The gate to the ponds was closed, effective Tuesday March 24, to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The gate will remain closed until further notice. People will still be allowed to walk in as long as they maintain social distancing standards.

ODFW and Marion County Parks, which jointly manage the fishing park, will monitor the area and re-evaluate public access if social distancing standards (6 ft. between people) are not being met. For more information, visit the Marion County Parks website.

The pond has been stocked twice in March.

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.