Learn to Fish program expanding

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Learn to Fish program expanding

The province is expanding its Learn to Fish program by adding locations, offering more mobile sessions, and providing 2,700 new spots.

Starting this year, the free program, which teaches new anglers of all ages how to fish, will include Lakefront Promenade and Lake Aquitaine in Mississauga and Sibbald Point Provincial Park in Georgina.

The Learn to Fish mobile unit will also travel to 11 locations this year, including provincial parks, conservation areas, and events. The two–hour program combines a one-hour practical teaching session with one hour of supervised hands-on fishing.

Sessions begin in June and are offered through to late August. Those who are interested can sign up online.

Opportunities created

Learn to Fish is expected to engage 12,000 new anglers at 20 locations this summer.

“Fishing is a wonderful activity and long-standing tradition in Ontario and I’m glad to be offering more opportunities – many of them in urban areas – for people to be able to take part in the Learn to Fish program,” Minister of Natural Resources Graydon Smith stated in a release. “Expansion of this program creates more opportunities for people to get out and explore Ontario’s many lakes and rivers and maybe even find a new hobby.”

Rapala, one of the largest tackle manufacturers in the world, will provide the equipment, including rods, reels, and tackle, necessary to operate the program.

Participants will learn how to:

  • rig, bait, and cast a fishing rod
  • identify and catch local fish species
  • get a fishing licence and follow fishing regulations
  • discover more about fishing in Ontario
  • fish safely and sustainably

Participants will be provided with:

  • experienced instructors focused on fish, fun, and safety
  • fishing rod, reel, and bait
  • a fishing licence to take part in the Learn to Fish program
  • lifejacket and sunglasses

Other resources also available

TackleShare is an Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) program supported by Ontario Power Generation. It loans fishing equipment to the public at more than 140 loaner sites across Ontario. Beginners can learn more about fishing via the TackleShare YouTube Channel.

For the 2024 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, click here

To learn more about Ontario fishing and hunting licences, click here