more information, call (503) 842-2741.

Trask River Hatchery: An ODFW fishing clinic will be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the hatchery. The hatchery is located south of Tillamook. From Highway 101, head east on Long Prairie Road and continue east on Chance Road to the hatchery. For more information, call (503) 842-4090.

In addition to the learn-to-fish events, the following water bodies will be stocked with trout this week: Big Creek Reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2, Cape Mears Lake, Cleawox Lake, and Olalla Creek Reservoir.