Christine Lapeer knows all too well the debilitating effects post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have. Working as a nurse and crisis negotiator for 12 years in the federal penitentiary system, it was her own workplace trauma that ultimately led to a diagnosis and self-found treatment for this mental health disorder.
“I needed to find a way to practice meditation and mindfulness as recommended by my psychiatrist,” she explained. “I had just started fishing again as a way to distract myself while off work.
During an ice fishing event with Ontario Women Anglers, I had that a-ha moment: my mind had shut off for hours. I didn’t think of anything, my past, my future, and there were no intrusive thoughts. I felt like it was magic for my brain — something that finally flicked the switch and made me feel good after.”
Lapeer founded Mindful Fishing in 2019 as a way to help first responders suffering from PTSD. The initiative started small — bringing a couple of rods to the Smiths Falls Police and Lanark OPP stations where she worked and offering after shift outings to cast a line. Then one-on-one ice and shore fishing excursions happened. Two years later she bought her first boat and on-the-water experiences were now possible.
“I held my first bass derby in 2022, an event I was hoping would help create a community of anglers who were willing to offer their boat and a safe space to take first responders with them,” she said. “This way more people could benefit from fishing therapy.”
Mindful Fishing offers year-round outings for basic fishing. Lapeer likes the experience to focus on fun, so species targeted are generally abundant and not complicated to catch. “I want the practice to be sustainable, budget friendly, and achievable by anyone no matter what fishing experience. The outings are offered to all first responders and their family members — because our family goes through these challenges with us.”
On September 7 of this year, Mindful Fishing hosted its fourth bass derby. With the help of volunteer boaters, these fun four-hour tournaments include prizes and cash for biggest fish and lunch. They also give people a chance to chat and hopefully make plans to fish together in the future. An ice fishing event will be held again this winter at the Elbow Lake Educational Centre, located just north of Kingston.
“Fishing directly targets those parts of the brain impacted by trauma. It feeds our reward centre, helps create new memories, and repairs neural pathways. True medicine. It also creates a sense of community and belonging, something that’s very important in recovering from an isolating injury like PTSD. Of course, it also has physical health benefits and heightens self-esteem,” Lapeer stated.
One thing Lapeer wishes she had learned early in her career is that taking care of oneself has to happen before others can be taken care of. If our first responders aren’t healthy then the folks in our communities won’t be healthy. And that’s exactly why Mindful Fishing is a vital and much-needed program for helping combat PTSD through the fun activity of angling.
Originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of Ontario Out Of Doors
Contact Information
PO Box 2800 / 4601 Guthrie Dr.
Peterborough, Ontario Canada K9J 8L5
Phone: 705-748-OFAH (6324)
Fax: 705-748-9577
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