Go Fish! Ontario Family Fishing Week runs July 7-15

Canadian residents invited to try fishing during license-free days

PETERBOROUGH, ON, July 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Ontario Family Fishing Week gets underway this weekend, and across the province, clubs and service organizations are getting ready to host family-friendly events. From July 7 through 15, fishing derbies and festivals will be running in more than 50 communities, including several in the Toronto area. The popular initiative is designed to bring families together in the outdoors to enjoy fishing on one of Ontario's more than 250,000 lakes or countless rivers and streams.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) delivers Ontario Family Fishing Week as part of Ontario Family Fishing Events (OFFE), which is an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) initiative. The OFAH and its partners are working hard to introduce more people to fishing.

"One fishing experience can lead to a personal lifelong dedication to fish and wildlife conservation," said Angelo Lombardo, OFAH Executive Director. "Fishing is a hands-on lesson in environmental education. It's the best way to understand biodiversity, adaptations, food chains, the threat of invasive species and the importance of healthy waterways."

During OFFE, Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years who would normally be required to purchase a fishing license, can fish Ontario waters license-free. Conservation license limits apply, as do all other provincial fishing regulations (available at www.ontario.ca/fishing).

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 675 member clubs, the OFAH is the province's largest nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, and the VOICE of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ontariofamilyfishing.com or www.ofah.org and follow OFFE, TackleShare and the OFAH on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters