Manitoba March Madness Ice Fishing Report, Field Updates, Top Catches and Where to Go

March Madness is Here!

March is one of my favourite months in Manitoba and not just because it is my birthday month. This is when March Madness ice fishing takes over. Shallow pre-spawn walleye, monster tip-up pike and steady action across multiple species all come together in one of the most exciting stretches of the hardwater season.

It is also the month when the Manitoba Master Angler Program records more ice fishing entries than any other time of year. Anglers from across the province head out to make the most of longer days and prime conditions.

Dive into the field reports below, then grab your gear and hit the ice for an unforgettable Manitoba angling experience.

Lake Manitoba Field Report

I have been fishing Lake Manitoba a lot throughout the winter, doing my best to keep a pulse on what the fishery is doing from my end of the lake. For perspective, I have been fishing roughly 50 km north of the popular Twin Lakes Beach area.

So far this winter, the bite was incredible during early ice in the shallows in December. As January rolled around, things stayed fairly consistent in the same zones. [For reference, I fish a shallow bay and when I say the shallows, I am generally talking about 3 to 5 feet of water under the ice.] As February arrived and the snowpack continued to build, the shallow bite really ground to a halt, aside from the odd flurry at last light.

More recently, I have been travelling farther out onto the lake. Using Navionics mapping for Lake Manitoba, I identified an area surrounded by 10 to 12 feet of water that rises up to about 8 feet under the ice. That has been the key for me lately, with excellent walleye fishing, consistent midday action and a hectic, nonstop evening bite starting about an hour before sunset and running about an hour after. Mixed in at this spot has been great burbot fishing and the odd perch.

For perch on Lake Manitoba, I have often found my best success in 8 feet of water or more, frequently near pressure ridges. Mobility matters; keep moving until you start marking fish on the flasher or get a few bites. Once you find the school, the action can hold for most of the afternoon and it can become a reliable area to revisit and pick up where you left off.

Melissa Dohan, 30.50-Inch Burbot, Lake Manitoba

As spring progresses and the snow on the ice begins to melt, walleye typically slide back into late-season patterns in shallow bays and around the mouths of feeder creeks. It can be a phenomenal time to get on the ice and target them; it often lines up with better weather, plus it can be one of the best windows of the season to take a serious run at a Lake Manitoba Master Angler walleye, with days that can also produce strong numbers of fish.

Keevin Erickson, 28.00”-inch Walleye, Lake Manitoba

Looking for something fun to do in March? The RM of Coldwell is running a March Madness Ice Fishing Derby through the Fish Donkey app, open all month and running through the end of walleye season on April 5. Sign up, then fish the Lake Manitoba shorelines within the RM of Coldwell boundaries. Good luck.

RM of Coldwell March Madness Ice Fishing Derby

Baker’s Narrows Lodge Field Report

Cory Burke from Baker’s Narrows Lodge says the northern bite is setting up well for March, especially for anglers who are ready to stay mobile and lean into multi-species opportunities.

On Lake Athapapuskow [the big lake], Cory notes conditions have played a role lately.

“Big lake is fishing a bit slower than normal, lots of snow and the key to numbers is being mobile.”

Where things have really been shining, he says, is the smaller water in the area.

“Little lake has been offering a great multispecies variety, from cisco, walleye, pike, lakers and burbot.”

Looking ahead into March, Cory expects the action to keep building, with classic spring movements starting to show.

“Headed into March the multispecies action really starts to pick up. Big pike is a favorite in March, along with the big walleye moving up shallow.”

And as temperatures begin to climb later in the month, he expects Lake Athapapuskow to respond in a big way.

“Once it starts to warm up, increased action on the big lake with the lake trout.”

Lake Winnipeg Greenbacks Field Report

Dan Kiazyk from Cat Eye Outfitting says his March Madness greenback program on Lake Winnipeg is built around staying efficient, fishing with intent and moving before you waste a prime window.

“When I hit a new spot in spring mode, I cycle through three targeted presentations, but I keep it efficient with no more than 45 minutes total per location before deciding to move on if it’s quiet.”

His approach is a simple rotation that quickly tells you whether fish are willing to chase, react to noise or need a finesse look.

“First 15 minutes, large spoons, aggressive flash and vibration to call fish in from distance.”

“Next 30 minutes, rattle bait, a lipless crank or rattling jigging spoon, sometimes tipped with bait for extra scent or plain if fish are responding to sound and movement.”

“Final 15 minutes, a smaller spoon or jig as a finesse option, tipped or untipped depending on the bite, it often seals the deal on finicky fish.”

The key, he says, is letting the fish tell you what to lean on.

“If I get any hits or there are solid follows during any phase, I stick with whatever triggered them and double down. No love? time to relocate and repeat the cycle elsewhere.”

Dan notes this rotation shines in March when longer days and warming trends have walleye staging and shifting moods, sometimes picky, sometimes reckless.

Late Ice Targets and March Events to Watch

If your March Madness plans go beyond greenbacks, Petro Hrynda points to three late ice bites that can turn an average day into a story, plus a couple of events worth circling on the calendar.

Burbot

Mid to late March is often prime time for burbot, when fish slide up onto shallower shoals to spawn and you can run into them in serious numbers. Petro flags Cedar Lake as one of the best bets, with Lake Manitoba and Kississing Lake also worth a look depending on conditions and timing. If you want a deeper rundown on burbot tactics and locations, check out the Hunt Fish Manitoba Blog: “The Road to March Madness Ice Fishing in Manitoba: Where to Go and What to Target.”

