Overview

Learn to Fish is a free program that teaches new anglers how to fish in Ontario. This fun and engaging 2–hour educational program combines a 1-hour practical teaching session on equipment use, fish species identification, safety and Ontario recreational fishing regulations with 1–hour of supervised hands-on fishing.

The program teaches how to:

  • rig, bait and cast a fishing line
  • identify and catch local fish species
  • get a fishing licence and follow fishing regulations
  • discover more about fishing in Ontario
  • fish safely and sustainably

We provide everything you need, including:

  • experienced instructors focused on fish, fun and safety
  • fishing rod, reel and bait
  • a fishing licence to take part in the Learn to Fish program
  • lifejacket and sunglasses

Who can join

Everyone aged 6 and up, including adults, teens and children. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Weather policy

Sessions run rain or shine, except in cases of extreme weather such as thunderstorms, heat warnings or high winds. If a session is cancelled, registered participants will be notified by email in advance.

What to bring

We encourage you to bring:

  • sunglasses
  • weather-appropriate clothing
  • sunscreen
  • water
  • payment for possible park access or parking fees
  • enthusiasm

Learn to Fish permanent locations and registration

We recommend you register in advance. Spots are limited to 30 participants per session. To register for a session at a location, select the link for the month you are registering for.

LocationAddressRegistration
Emily Provincial Park797 Emily Park Road, Omemee, Ontario     
K0L 2W0		June registration  
July registration  
August registration
Earl Rowe Provincial Park4998 Concession Road 7, Alliston, Ontario      
L9R 1W1		June registration  
July registration  
August registration
Grundy Lake Provincial ParkON-522, Unorganized Centre Parry Sound District, Britt, OntarioWalk-in registration only
Darlington Provincial Park1600 Darlington Park Road, Bowmanville, Ontario     
L1C 3K3		June registration  
July registration  
August registration
Lakefront Promenade155 Waterfront Trail, Mississauga, Ontario     
L5E 3G9		June registration  
July registration  
August registration
Lake Aquitaine6655 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario     
L5N 3L4		(Temporarily closed)
Tommy Thompson Park1 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario     
M4M 3M2		June registration  
July registration  
August registration
Heart Lake Conservation Park10818 Heart Lake Road, Brampton, Ontario     
L6Z 0B3		June registration  
July registration  
August registration

Mobile Learn to Fish unit locations and registration

Our mobile unit operates throughout the summer at the following locations and dates. Session times vary by location.

To register, select the link for the location you wish to attend.

Mobile tour dateLocationRegistration
Saturday July 4
Sunday August 16		Silver Lake Provincial Park 22726 Highway 7, Maberly, Ontario      
K0H 2B0		Mobile registration
Sunday July 5th
Saturday August 15		Sharbot Lake Provincial Park 25467 Highway 7, Sharbot, Ontario      
K0H 2P0		Mobile registration
Wednesday June 24
Thursday June 25
Friday June 26
Wednesday July 22
Thursday July 23
Friday July 24
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22		Bon Echo Provincial Park 16151 Highway 41, Cloyne, Ontario      
K0H 1K0		Mobile registration
Thursday July 16
Friday July 17
Saturday July 25
Sunday July 26
Wednesday July 29
Wednesday August 5
Thursday August 6
Friday August 7		Sibbald Point Provincial Park 26071 York Regional Road 18, Sutton West, Georgina, Ontario     
L0E 1R0		Mobile registration
Saturday July 11Niagara River Fishing Event 2893 Niagara River Parkway #2929, Fort Erie, Ontario      
L2A 5M4		Mobile registration
Sunday July 12Hamilton Harbour Fishing Event 57 Discovery Drive, Hamilton, Ontario     
L8L 8K4		Mobile registration
Saturday July 18Lake Whitaker Conservation Area 5840 Whittaker Lane, Harrietsville, Ontario      
N0L 1B0		Mobile registration
Sunday July 19Dalewood Conservation Area 10518 Dalewood Road, St Thomas, Ontario      
N5P 3T3		Mobile registration
Friday July 31
Saturday August 1		Thousand Island Open Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, Kingston Marina, 349 Wellington St, Kingston, Ontario     
 K7K6N7		Mobile registration
Saturday June 13Pittock Conservation Area 221 Pittock Park Road, Woodstock, Ontario      
N4S 7W2		Mobile registration
Sunday June 14Fanshawe Conservation Area 1424 Clarke Road, London, Ontario     
N5V 5B9		Mobile registration
Saturday June 27
Sunday June 28		Biidaasige Park 51 Commissioners Street, Toronto, Ontario     
M5A 1A6		Mobile registration

Hamilton Conservation Authority Locations

Mobile tour dateLocationRegistration
Thursday July 2
Friday July 3
Saturday July 18
Sunday July 19		Valens Lake Conservation Area 1691 Regional Road, Hamilton, Ontario   
N1R 5S7		Mobile registration
Saturday June 27
Sunday June 28
Saturday July 25
Sunday July 26		Christie Lake Conservation Area 1000 ON-5, Dundas, Ontario   
L9H 5E1		Mobile registration
Saturday August 8
Sunday August 9
Thursday August 13
Friday August 14		Fifty Point Conservation Area 1479 Baseline Road, Hamilton, Ontario   
L8E 3L8		Mobile registration
A group of individuals across all ages in front of the learn to fish mobile unit

Learn to Fish digital

The digital Learn to Fish program helps you navigate this new world of fishing online. Follow along as we review all the basics of how to fish with videos, quizzes and other resources like our Learn to Fish Guide.

At the end of this digital experience, you will have the knowledge and confidence to fish on your own.

Follow us on social media @FishWildlifeON for more information.