Residents across Northumberland County will have the chance to fish for free this Mother’s Day weekend.
The Ontario government is waiving the requirement for a fishing licence and Outdoors Card on May 9 and 10, allowing Canadian residents to cast a line at no cost on local lakes and rivers throughout the county.
Officials say the annual free fishing weekend is designed to encourage families and first-time anglers to get outdoors and experience recreational fishing together.
Despite the waived licence requirement, all existing fishing regulations remain in effect. That includes conservation licence catch and size limits, as well as any local restrictions or sanctuaries.
Participants are also required to carry valid government-issued identification showing their name and date of birth while fishing.
The province says recreational fishing plays an important role in Ontario’s economy, with more than one million licensed anglers contributing billions of dollars each year to tourism and local communities.
For those new to fishing, resources are available to help get started. Programs such as TackleShare offer free rod and reel loans, while online guides provide step-by-step instructions on how to fish safely and responsibly.
The Mother’s Day weekend event is one of four free fishing opportunities offered in Ontario this year, with additional dates planned for Father’s Day weekend in June and Family Fishing Week later that month.
Officials say the initiative is about more than fishing, it is about spending time together, exploring the outdoors, and building lasting memories across communities.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
