Stocked on Dec. 30 with 100 rainbow brood trout ranging in size from five to 15 pounds. Keep in mind the daily bag limit on trout over 20 inches in length is one fish. Fish from earlier stockings could still be around, although there has been a lot of fishing pressure.

The gate at the entrance to the ponds is now closed until spring, although the ponds themselves remain open during daylight hours to those who are willing to park at the gate and walk in.

St. Louis Ponds is a 54-acre complex of seven ponds jointly owned and managed by ODFW and Marion County Parks. ODFW has made a number of improvements at the ponds in recent years, including a paved ADA accessible trail and a couple of ADA accessible fishing platforms. In addition to stocked trout, the ponds contain several species of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and sunfish.

St. Louis Ponds is located 13 miles north of Salem and west of I-5. To get to there from I-5, take the Woodburn exit. Then go east to Hwy. 99E. At Hwy. 99E, head south to Gervais Road. Go west on Gervais Road through the town of Gervais. The road eventually changes to St Louis Road. Continue west on St Louis Road as it crosses over I-5 to Tesch Road, at the railroad crossing. Go left on Tesch Road and follow the signs to the ponds.