OFAH | Mario Cortellucci Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre

LAST CALL! If you want to stay up to date on the latest from the OFAH Heritage Centre, follow Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Stay connected and don't miss out.

As of July 18, 2024 this page will no longer be active.

Teachers, did you miss the opportunity to get your class booked in for a field trip last year at the Heritage Centre? Well don’t miss out this coming year! We book up fully from April until June, so get your request in early. Head over to our website and complete the field trip request form today. https://hfhc.ca/educational-experiences/field-trip/

REMINDER: If you want to stay up to date on the latest from the OFAH Heritage Centre, follow the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Stay connected and don't miss out.

As of July 18, 2024 this page will no longer be active.

Educators, we want to thank you for your support of our programming here at the OFAH’s Heritage Centre this past school year. If you borrowed a Conservation Crate, brought your class in for a field trip, used our Virtual Lessons or any of our other educational programming you were an integral part of our success this past school year and we wanted to take a moment to recognize you and thank you for the support! Have a wonderful summer!

REMINDER: If you want to stay up to date on the latest from the OFAH Heritage Centre, follow Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Stay connected and don't miss out.

As of July 18, 2024 this page will no longer be active.

Have you seen it yet? What are we talking about?

The HFHC’s newest Virtual Lesson all about Fishing Facts. If you haven’t, you should head over to youtube.com/ and check it out. Learn about the history of fishing, and some interesting facts about the pursuit of fish and fish themselves!

We’re moving! Starting now you can access all new OFAH Heritage Centre content on the main OFAH page. Follow the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for all the latest news and updates. Stay connected and don't miss out.

As of July 18, 2024 this page will no longer be active.

Did you know that Ontario is home to the world's most rare trout species? It's true! The Aurora Trout, which is a colour variant of the Brook Trout, exists in only 12 lakes here in Ontario. It was discovered in the 1920's in the North Eastern region of the province in only 3 lakes. The population of trout in these lakes unfortunately collapsed in the 1980's due to acid rain causing acidic conditions in the water. Luckily, a biologist in the region had taken brood stock to a hatchery, where young Aurora Trout were reared and these original 3 lakes, along with 9 other lakes, were able to be stocked for the future.

Learn more about this and other interesting acts by checking out our Fascinating Facts Series on YouTube at youtube.com/

Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake have an invader that threatens many fish species popular amongst anglers. Spiny waterfleas stand out as an invasive species due to the harm they can cause during the growing period of juvenile fish. Spiny waterfleas reproduce rapidly and consume native zooplankton. As a result, young sport fishes such as yellow perch, bass, and walleye see decreased food supplies in the presence of these small crustaceans. Spiny waterfleas can inhabit live wells, bilge waters, and angling equipment, so keeping a keen eye out for these invaders is necessary to avoid spreading them.

If you see an aquatic invasive species, take a photo, note your location, and report it to your local invasive species organization to help prevent their spread!

Ontario: www.EDDMapS.org or call 1-800-563-7711

Manitoba: www.Manitoba.ca/StopAIS or call 1-87-STOP AIS-0

Minnesota: www.EDDMapS.org or call 1-888-MINNDNR

If you're interested in learning more about the impacts of spiny waterfleas and other invasive species on walleye, check out this video by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN9sIzxj6L8

Become an OFAH NXT-GEN Ambassador!

Our NXT-GEN program gives young people the opportunity to be part of the future of conservation. Providing direct feedback to the OFAH, joining us at events like the Toronto Sportsmen's Show, and sitting on our Advisory Committees - these are just a few of the things our NXT-GEN Ambassadors get to experience.

Apply for the July 2024 to June 2025 term at www.ofah.org/ofah-nxt-gen/ before the Sunday, June 2 deadline.

Folks, mark your calendars and cue up our YouTube page! This Saturday, June 1st, we will be dropping our newest Virtual Lesson in the Fascinating Facts series. This month we will be learning some interesting tidbits all about Fishing. Head over to youtube.com/ on Saturday and check it out!

Visitors, we just wanted to let you know that we will be closed this week between 10am and 2pm most days due to hosting field trips. We will be open between 2pm and 4pm for drop ins, but have had to adjust our schedule for this week as we are very busy with school groups.

It's nesting season for the Eastern Wild turkey. Did you know that it takes hens about two weeks to lay a full complement of nine to 13 eggs? Hens will only visit the nesting site long enough to deposit her egg for the day. The rest of her time will be spent elsewhere feeding and roosting. At the end of the laying period, incubation starts. During this time, the hen puts herself in danger to stay on the nest day and night for about 28 days before the chicks hatch.

Coldwater fish, through the lens of ecology and fishing, refers to fish species that prefer to inhabit waterbodies or depth zones with much lower temperatures than the average temperate water. Salmonids (e.g. salmon, trout, char and graylings) are a classic example of such types of fish, like this Brown Trout, seen here.

Are you or someone you know between the ages of 15-30 and looking to gain experience working in the conservation field?

The OFAH is looking for three hard-working individuals to assist with the Invading Species Awareness Program in Peterborough, Belleville, or Port McNicoll.

Working with partner organizations, our Summer Technicians will assist with the implementation of invasive species management projects, attend and provide support to community events, conduct presentations and training sessions, participate in and coordinate stewardship and monitoring activities, and more!

