Albertans are being encouraged to abandon their mid-winter binge-watching sessions and try their hand at ice fishing.

It’s fishing week in Alberta and it all kicks off with a free family fishing weekend in the province.

That means residents and visitors of all ages can drop a line in any public water body that has an open fishing season between February 15th and 17th without needing a license. The province says it’s a great opportunity for people to try out ice fishing if they’ve never done it before.

“Let’s celebrate that we live in one of the most majestic places on the planet with a diverse landscape and a wealth of natural resources – including lakes, rivers and streams,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Family Fishing Weekend and Alberta Fishing Week are great opportunities for families to get out and connect with each other and with our province’s natural beauty.”

Regulations still apply during both Family Fishing Weekend and Alberta Fishing Week. Any fishing inside a national park will still require a license.

Ice fishing is an event the whole family can get involved with (Photo courtesy: Jose Cabrera)

 

If you’ve never fished before, or you don’t know what equipment you need there are several events taking place across the province that will teach you all you need to know.

FISHtival - Bow Habitat Station

Kick off Family Day weekend at Bow Habitat Station’s FISHtival! Celebrate Family Fishing Weekend in Alberta with free outdoor family fun and reduced admission inside the Discovery Centre. ($5+ tax per person, children three and under are free) 

Renovations are complete in the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery. Included with admission is a chance to feed thousands of rainbow trout.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 15 Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last admission at 3:30 p.m. Location: Bow Habitat Station, 1440 – 17A Street SE, Calgary

Eddie Cabrera showing off his catch in the ice fishing hut before the release (Photo courtesy: Jose Cabrera)

Kids Can Catch - Alberta Conservation Association

Each year, the Alberta Conservation Association teams up with community and corporate partners to host multiple Kids Can Catch events across the province. Volunteers are on-hand to help teach new anglers the proper ways to bait a hook, where to drop a line, and what to do once a fish has been caught.

Upcoming Kids Can Catch events:

Feb. 15 at Wabamun Lake (online registration) Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Wabamun Lake, at the end of 50th Street in the Village of Wabamun

Feb. 15 at Lesser Slave Watershed Council Family Ice Fishing (drop-in event) Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Hamlet of Joussard

Feb. 17 at Camp Wohelo (drop-in event) Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Camp Wohelo, northwest shore of Pigeon Lake

 

Family Fishing Weekends happen twice annually, on Family Day weekend in February and on the second weekend in July. No fishing license is required, but fishing regulations still apply. For the remainder of Alberta Fishing Week (Feb. 18-22) Albertans will require a valid license.

 

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