free family fishing
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TEN Free Places to Fish for Family Fishing Week in Ontario #travel

free family fishing

Looking for something to do this weekend that’s friendly on the family budget and enjoyable for everyone? Well, I have just the ticket. Whether you’re an experienced angler or brand new to fishing, or really just dead awful like me (oh I try anyways, don’t worry) there are many opportunities to get out and fish licence-free during Family Fishing Week, July 4-12, 2015.

Searching for Family Fishing Week events across Ontario? You can check the full list here: ontariofamilyfishing.com/events

Anyways I thought it would be fun to share these because I know my readers love free things that don’t tax the budget and I also know you are an awesome active bunch! So here are several free Ontario family fishing week opportunities for you. Free Fishing Week also means you don’t need a license to fish this coming week. But listen, as we all know free can mean very very busy so go prepared and if it says pre-register then get on that phone or email now to secure a spot.

TEN Free places to Fish in Ontario for Family Fishing Week.

1. Urban Fishing Festival at Darlington Provincial Park in Bowmanville

Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

1600 Darlington Park Road, Bowmanville

Free hotdogs and refreshments are available for kids. Bait is supplied at no cost. A limited number of rods and reels can be borrowed on a first-come first-served basis. Provincial Park Gate day use fees of $14 per vehicle are in effect.

2. Urban Fishing Festival at Humber Bay Park East in Toronto

Sunday, July 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2225 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto

A limited number of rods and reels will be available to borrow on a first-come first-served basis. Bait is supplied at no cost.

Special Note: For 2015, this site is replacing the Urban Fishing Festival usually held at Grenadier Pond in Toronto. Next year the Grenadier Pond event will return.

3. Urban Fishing Festival at Pefferlaw River in Pefferlaw

Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

202 Holmes Point Road, Pefferlaw

A limited number of rods and reels can be borrowed on a first-come first-served basis. All equipment, bait and refreshments will be offered at no charge on a first-come first-served basis after pre-registered participants have been accommodated. To avoid disappointment, pre-registration at lake-simcoe.ca for this free program is recommended.

4. Urban Fishing Festival at Progress Park at Frenchman’s Bay in Pickering

Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Progress Park, Front Road, Pickering

A limited number of rods and reels can be borrowed on a first-come first-served. Free hotdogs, prizes and refreshments for kids. Bait is supplied at no cost.

5. Urban Fishing Festival at Toogood Pond in Unionville

Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Carleton Road, Markham

A limited number of rods and reels can be borrowed from volunteers at the pavilion on a first-come first-served basis.

6. Urban Fishing Festival and Learn to Fish Program at Fairy Lake in Newmarket

Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wesley Brooks Park, 520 Water Street, Newmarket

Also apparently you can take part in the Ministry’s Learn to Fish program, which will be offered to a limited number of participants who pre-register via e-mail at learntofish@ontario.ca. One hour of dry-land instruction will begin at 9 a.m. Fishing basics, safety, species identification, basic tackle, conservation and more will be covered.

Afterwards participants will be able to fish with those who attend the Urban Fishing Festival.

A limited number of rods and reels can be borrowed on a first-come first-served basis. A free hotdog and drink will be available for kids. Bait is supplied at no cost.

7. Urban Fishing Festival and Learn to Fish Program at Toronto Islands

Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Toronto Island Boathouse (ferry at Queens Quay West, Toronto)

MNRF’s free Learn to Fish program will be offered to a limited number of participants who pre-register at trcastewardshipevents.ca. Each session includes one hour of dry-land training – including fishing basics, safety, species identification, basic tackle, conservation and more – followed by one hour of hands-on fishing.A limited number of rods and reels can be borrowed on a first-come first-served basis. Bait is supplied at no cost.

8. Learn to Fish Program at Heart Lake Conservation Area in Brampton

Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

10818 Heart Lake Road, Brampton

Each session includes one hour of dry-land training – including fishing basics, safety, species identification, basic tackle, conservation and more – followed by one hour of hands-on fishing. The recommended age is six years or older. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. All of the required equipment will be provided. The event is free but pre-registration is required at trcastewardshipevents.ca.

9. Learn to Fish Program at Lake Wilcox at Jessie Vanek Park in Richmond Hill

Sunday, July 12, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Sunset Beach Road, Richmond Hill

[tweetthis]DYK you can fish for free this week in areas of Ontario? [/tweetthis]

Each session includes one hour of dry-land training – including fishing basics, safety, species identification, basic tackle, conservation and more – followed by one hour of hands-on fishing. The recommended age is six years or older. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. All of the required equipment will be provided. The event is free but pre-registration is required at trcastewardshipevents.ca.

[tweetthis]There’s a Learn to Fish Program at Professor’s Lake in Brampton this week #travel [/tweetthis]

10. Learn to Fish Program at Professor’s Lake in Brampton

Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

1660 North Park Drive, Brampton

Each session includes one hour of dry-land training – including fishing basics, safety, species identification, basic tackle, conservation and more – followed by one hour of hands-on fishing. The recommended age is six years or older. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. All of the required equipment will be provided. The event is free but pre-registration is required at trcastewardshipevents.ca.

[tweetthis]Preregister for one of several learn to fish classes this week in Ontario. [/tweetthis]

Have you ever gone fishing?

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

5 Comments

  • Layne

    I didn’t realize there was a Family Fishing Week. We are going to the cottage the next week and will for sure be fishing with my boys!

  • Sandy

    I just posted about FFW on my FB page yesterday…but I didn’t realize there were all these festivals and learn to fish programs. I think this is fabulous! We plan to spend a little time of our own fishing this coming week 🙂 Thanks for the info, Paula!

  • Jenna Em

    Yay, thanks for the list! My husband bought a fishing rod for the kids, but we only used it a few times last summer. He’ll be happy to fish with the kids!