Press Release
Safety on and around Ontario’s lakes and rivers should be everyone’s top priority when outdoors this Family Day Weekend.
To encourage families to get outside and try ice-fishing, Ontario residents who don’t have a licence can fish without one from Feb. 13-15.
These anglers must follow the conservation licence limits set out in the 2010 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.
Meanwhile, events offering information on safety on the ice will be held across the province. Many factors can affect the thickness and strength of ice on lakes and rivers.
All anglers should check with local ice hut operators before venturing out.
“Family Fishing Weekend is an opportunity to take part in an outdoor tradition that is popular across the province,” said Natural Resources minister Linda Jeffrey.
“It’s a great chance to try ice-fishing for the first time and learn about safety on the ice through events organized by community groups,” she added.
“Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is the perfect opportunity for families of all sizes to try winter fishing,” agreed Mike Reader, executive director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
“Thanks to the generosity of Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters member clubs and other volunteers, events are being hosted in communities around the province, and everyone is invited to participate in this great Canadian tradition,” he enthused.
Roughly 1.3 million anglers fish in Ontario each year and spend $2.5 billion in the province annually.
The 2010 fishing regulations benefited from the input of new Fisheries Management Zone Advisory Councils.
The councils, made up of local stakeholders, help the Ministry of Natural Resources develop management strategies for their zones.
