The first steps to making your first catch.

Duncan Day-Myron

Although it may not be on Lake Ontario, Guelph still has enough water in it that there are plenty of fish around for the catching. Bass, pike, perch and crappies are all swimming around in the waters nearby.

Before you get started though, your first step should be to get yourself a fishing licence. To get a fishing licence, you need to an Outdoors Card, which is valid for three years, from the Ministry of Natural Resources, either through some ServiceOntario outlets or through their website. On its own will cost just under $10. With that, you can get two kinds of fishing licences: sport and conservation. The difference between the two comes down to whether you plan to keep your fish.  If you just want to catch and release, then a conservation licence is the way to go. If you want to eat, mount or do something else with your catch, then opt for the sport licence. There’s about a $10 price difference between the two, from just over $25 for Conservation to just under $36 for Sport. These prices include the Outdoors Card, although only include valid fishing licences for one year. Three year fishing licences are also available.

In addition to obtaining these from the MNR, many fishing bait and tackle shops, as well as retailers like Canadian Tire and Walmart do sell them. It’s illegal to fish in any capacity without one, so make sure you get it done first. Although the card will arrive in the mail at a later date, a temporary permit will be provided so you can fish right away.

As far as locations within Guelph, there are many rivers and other bodies of water where you can fish.

First Choice Fishing Tackle Limited, a bait shop located in the north end of town, recommend Guelph Lake as a good place for beginner fishers, but also mention the Speed and Eramosa Rivers, both easily accessible from downtown or campus, as options. If you’re willing to venture a little further afield, there are also two big ponds at the old Guelph Correctional Facility on highway 7 towards Rockwood.

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