Two fishermen troll in Upper Empire Lake on Tuesday. The lake will be the site of the annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 26. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

Fishing, games and activities are set for the annual Family Fun Day to be held Saturday, April 26, at Upper Empire Lake in Coos Bay. The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Child Advocacy Center of Coos Bay will set up a mini-carnival, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will stock the lake with nearly 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout just prior to the event. NW Natural gas will provide a free lunch for all.

“This is a great family event,” said Tom Rumreich, ODFW fish biologist. “One young participant last year declared it was the best day of his life!”

Those attending are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Some rods, reels and tackle will be available for loan, and ODFW biologists and volunteers can help teach anglers how to catch those prize trout.

All fishing regulations continue to apply. Anglers 13 year of age and younger will not need a license. Those ages 14 to 17 will require a juvenile license.

The trout-stocking was made possible through ODFW’s Youth Angling Education Program, which was funded by the Oregon Legislature in partnership with the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation.