The province wants you to cast a line for free in Ontario with dad this weekend.
“Father’s Day weekend is a great time to get out on one of Ontario’s beautiful lakes or rivers and enjoy fishing,” Graydon Smith, minister of Natural Resources, said in announcing the province is offering free fishing June 15-16.
“Fishing is a fun activity for everyone in the family and it’s a great way to spend time together,” he added in a statement Tuesday.
Among the many species anglers can currently fish for in most of Ontario are yellow perch, common carp, northern pike, lake trout and walleye.
Still, the province says some bodies of water have exceptions so officials advise to check the Fishing Regulations Summary before heading out to be aware of the limits on how many fish can be kept.
Those fishing for free during this period will need to carry provincial or federal identification showing their name and date of birth.
The province says more than one million licensed anglers spend $1.75 billion annually on recreational fishing in Ontario. The last annual free fishing event this year is Family Fishing Week (June 29-July 7) to celebrate Canada Day.
Veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members living in Ontario enjoy free recreational fishing in the province all year.
Outside of free fishing periods, most Canadians between the ages of 18 and 65 must have an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence, which can be purchased online at huntandfishontario.com or in person at participating ServiceOntario or authorized licence issuer locations.