Family Fishing Day at Grenadier Pond
City of Toronto Parks, Forest and Recreation representatives will join members of the community of all ages to celebrate Family Fishing Day at Grenadier Pond in High Park. Bring your own rod and reel, and worms will be provided (a limited number of fishing rods will be available to borrow).
Date: Saturday, July 5 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: Grenadier Pond in High Park, 1873 Bloor St. W.
this year, 2008, Family Fishing Day doubles into Family Fishing Weekend with a second day at:
Date: Sunday, July 6 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: Centre Island, across Manitou Bridge near the boathouse
Public information: 416-392-8192
Fish for free in High Park
Family Fishing Day celebrates natural fishing in natural places. High Park is accessible by TTC for natural recreation all year round.
An Ontario angling licence is not required for this event, courtesy of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Normally, anglers 18-64 years of age must have an Ontario resident angling licence in order to fish.
According to Recreationist Allan Crawford, there are as many as 12 species of fish in Grenadier Pond, resulting from a new fish habitat created by biologists and professional anglers at the City of Toronto.
"What this means is, we have natural resources in this clean and beautiful city. You don't have to go out of town. You don't have to go to a cottage or to summer camp," said Crawford referring to the pond and surrounding waterways, including Toronto Island, Eglinton Flats and Humber River, "all great places to go."
Mike Correa, an environment technician with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, an avid fisherman himself, will be on hand at the event again this year to offer a demonstration of an 18-foot fishing boat that is used for fishery monitoring.
"It allows us to look at the aquatic population," Crawford said. "The fish in Grenadier Pond are healthy."
This is the fifth year and attracts approximately 500 people. Family fishing day gives kids who might not necessarily be exposed to such activities a chance to take part, to be one with nature.
"What's more Canadian than fishing," Crawford says. "For families, it's hard to keep young kids interested. We're having a special day at the zoo, 'a meet the keeper day.' It's a fun family day - we want to highlight fishing, but also that there's lots to do in High Park."
There will be contests, prizes and demonstrations. The Parkdale-High Park Rotary Club will be on hand with its 'chip wagon.' The day will promote responsible fishing - "we hope people will practice catch and release," Crawford said, teach environmental basics and raise awareness of all the other attractions in the park, such as the Adventure Playground and Hawk Hill, Crawford said. There's no admission, he stressed.
"You've got a little Muskoka in the middle of the city," he said.
"We're bringing all these people together, breaking down barriers and challenging young people," Crawford said
Family fishing day starts at 10 a.m. and continues rain or shine until 3 p.m.
Anglers aged 18 to 64, who must have a fishing license to fish, are exempt from the regulation on this day.
