Central Oregon is blessed with numerous beautiful, healthy bodies of water, many of which are world renown fishing spots. Our rivers like the Deschutes, Crooked, Metolius and the McKenzie, not to mention over 150 lakes, streams and ponds, all have their own distinct ecosystem.
Introducing children to the great outdoors and these ecosystems opens up a whole new world to them. One exciting way to get the kids outside and foster an appreciation for nature is by teaching them to fish. After all, nothing quite compares to the thrill of casting a line and catching one of those slippery little creatures!
Whether relaxing on the bank of a small pond or battling the toughest of trout in a gushing river, any of us who enjoy fishing know that patience and perseverance are a necessity. Likewise, not just a fun weekend activity, fishing can be a skill builder for kids. Hand and eye coordination, concentration, mindfulness, self-reliance, knot-tying, and much more develop when engaging in the sport.
How to begin?
To get them started, try one of the local ponds or head to a calm portion of the Deschutes.
Bend Pine Nursery Pond located in Pine Nursery Park is open to all ages. The pond is large, quiet, relaxing, and on a beautiful day, the surrounding trees and sky can be seen reflecting on the water.
Likewise, in Shevlin Park near Aspen Hall, there is a small, unintimidating pond – Shevlin Pond. It is open only to ages 17 and under. On any given warm-weather day, you’ll see the little ones gathered around the water gleefully trying to catch a fish.
Both ponds have a current limit of two fish per day with an eight-inch minimum length. Of course, if you catch and release, you can catch as many as you want!
Multiple spots within the Bend city limits allow fishing on the Deschutes River – at Farewell Bend, Sawyer and Riley Rach Reserve, to name a few locations. Check the Bend Park and Recreation website for a longer list of areas on the river that are open to the public.
With a little basic fishing experience under their belts, when the kids are ready to make the leap into fly fishing, the Old Mill District has a fly-casting course, the first permanent one of its kind in North America. The five-hole course spread out around the Mill is great for beginners, and even later when they become intermediate or expert casters. Nearby, at the Confluence Fly Shop, pick up a map and a score card. There, they also offer classes and plenty of gear to prepare anglers for catching that prized whopper!
Venturing a bit outside of Bend to the Prineville Reservoir, families can make a fun day or weekend trip with the opportunity to fish, camp, swim or gaze at the night sky. In fact, the state park was recently designated as an official international dark sky area. Battle the largemouth bass during the day and relax under the stars at night.
Wikiup Reservoir is another spot to get in some good fishing. An amazing state record was set there when a brown trout caught opening day of 1998 weighed in at over 26 pounds! The area is also known for a large variety of waterfowl and shorebirds for those who like birdwatching.
Most importantly, don’t forget about the fishing license! For all the previously mentioned locations, permits are needed for everyone. For youth aged 12 to 17, they’ll need a juvenile license – available at most sporting goods and fishing shops.
Some kids don’t quite have the patience for fishing but still love to see the fish in action. Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery, located near the clear waters of the Metolius River, serves as a place to incubate and rear rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. When the time comes, the fish are released into the local rivers. Other types of fish are also raised at the hatchery as part of the reintroduction program in the upper Deschutes Basin.
The hatchery makes a great family trip. For only a quarter – yes, you are reading this correctly- anyone can feed the fish in the pond or watch them swim wildly around in one of the many tanks.
Plus, if your kids change their minds and decide they want to fish, the Metolius River is right there. There’s a wonderful 6.2-mile loop trail along the banks and many opportunities to see other wildlife. Nearby Camp Sherman General Store, first opened in 1918, carries flshing supplies and is worth the visit for its historical significance.
As you can see, there is no shortage of fishing spots around Bend. Whether it’s teaching kids a variety of skills or instilling in them an appreciation for nature, water is life, and sometimes it’s just fun to catch what’s in it!
This article appears in Bend Nest Summer 2025.
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