The first of four free fishing weekends put on by the Ontario government is happening this Family Day long weekend.
From Saturday until Monday (16th until the 18th), you will be able to fish without a license across the Province. “We want to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors by providing a fun and affordable way to connect with each other and with nature,” said John Yakabuski, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
There will be three more free fishing weekends. The next will be on Mother’s Day (May 11th to 12th), Father’s Day (June 15th to 16th) and Family Fishing Week in June (June 29th until July 7th). The addition of free fishing weekends on Mother’s and Father’s Day are new this year.
Along with the four free fishing weekends, the government will also be freezing fishing license fees and removing the $2 service fee.
The Ontario government does remind anyone heading out for a day of fishing to be careful. They have posted ice fishing safety tips on their website.