Manitobans and visitors are invited to take part in ice fishing for free throughout the province during this year’s Winter Family Fishing Weekend, scheduled for February 15 to 17.
“This is a great opportunity to experience ice fishing and participate in a recreational activity that continues to grow in popularity each year,” said Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie. “Whether you are new to fishing or an experienced angler, this is an excellent time to gather family and friends on the ice and try catching one of the many diverse fish species found in our province.”
From Feb. 15 to 17, anglers may fish without a licence in the province, except in national parks where a federal angling licence is still required.
Anglers must follow all possession limits and size restrictions during this weekend including regulations for specific individual waters.
For more information about all provincial angling regulations, refer to the Manitoba Anglers’ Guide at gov.mb.ca.
To ensure ice fishing is safe and enjoyable, anglers should always check ice conditions before travelling onto ice, wear weather-appropriate clothing and tell someone where they will be fishing, noted the minister.
In addition to the Winter Family Fishing Weekend, the Manitoba government is also offering free entry into provincial parks during the month of February. Vehicle permits are not required but Snopasses are still required for snowmobiles using groomed trails in the parks. For more information about Manitoba parks, visit gov.mb.ca.
Anglers are also reminded to clean, drain and dry their ice-fishing gear to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). See the winter season checklist, which is a step-by-step resource to help ensure compliance with AIS regulations, at gov.mb.ca.
For more information on AIS, including locations of AIS control zones, visit manitoba.ca.
