This Father’s Day weekend, the province of Ontario is offering free, license-free fishing for Canadian residents. Typically, Canadians between the ages of 18 and 65 need to have an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence to fish in Ontario.
“Father’s Day weekend is a great time to get out on one of Ontario’s beautiful lakes or rivers, and enjoy fishing,” said Graydon Smith, the Minister of Natural Resources, in a news release Tuesday. Smith encourages everyone to “cast a line” this weekend and take this as an opportunity to spend time together as a family and celebrate Father’s Day.
If you want to take advantage of this free fishing opportunity—and you’re over 18—you must carry identification issued by the provincial or federal government showing your name and date of birth. Some waterbodies have exceptions about the quantity and types of fish you can catch. Anglers should check for information about catch limits.
Ontario offers four opportunities throughout the year to fish without a licence:
- Family Fishing Weekend (February 17–19, 2024)
- Mother’s Day Weekend (May 11–12, 2024)
- Father’s Day Weekend (June 15–16, 2024)
- Ontario Family Fishing Week (June 29 – July 7, 2024)
As a bonus,Ontario provincial parks, conservation authorities, and libraries offer free loans for rods and reels. For fishing newbies, check out Ontario’s Learn to Fish guide here.
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