Get ready for free fishing, state park parking, & waterway access this weekend

By Garrett Christensen on Friday, June 5th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

SALEM – This weekend, June 6-7, is going to be free and accessible for all forms of outdoor recreation across Oregon. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Oregon State Parks and Recreation, and the Oregon State Marine Board have announced the temporary lifting or waiving of various fees and permit requirements this weekend.

For anyone looking to fish, June 6-7 is a free fishing weekend, which means no fishing or shell fishing licenses or tags are required. All other restrictions apply. As written by ODFW in a recent announcement:

“Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, 2026.

No fishing/shellfish licenses or tags/validations are required on these days (meaning you do not need a Combined Angling Tag, Columbia River Basin Endorsement, Ocean Endorsement or two-rod validation where two rods are allowed). Both Oregon residents and nonresidents can fish for free. Oregon State Parks also offers free parking on Saturday, June 6.

All other fishing regulations apply including closures, gear restrictions, bag limits, and size restrictions. Visit the Online Regulations page before you head out and remember to check myodfw.com for any in season regulation changes, especially for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Drought conditions make a difference this year. Some smaller lakes and ponds might already be warming up, so consider fishing early in the day or changing it up to warm water fish like bass, bluegill and crappie.”

For anyone looking to make a full waterborne weekend, the Oregon State Marine Board also announced that waterway access permits will not be required in conjunction with ODFW’s free fishing access. As listed by the marine board in another announcement:

“The Oregon State Marine Board, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), will not require non-motorized boat operators to have a waterway access permit in conjunction with free fishing, clamming and crabbing days.”

Lastly, Oregon State Parks is also offering free day-use parking on Saturday, June 6 for State Park Day. As written by the State Parks:

“State Parks Day has been a tradition since 1998 to celebrate Oregonians’ love for the state park system. On June 6, 2026, Oregon State Parks will waive the day-use parking fees on parks that typically require them for Oregon residents.”

(Image taken by an EMG staff member near Wallowa Lake State Park)