Fishing with family or friends is a great way to enjoy time together – and you can fish for free this Father’s Day weekend.
“Fishing is a great family pastime,” Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith said in a news release.
“With fishing being free this Father’s Day weekend, it’s a great time to get out on one of Ontario’s lakes or rivers and enjoy this wonderful sport.”
Right now, you can fish for many species, including yellow perch, common carp, northern pike, lake trout and walleye, according to the MNRF.
Anyone going fishing is urged to follow all limits on how many fish they can keep as some waterbodies have exceptions. (More information is available in the Fishing Regulations Summary.)
Also, if you are fishing for free during this period, you must follow all conservation licence catch limits and carry ID issued by the provincial or federal government, showing your name and date of birth.
If fishing isn't in the cards this weekend, the MNRF says you can fish for free during Family Fishing Week (July 1-9).
Outside of free fishing periods (a free fishing weekend was also held earlier this year on Mother's Day weekend) most Canadians 18 and older, but under the age of 65 must have an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence to fish in Ontario, the MNRF says.
Veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members living in Ontario can enjoy free recreational fishing in the province any time of year.
Approximately 1.2 million licensed anglers spend $1.75 billion each year on recreational fishing in Ontario, according to the province.
Don't know where to fish? You can find a new fishing spot using Fish ON-Line.
