Brian Byers was one of countless people taking advantage of Sunday’s nice weather to head out onto Lake Nipissing for an afternoon of snowmobiling.
He fully expected the lake to be busy with individuals and families taking advantage of licence-free family fishing.
This Family Day long weekend, February 16 and 18, one of four times a year Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without buying a license.
“It is great for families to have something like this to go out and do. Not everybody has the time or money to equip themselves to go fishing, or have that privilege,” said Byers.
“So knowing that you’ve got the availability to go out and have a good time in the sun and the snow, to catch and eat some fish is fun. It was one of my favourite things growing up as a kid, so I definitely appreciate that they do this.”
Ryan Ethier likes the fact it gives people who don’t normally fish, the opportunity to try their hand at the sport, without the added cost.
“You get to go out fishing, and you don’t have to buy a licence which is good because some people don’t want to have to spend the money for a yearly licence or a three year licence, so it is fun for the people who don’t go out often. They don’t have to spend the money. They go out, maybe catch some fish and have a good day.”
Bob Morrow stopped into Billy Bob’s Bait and Tackle before meeting up with family for their afternoon of free fishing, anticipating a fun time on the lake.
“We’re just going out on the south-west shore of Nipissing. It is Family Day weekend, so they all want to go out, have a good time, and maybe catch something,” said Morrow.
There is always the possibility that some first timers might actually get hooked, and want to go fishing another time.
“I think it is great for the whole family to get out. You probably get some people out that normally don’t go fishing, it might be their first time, and end up enjoying it and enjoying family time together.”
It was a good weekend for bait shops.
Jan Richards, co-owner of Billy Bob’s saw new people over the weekend, in addition to the regulars who took advantage of the opportunity to bring their spouse or children out fishing for the first time.
“It has been very busy. The weather has cooperated so it has been sunny, the fish are biting, and there has been a few tournaments. It has been a great weekend,” said Richards.
“We’ve been seeing lots of families, lots of kids. The kids are so excited. They get to play outside instead of keeping the kids in the hut because it is not windy and blowing them off the lake.”
Monday is the last day to fish without a licence for this long weekend, keeping in mind all conservation rules still apply, including limits and slot size.
