Fish licence-free this Family Day weekend

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Emma Jackson

EMC news - If you've ever dreamed of reeling in a record fish, this is your chance.

All Canadian residents are invited to grab a pole and start fishing during the annual license-free long weekend Feb. 18 to 20.

Throughout the province's Family Day weekend, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources has waived the need for a fishing license to allow people to try fishing without having to drop a lot of cash on an Outdoors Card.

The freebie weekend applies only to Canadian residents, and anglers must stick to the conservation limits outlined for their area.

Alesha Caldwell with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters administers the program, which encourages communities to host events to take advantage of the license-free weekend and teach residents about the sport.

She said the weekend, along with a license-free week in July, is useful to get new anglers started.

"In general to be able to get involved in a sport you need a kick starter like getting a family member to take you out."

Especially in the winter, fishing is a very accessible sport to get into, Caldwell said.

"You're not casting, you're just fishing in a hole. So for ice fishing you just need a hook, rod and a line," she said.Even a hut isn't necessary, she said.

"You don't need a hut. They are available, you can go to your local bait and tackle shop to see if they rent them. But all you need is a bucket to sit on," she said. Augers for drilling into the ice are also reasonably priced, she said, and are available for rent as well.

Caldwell said newcomers to the sport should consider taking a more experienced angler with them onto the ice, to offer tips and guidance.

However if someone wants to take advantage of the license-free weekend without a fisherman friend, Caldwell suggested talking to the locals to make sure the ice is safe and perhaps recruiting someone to help drill the hole.

For more information about the license-free weekend or events in the Ottawa area, visit www.familyfishing

weekend.com.