Friday, February 15, 2013

Plenty to do this Ontario Family Weekend

You don't need a fishing license Family Day Weekend

There's a ton of stuff happening in Sunset Country this weekend including tons of free events.

Free Ontario Family Fishing Weekend
 
Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish Ontario waters without the otherwise mandatory fishing version outdoors card. The Ontario Government designates two periods throughout the year as license-free, one of these being this Family Day weekend. You can fish license free from February 16-18, 2013 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Monday). In the summer you can also fish license free from July 6-14, 2013 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday). During all other time periods, Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase a valid fishing license to legally fish in Ontario. If you've never been ice fishing, this weekend would be an opportune time to get out there and fish. You can also take a friend fishing.

Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. With the exception of the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits continue to apply during license-free days.

Snowmobile our winter wonderland

Permit Free Snowmobiling

The OFSC is also having a 'Try Our Trails Permit'. The Try Our Trails Permit is only valid for available OFSC trails on Ontario’s Family Day Long Weekend February 16-18, 2013.
  • You will be required to enter your sled license plate number, VIN, make, model and year when applying for this permit.*
  • Print the permit yourself from confirmation email you receive after registering online.
  • Permit must be affixed to your sled.
The OFSC wants to invite new participants, former riders and out‐of province visitors to try OFSC trails at no cost. They encourage all regular permit buyers to invite their families and friends to obtain a 2013 Try Our Trails Permit, so they can Take a Friend Snowmobiling. What a great opportunity to try the OFSC snowmobile trails. Find out more at the Ontario Federation of Snowmobiling Club website. 

Pimp Your Ice Shack at the Dryden Winter Festival
2012 'Pimp Your Ice Shack' Winners

Winter Festivals

Check out the Dryden Winter Festival February 15-18, 2013. Celebrate winter outdoors with family and friends. There's a pancake breakfast, horse drawn sleigh rides, skating, sliding, snow kiting lessons and demos, snow sculpting, family fishing derby and so much more... You can download a printable schedule of Dryden Winter Festival events.

The Vermilion Bay Kin Karnival will kick off on February 14 with the Kin Baby contest at 6:30 p.m. The event continues on Friday with the annual fish fry at the Lions hall. There will be events all day Saturday including a pancake breakfast and a mini kids carnival, and a new event - the trapline challenge dog sled race. It's a mass start at 10:30 at the government dock. After that there will be having a kids mutt run. Sunday events include the Kin Family Fish Derby, which is often called the main event. Those interested in signing up for the fishing derby will be able to at the carnival. For more information on event registration contact Scott McEwan at 227-2904.

Mount Evergreen Ski Hill is open Family Day


There are also many Family Day Activities throughout the cities and towns in Sunset Country.

In Kenora, visit the Kenora Recreation Centre for a free public skate from 12:30-2pm and a free public swim from 1-2:30pm. Mount Evergreen Ski Hill will be open from 10-4pm and they have special pricing for the day. Beaver Creek Ranch is also open from 2-4pm. They will have sleigh rides, petting zoo, crafts and a bonfire.

In Thunder Bay there are lots of great things happening this Family Day weekend! There's Fort William Historical Park's Voyageur Winter Carnival all weekend and Winterfest down at Prince Arthur's Landing on February 18th. 

An “Indoor Planetarium” is coming to the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre on Monday, Feb. 18 (Family Day). Pick up your tickets for one of the six shows, which cost $2/person.

That's just a taste of what's happening in Sunset Country this weekend. Now get off the computer and head outside!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

One of the hottest new travel websites just launched!

northernontario.travel to showcase the incredible travel experiences in the north!

Ontario smallmouth bash fishing - Photo: Ginny Riege
Want to travel to Northern Ontario? Visit the new northernontario.travel website for beautiful photos and articles to help plan your vacation to Ontario. The website covers three sub regions; the Northwest, Algoma and Northeast regions. 

You can also search by experiences such as ATVing, Boating, Fishing, Hunting, Motorcycling, Outdoor Adventures and Snowmobiling

So, what are you waiting for? If you want to experience the ultimate Canadian fishing trip, plan a winter vacation, or soak in the wilderness by canoe, head on over to northernontario.travel.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Turn your Dreams to Reality!

Start Gearing Up for Fishing Season

Muskie are fun to catch!
Yes it's only January and the temperatures in most parts (and certainly in these parts) are still downright chilly! The overnight low with the windchill tomorrow is forecast at -32 Celsius and that is cold! With winter's bluster still squarely in our face, there's no harm in dreaming of the soon to come warm spring days, where the lake is calm and the bite is on.

Teach your kid to fish!
Now is time to remember the feeling of a 4 pound smallmouth or maybe a 15 pound northern. How about walleye, muskie or trout. Who cares really...it's just nice to dream of being out on the water and casting your bait into the sunken timber or jigging the bottom hoping for a bite. The savory taste of fresh walleye shore lunch cooked over an open fire beckons. Yummy!

Catch lake trout!
While you can only dream about it, now is the time of year where you can set things in motion to make those dreams come true and actually book your trip. By booking early you ensure you get the dates you want at the lodge you want on the lake you've heard so much about. Email us for your free travel guide and map and start planning your 2013 trip today!