Here's a short video explaining who we are and what we do

from CTV Morning News in Ottawa

(July 28, 2025)

Our 2025 Season Has Started!

Make sure to wave if you see us on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa or on the Rideau River in Manotick!

This summer, our volunteer crews are delighted to welcome nearly 1,700 guests with special needs for free boat rides and fishing trips!

Did you catch us at the Ottawa Outdoor & Adventure Travel Show in April?

Once again this year, we were thrilled to promote the benefits of our free service, recruit new members, and run our ever-popular minnow race!

Our 2024 Season Was a Huge Success!

We welcomed nearly 1,600 guests across our three locations in the Ottawa area.

Thanks to all our volunteer crews of captains and mates!

We look forward to taking even more groups of people with special needs on the water in 2025.

See you next summer!

We thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation

for their generous support.

The grant we received in 2024, will allow us to refurbish one of our boats during the off-season. In addition to increased space capacity, this will provide a more comfortable experience to our guests.

We thank the Ottawa Community Foundation

for their generous support.

The grant we received in 2024 will allow us to purchase new nautical and safety equipment. This will ensure that our boats continue to provide a pleasant and safe experience to our guests.

Please Consider Making a Donation Today - Click Here

Catch A Smile / Friends in Sportfishing is a volunteer-run, charitable organization offering free boating and fishing experiences for groups of people with special needs in our community.

We operate a fleet of 3 twenty-eight foot pontoon boats that have been modified to make them accessible. We provide the boats, crews, safety equipment and all the fishing gear you will need.

Activities are conducted under the guidance, supervision and support of an elected Board of Directors who also volunteer their time as captains and mates on our boats.

Founded in 1993 by Lionel Pauzé from Lanark, Ontario, we continue to grow and offer trips to an ever wider range of guests. Lionel observed how therapeutic boating and fishing was for people who rarely have the opportunity to experience nature and the thrill of fishing. His vision is our mission.

In 2023, we celebrated our 30th anniversary by welcoming more than 1,500 guests!

We thank all the community groups that booked more than 200 trips at our three Ottawa-area locations. Our volunteer crews were delighted to serve you. We look forward to having you on board again next summer.

If you enjoyed your trip, spread the word. We are always happy to meet new groups and introduce more people to the joys of being on the water.

See the CBC story (text & video) about us, published in August 2022!

Current President Pat O'Brien (2023-25)

The late Dave Smith (left), a major donor, and past president Peter Homulos at our 25-year anniversary reception in 2018.