Albertans are being encouraged to abandon their mid-winter binge-watching sessions and try their hand at ice fishing.

It’s fishing week in Alberta and it all kicks off with a free family fishing this weekend.

That means residents and visitors of all ages can drop a line in any public water body that has an open fishing season, Feb. 15-17, without needing a license. The province says it’s a great opportunity for people to try out ice fishing if they’ve never done it before.

“Let’s celebrate that we live in one of the most majestic places on the planet with a diverse landscape and a wealth of natural resources – including lakes, rivers, and streams,” said Jason Nixon, minister of Environment and Parks. “Family Fishing Weekend and Alberta Fishing Week are great opportunities for families to get out and connect with each other and with our province’s natural beauty.”

Regulations still apply during both Family Fishing Weekend and Alberta Fishing Week. Any fishing inside a national park will still require a license.

Family Fishing Weekends happen twice annually, on Family Day weekend in February and on the second weekend in July. No fishing license is required, but fishing regulations still apply. For the remainder of Alberta Fishing Week (Feb. 18-22) Albertans will require a valid license.

Here in Cochrane, there is also a gigantic Kids Can Catch Day hosted by the Alberta Conservation Association in mid-June at Mitford Pond for families to enjoy. Conservation information and tips from seasoned anglers are available onsite. Major sponsors include Canadian Tire's Jumpstart and the Town of Cochrane.