For more details and to apply before the May 26 deadline, please visit www.ofah.org/jobs

Teachers there is only one loan period left this school year to get one of our awesome Conservation Crates into your classroom! Bookings are still available for our June loan period. Book yours now by heading over to hfhc.ca/conservation-crates/ then select the grade/theme that you would like and we will take care of the rest. Bookings are FREE for local pickup from the Heritage Centre and are a $40 flat rate for shipping anywhere in the province of Ontario!

As fry, Atlantic Salmon hunt for benthic macroinvertebrates.

These are invertebrates that live at the bottom of streams that we can see with our eyes! These bugs are not only an important part of a salmon’s diet but can also be used as an indicator of stream health!

Get out fishing with Mom this weekend!

Free Fishing Starts TOMORROW! Spend some quality time with your mom outdoors this weekend trying your luck catching some fish! All anglers must follow the Ontario Fishing Regulations while participating in Free fishing.

Earlier this week, our Community Hatchery Program visited hatchery volunteers at the Westport Area Outdoors Association.
The volunteers are pictured here in the hatchery building with the baby walleye (eggs). This dedicated group has been operating the walleye hatchery in Westport, Ontario for decades. Once the Walleye hatch in the jars (pictured) they will be taken to large outdoor ponds to raise to summer fingerling size before being released in lakes each summer. This group and others in Ontario are looking for new volunteers to help raise the fish from spring to early summer each year. To volunteer check out our webpage for the Community Hatchery Program volunteer map with contact information for the over 40 groups we support in Ontario.

Public fish for public waters in Ontario!

Be tick safe this spring!

Keeping vigilant about ticks - Ontario OUT of DOORS Warming temperatures remind us ticks are out and biting. Here are some precautions you can take to have a tick-free summer.

Need Mother's Day plans? Go fishing with mom! Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without buying a fishing licence this weekend.

Teachers, there is only one loan period remaining to get your hands on one of our Conservation Crates during this 2023/24 School Year! We still have crates remaining for June. Head over to hfhc.ca/conservation-crates/ and book yours today. The loan is FREE with a $40 flat rate for shipping anywhere in the province, or entirely FREE for those who can arrange pickup from us directly. We'd love to get our crates in front of your young learners!

Our newest Virtual Lesson from the Fascinating Facts Series has been out for a few days now. Have you seen it yet? This month we fly into the interesting world of Migratory Birds. Head over to our website or YouTube page (youtube.com/) and check it out now! Once you're done, hit the Resources section of our webpage for free printable activity pages that link directly to the Virtual Lesson!

Only a few more days to apply to work with our awesome team!

Between the ages of 15 to 30 and looking for work this summer?

The OFAH is looking to fill the positions of Lead Day Camp Counsellor (1) and Day Camp Counsellor (3) for our OFAH Get Outdoors youth program. Working from Monday to Friday, the selected candidates will provide campers with an award-winning conservation and leadership program that gives today’s youth firsthand exposure to our rich outdoor heritage.

To learn more and submit your application before the May 5 deadline, please visit www.ofah.org/jobs

Did you know that the Arctic Tern is the migratory bird species which travels further than any other on the planet? Tune in to our YouTube channel youtube.com/ next Wednesday, the 1st of May to learn more about this species and a whole bunch more about Migratory Birds in our upcoming Virtual Lesson.

Turkey season is upon us! And just like this female visitor to the Heritage Centre last week, we are on the hunt for toms and jakes as well. Will you be out chasing turkeys over the next month or so?

In advance of their fall migration, migratory birds begin to gorge themselves. The flurry of activity around this time of year reflects this frantic, single-minded pursuit of food. This state of heavy feeding is called hyperphagia, and is very common is species like this Blackpoll Warbler, who is known to double its body weight in advance of migration! Learn more about this and more in our upcoming Virtual Lesson, which will be released on May 1st!

Parents, we still have spots remaining during three weeks of our awesome Summer Day Camp program here at the Heritage Centre. We have availability the weeks of July 1st, and 15th, as well as the week of August 26th. Head over to https://hfhc.ca/programs-camps/ofah-summer-day-camp/ and get your child signed up before this amazing opportunity for a summer camp they'll never forget is gone! Link also in bio.

Teachers, time is running out! We only have two loan periods remaining during the 2023//24 school year. Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to book a grade specific, curriculum-linked Conservation Crate! Bookings are totally FREE for local pickup from the Heritage Centre in Peterborough, or we will ship anywhere in the province for a $40 flat rate. Head over to hfhc.ca/conservation-crates/ today and book yours before time runs out!

Have you registered for the 2024 OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby yet?

The youth derby is taking place on Saturday, April 27 with the all-ages derby running from Sunday, April 28 to Sunday, May 5. All anglers must be registered to participate. Register online at: www.ofah.org/underthelock

Thanks to the generous support of local businesses, participants can look forward to another year of incredible prizes – everything from fishing rods, tackle boxes, to camping equipment, mountain bikes and cash prizes. As always, the “Big Fish” grand prize package will also be awarded to anyone who catches the elusive, Walter. This year’s grand prize is $1000 cash.

We’ll see you there!

Come work with us!

Between the ages of 15 to 30 and looking for work this summer?

The OFAH is looking to fill the positions of Lead Day Camp Counsellor (1) and Day Camp Counsellor (3) for our OFAH Get Outdoors youth program. Working from Monday to Friday, the selected candidates will provide campers with an award-winning conservation and leadership program that gives today’s youth firsthand exposure to our rich outdoor heritage.

To learn more and submit your application before the May 5 deadline, please visit www.ofah.org/jobs