Fish license-free or take a friend fishing this February or July

Canadian residents will be able to sample Ontario's fishing opportunities, licence-free from February 18-20, 2012 and from July 7-15, 2012.  Ontario Family Fishing (OFFW) events make it easy to try fishing in Ontario lakes and rivers for the first time (or the first time in a long time). Twice a year, the government of Ontario designates several days during which Canadian residents can fish license-free in any water body where fishing is allowed. During all other periods, most Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase an Outdoors Card and a fishing license to legally fish in Ontario.

Sponsored by a diverse range of government and non-government organizations, these licence-free periods are designed to remind people of the recreational and economic value of Ontario's recreational fishery, and the importance of sustaining and enhancing it for future generations. For this reason, anglers without a licence must abide by the limits set for the Conservation Licence. All other fees and regulations apply and will be enforced, including size limits and sanctuaries. You can download the Ontario Fishing Regulations to see the conservation limits on the fish you'd like to catch.

There are many special events and festivals around Sunset Country that happen during the licence-free periods. Both the Dryden Winter Festival and the Vermilion Bay Kin Karnival host ice fishing derbies during the Family Fishing Weekend in February. The Ignace Otter Club Poker Derby is held in Ignace during their winter carnival. The Sunset Trail Riders in Kenora host a Family Day Weekend Scavenger hunt. For more information on events happening during the free fishing weekend and week, go to the community you are planning on visiting. Family Fishing Weekend and Week provide not only opportunities to fish, but also to learn about proper techniques, ethical angling and how to protect fish and their habitat.

For licenced anglers, the Weekend and Week are for you, too. Take an unlicensed friend out fishing, or attend an event with your kids. As a group, consider organizing a Weekend event. Put on a clinic, an educational children's event or use the Weekend to involve the public in an enhancement project. Information to help you plan and run events is available from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (705) 748-6324. For more information, visit the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend website or send your question to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters at: alesha_caldwell@ofah.org.