THUNDER BAY – The weather is looking good for a weekend’s ice fishing family fun. Ontario residents can fish licence-free this Family Fishing Weekend, which runs from February 18 to 20. “Whether it’s your first time or you’re an old pro at ice fishing, Family Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity to get outdoors with your family and enjoy some winter fun. Come out and see why some anglers say fishing is even better in the winter,” enthused Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources
Here are a few of the ice fishing events families can enjoy this coming weekend:
- Quetico Provincial Park in Atikokan February 18 at noon for an afternoon of fishing and skating on French Lake
- Take part in the Manitouwadge Family Fishing Derby at Lion’s Beach on February 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; all children who participate will receive a prize
If you are in the Ottawa Region Walleye League’s Kids’ Ice Fishing Event on February 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For more information on these and other events, visit the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
“Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity to take your friends or family ice fishing this winter. There are events being held across the province over the Family Day long weekend, all designed to introduce aspiring anglers to this classic Canadian winter activity,” shared Mike Reader, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Executive Director.
Here is, for your enjoyment and idea on how to feast on your fish, which is healthy and tasty too:
One of my favourite ways to enjoy fish is to poach them. Not poach in the term that will have the MNR upset, but in a hot frying pan. My choice is a cast iron pan with a lid.
You need a frying pan with a lid, some hot water, extra virgin olive oil, some fresh ground pepper and some lime slices. And of course your fresh caught fillets of walleye or whatever fish you prefer. Leave the skin on your fish.
Heat the frying pan, with a little bit of the EVOO. Put the piece of fish skin side down, in the pan, let it fry for about one minute. Then pour in boiling hot water to about half the depth of the fillet. Cover and let the hot steam cook your fish. When the water is gone, your fish is done.
Then sprinkle a little fresh pepper over your fillets. While many people swear by lemon, I have found a squirt of lime juice is amazing on fresh water fish.
Enjoy!