Ontario Family Fishing Weekend: Try Ice Fishing!

Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival: Highlight of Ontario Family Fishing Weekend

My daughter, and her girlfriends had a blast at this event! After you caught  a fish, you turned it in for a ticket to win a prize. All fish caught were cooked, and shared among the participants, so everyone had a taste of fresh panfish.
Saturday, February 19, Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival organizers hope to lure families out to Bell Rotary Park on Chemong Lake in Bridgenorth, Ontario for some free family fun. While the ice fishing festival takes place, Saturday, the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, runs from
Friday through the provincial Family Day holiday on February 21.
The Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival was launched last year to mark the opening of a year-round panfish season in the region.
“This festival brings people together to celebrate our proud fishing traditions. Through the O.F.A.H. TackleShare program, presented by Ontario Power Generation, we are pleased to sponsor the festival again this year and to work with Clear View Organizing, the Ministry of Natural Resources, KruzFM and many other partners to host this community event," said Mike Reader, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.).
“Ice fishing is a perfect winter activity, and the Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival makes it really easy to give it a try," said event organizer and spokesperson, Mike Brown. “Everything is provided, and Canadian residents don’t need to buy an Outdoor card to fish during Ontario Family Fishing Weekend."
Participants are encouraged to dress warmly. Admission is free and fishing gear and bait is provided, as well as a free shuttle service between the lake and designated parking. There are prizes for all youth participants, and food and drinks are available. The event gets underway at 10am and runs until 4pm.
Visit www.bridgenorthpanfishfestival.com for a complete list of sponsors and more event details.

Fast Facts:

• O.F.A.H. TackleShare sponsored by Ontario Power Generation is a charitable program that loans rods and reels to first time anglers in much the same way as libraries loan books. Visit www.tackleshare.com to find a loaner site near you.
• Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is an initiative of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The program includes a winter weekend and a summer event in July, which runs concurrent with National Fishing Week. The OFFW Steering Committee is comprised of the O.F.A.H., MNR, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association. www.familyfishingweekend.com
• Volunteers, including high school students, are welcome. Contact Andrea at 705-874-0519 orAndrea at ClearView Organizing.
• Safety first. Check conditions before you head out on the ice and frequently while out. Clear ice should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) for walking. Have an emergency plan.

With 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 670 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the leading nonprofit fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario. To learn more, visit www.ofah.org
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