For those who have been spending the majority of their time indoors due to the recent frigid temperatures, the province is giving residents some incentive for some outdoor fun as the temperatures start to increase.

Residents and visitors will be able to ice fish for free during the Family Day weekend on February 16-18. The free fishing weekend allows experienced or first-time ice fishers to fish in any waterbody that has an open sport fishing season without purchasing a fishing license.

Environment Canada is predicting a rise in temperature from the -40’s experienced last week, which will likely give some relief to residents looking to participate in the weekend. Being properly protected from the winter weather isn’t the only safety precaution anglers should take, testing ice thickness before you travel on it is also crucial to keeping yourself and others safe.

A minimum of 10 cm of good ice is required for walking and 30 cm is required for light vehicle travel.

Although the weekend is designed to provide free fun for residents, rules and regulations still apply. The weekend does not apply in national parks and all other fishing regulations, including possession limits and reduced limits on some lakes and rivers remain in effect.

To find applicable lakes and rivers near you and to review provincial fishing regulations, click here.