Looking to spend some time with the family in the great outdoors? For this week only, fishing in the province won't require a licence.
National Fishing Week is Saturday, June 30 to Sunday, July 8. Spokesperson Mike Melnik says the week coincides with the province's licence-free period called Ontario Family Fishing Events Week.
"If you are a Canadian resident, you will not need a fishing licence to go fishing," says Melnik. "This is a great way for people who want to give it a try or people who haven't fished for a long time to do it again."
Melnik says National Fishing Week has been held annually for almost 20 years now. He says the Ontario Family Fishing Events Week has been going for about ten years and used to be only a weekend, instead of a full week.
The spokesperson says it's a great time to remind people why fishing is important.
"There are many benefits to it," says Melnik. "For example, we spend so much time in front of screens these days and being able to shut that off for a couple of hours, an afternoon, or a whole day and spend time with your family and friends is very healthy and something I think we should do more often."
Melnik expects a lot of people to be out by the water during this weekend's heat wave.
"Nice weather helps, but I know anglers will be fish in all types of weather, especially the die-hards," he says.
National Fishing Week is supported by Catch Fishing, a national program dedicated to encouraging Canadians to get outdoors and enjoy angling throughout the year.
