Outdoors

Fish for free in Ontario this week

Family fishing out of a canoe Photo by KOTOIMAGES/Shutterstock

Didn’t purchase a fishing licence this year? From now until July 10, you can fish in Ontario for free without a licence. 

While licences aren’t required, regular fishing rules still apply. The province says fishers must:

  • follow conservation licence catch limits
  • obey size limits and sanctuaries
  • follow the fishing regulations
  • carry a permit or identification card issued by the provincial or federal government, showing your name and date of birth

More information on Ontario Fishing Regulations can be found here

If you’re short on fishing equipment, TackleShare is a program that loans out free rods and reels across the province. Anglers can sign out equipment (like a book at a library) at locations throughout the province, including provincial parks, conservation authorities, and libraries.

For those who can’t make it out to the cottage before July 10, you can take a crack at urban fishing. Cities have designated fishing sites and all fishing rules still apply within city limits.

This is the last of four dates the province designated as free fishing periods in 2022. 

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