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This weekend is a long weekend in most provinces and territories of Canada.
Several provinces across Canada are opening their waters to anglers without a fishing licence during the Family Day long weekend, from February 14 to 16, 2026, as part of annual free fishing programs.
These licence-free days are meant to give families and new anglers a chance to try fishing. Standard fishing regulations remain in effect, and anyone fishing in Canadian National Parks must still carry a national park fishing licence.
There are quite a few ice fishing competitions scheduled for the weekend, such as the Island Lake Fishing Derby at Orangeville, Bluewater Anglers Icefishing Derby at Sarnia Bay and the Harbour Harvest Ice Fishing Derby in Ottawa.
February long weekend activities in Canada.
Alberta:
Family Fishing Weekend (February 14 to 16): Albertans and visitors can fish on waterbodies with open fishing seasons without purchasing a sportfishing licence. If you hold a Special Harvest Licence (Walleye tag), you must still purchase a sportfishing licence.
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Saskatchewan:
Free Fishing Weekend (February 14-16):
While a fishing licence won’t be required for residents or visitors angling during the Family Day weekend, all other regulations apply, like possession limits and reduced limits on certain waterbodies. Anyone planning on transporting fish outside of the province will require a valid Saskatchewan angling licence.
You may like: Places to Go Ice Fishing in Saskatchewan
Manitoba:
Free Fishing Weekend (February 14-16): Anglers may fish without a licence in the province, except in national parks where a federal angling licence is still required.
Anglers may retain up to a conservation licence limit of fish, which includes four walleye/sauger, four northern pike, two smallmouth bass, one lake trout, one channel catfish and two stocked trout. Regular limits apply for those who already have a regular angling licence, and all other angling regulations apply this weekend, including regulations for individual waters.
Louis Riel Day weekend fishing is part of Manitoba’s Free Fishing Days, which mark their twice-yearly event in June.
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Ontario:
Fish Ontario License Free (February 14-16): Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. Except for the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits apply during license-free days.
Family Day weekend fishing is part of a broader schedule that includes four licence-free periods each year.
New Brunswick:
Fish New Brunswick Days (February 14 to 16): Anglers may fish for all species without purchasing a licence. However, anglers wishing to retain landlocked salmon from 48 cm to 63 cm (fork length) require a licence with tags. Non-residents may fish without a guide or licence on these days.
All current bag limits, closures and other restrictions are still in effect on Fish NB Days. Access to private waters, Crown Reserve waters, and Crown Leases requires the appropriate licences and permission from the landowner.
Nova Scotia:
Sport Fishing Weekends (February 14 to 16): Nova Scotia is hosting its annual winter free sportfishing weekend during Heritage Day weekend, and residents and non-residents can fish without a general fishing licence.
You may like Upcoming License-Free Fishing Days in Canada.
