Open Invite: March 17/18/19 (TBD) @ Huddleston Pond

Hey all, with the weather starting to warm I'm getting ready to go chase some stocked trout in Willamina, Oregon. Between March 13-17 they're planting Huddleston Pond with 300 8"ers, 200 12"ers, and 200 16"ers.

Per ODFW, it is a 5-acre pond located within Huddleston Pond Park in the city of Willamina, Ore. A former mill pond, it contains woody debris that provides habitat for bass and bluegill. It reaches a maximum depth of about 10 feet, with shallow "kid-friendly" edges. It is ADA accessible in places, with a restroom and picnic areas nearby. There is paved parking lot and small ramp for people who want to launch small, non-motorized (no gas) boats.

In reality, it's heavily weeded, with 2-3' of open top water over solid weeds, so plan accordingly. They also skipped/forgot this particular planting last year, so a bunch of us were just paddling around for kicks. Fingers crossed they get it right this year, haha.

Either way, it's a great shot at some large trout, so I'll be watching the weather to pick the best day or day or days (rain/wind kills the bite). Feel free to join me out there in search of your 1-2lb trout!

Sounds interesting. I am intrigued.  I have done a lot of fishing and paddling, but not a lot of catching lately, would be nice to put some fish to hand.  I would potentially go sunday, but also weighing Merwin for Kokes .

Weather forecasts out here seem to only be good 3 days out, but:

Friday, 3/17: looks good
Sat, 3/18: wet and windy
Sun, 3/19: looks good

Definitely leaning on Friday, and then maybe again on Sunday.

The locals will have every planted fish pulled out of there before the ODFW truck hits the highway.

The locals will have every planted fish pulled out of there before the ODFW truck hits the highway.

That's my experience as well. The first time I went there as I was driving up (day after stocking) I saw the locals walking away with plastic grocery bags full of the brooders - probably 6-8 for each guy.

Here's my luck of the Irish fish on 3/17 at Huddleston.

Here's my luck of the Irish fish on 3/17 at Huddleston.

Nice!

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

Here's my luck of the Irish fish on 3/17 at Huddleston.

Nice fish! What did it tape in at? I'm glad you were able to find a good one.

Thanks, 14"

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk