OFAH Insider: OFFE for family fishing

Ontario’s free fishing periods are back for 2026 and there’s no better time to gather your community, explore Ontario’s lakes, rivers, and streams, and share the joy of fishing. Four times a year, Canadian residents are invited to cast a line, with no fishing licence required.

“Ontario Family Fishing Events (OFFE) connect communities with local fishing events and offers two exciting chances to win a $500 fishing prize pack courtesy of Shimano, Lucky Strike, and Ontario Out of Doors (OOD),” OFAH Program Support Specialist Annie Layfield said. “If you’re organizing a public fishing event during Family Fishing Weekend or Family Fishing Week, register your event with OFFE and receive a free package to help make it a success.”

Event packages include a copy of the 2026 Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, Catch Fishing booklets, fishing lures, OOD subscriptions, OFAH prizes, and more. Registered fishing events are also added to the OFFE online event map, to help families find and attend local events.

Register your public fishing event at: www.ontariofamilyfishing.com

Set a reminder for these 2026 free fishing dates:

Family Fishing Weekend
Feb. 14 – 16

Mother’s Day Weekend
May 9 & 10

Father’s Day Weekend
June 20 & 21

Family Fishing Week
June 27 – July 5

How to enter our $500 fishing prize pack giveaways

Photo contest:
Post your best fishing photos during Family Fishing Weekend and Family Fishing Week.
See website for details.

Submit your plans:
Share your family’s fishing plans for Family Fishing Weekend and Family Fishing Week at:
www.ontariofamilyfishing.com
All submissions will also receive a digital fishing resources package.

While enjoying Ontario’s free fishing opportunities, all anglers are reminded to follow Conservation Fishing Licence catch and possession limits, fishing regulations, and carry government-issued identification.

Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2025 issue of Ontario Out of Doors

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