Julia Tully, 32.20-inch burbot, Clearwater Lake

Yellow Perch

Late ice can be a sleeper window for perch, especially as they start grouping shallower ahead of the spring spawn. Petro notes that if March brings a few warm days and an early melt, it can get hectic fast for anglers hunting jumbo perch. If spring stays colder, the stronger push may slide into April. Lakes that set up for March perch include the Interlake Shoal Lakes, Pelican Lake, Oak Lake, Lake Manitoba and more. For a refresh on approach, check out our blog “The Road to March Madness Ice Fishing in Manitoba: Where to Go and What to Target” and “Underrated Ice Fishing Species in Manitoba.”

Petro Hrynda, 13.39-inch yellow perch, West Shoal Lake

Northern Pike

When Petro thinks of March, he thinks big tip-up pike, often peaking late March into early April. For big pike on Lake Winnipeg, classic shallow water areas like the mouth of the Red River, areas around Sandy Bar and Hecla Bar out from Riverton, along with other shallow bays and inflows found across both the north and south basins. Additionally, plenty of anglers head north for big fish opportunities with lodges like Wekusko Falls Lodge, Baker’s Narrows Lodge and Viking Lodge.

For anyone trying to narrow down where the biggest pike are coming from, try using the Manitoba Master Angler record book page and filtering results to guide the search.

Nolan Plew, 41-inch northern pike, Lake Winnipeg

Walleye and Tournament Momentum

Petro says the walleye bite has been strong and late March can be an incredible stretch for both size and numbers on Lake Winnipeg. He also flags the Kickerfish Icebreaker Elite Series as a good way to keep a pulse on what is happening on the ice, including live updates on the late-March events. The Series Championship runs March 28 and 29, 2026, at Warner Road, followed by the B-Side Open on March 29, 2026, also at Warner Road, with details and updates posted through Kickerfish.

For a full greenback-specific breakdown, read up on our blog “Greenback Walleye Frenzy, Lake Winnipeg Ice Fishing 101.”

Derby spotlight

Petro also noted that another event worth mentioning is the Falcon Lake Winter Fish Off on Saturday, March 14, 2026, held at Falcon Lake Main Beach. It is a high-energy derby with a $20,000 grand prize and over $80,000 in guaranteed cash and prizes.

Spring Break on the Ice, Youth Anglers in the Spotlight

With spring break landing this month, many parents, grandparents and family members are looking forward to extra time with the kids in their lives. March is a perfect window to take advantage of longer days, brighter weather and an ice season that still has plenty of adventure left in it.

Emberley Lilley, 10 years old, northern pike, Pelican Lake

There may be no better way to spend that time than taking kids ice fishing. Those simple days on the ice, a warm shack, a few laughs, a fish on the flasher, can be the exact moment a kid falls in love with fishing. Whether it is greenbacks on Lake Winnipeg, crappie in the Whiteshell, perch in the Interlake or exploring northern Manitoba lakes, spring break is an easy chance to turn extra time off into a lifelong passion.

Lee Mason, 11 years old, yellow perch, West Shoal Lake

For more tips on planning a family day on the ice, check out these blogs: “The Guide to Family Friendly Ice Fishing in Manitoba” and “Cold Comfort: A Beginner’s Guide to Stress Free Ice Fishing in Manitoba.”

Aavry Sokoloski, 10 years old, walleye, Lake Winnipeg

To celebrate youth getting outdoors and making the most of Manitoba’s ice fishing season, we are highlighting five of the top youth catches submitted so far this winter in this section.

Paisley Wiebe, 4 years old, yellow perch, Stephenfield Lake

Anson Gervin, 5 years old, northern pike, Oak Lake

Head North and Keep the Ice Season Rolling

Manitoba’s Northern Region is one of the most special ice fishing destinations anywhere. All winter long, the fishing can be outstanding and the fish can be huge, from lake trout and northern pike, to golden walleye, plus stocked trout, burbot and whitefish opportunities. Then March and April arrive and, somehow, it can get even better.

Brandon Elliott, 34.50-Inch Burbot, Kississing Lake

Spring ice fishing in the North is the real deal. Think monster tip-up pike sliding into the shallows, nonstop walleye action in staging areas and reliable lake trout bites that keep producing when many anglers are already thinking about open water.

Jesse Sheppard, 47.50-inch northern pike, Reed Lake

Another big bonus is timing. Once the Southern Division walleye season wraps up, many anglers still have a chance to extend their winter by heading north, where the season typically stays open later into spring [often through April 30]. This period can also be one of the busiest stretches of the year for northern lodges and outfitters, so if you are hoping to book a trip, now is the time to rally a crew and lock in dates for a true northern Manitoba ice fishing experience.

Alcide Grenier, 40-inch lake trout, Clearwater Lake

For regulations and season dates, always check the Manitoba Anglers’ Guide before heading out.

March Madness Top Master Angler Catches

Next up, we are shifting into a quick highlight reel from the Manitoba Master Angler Program. This time, we are featuring some of the top catches from the month of March in recent years, the kind of late ice trophies that keep anglers coming back for one more trip.

Brent Belot, 46.50-inch northern pike, Winnipeg River, 2025

Blake Morken, 31.50-inch walleye, Lake Winnipeg, 2024

Matt Lintott, 50.50-inch lake sturgeon, Assiniboine River, 2023

Owen Shiloff, 38.58-inch lake trout, Clearwater Lake, 2022

Jude Lavack, 30.75-inch walleye, Lake Winnipeg, 2021

Daniel Stagg, 46-inch northern pike, Lake Winnipeg

Ice Safety Comes First

Taking ice safety seriously is an all-winter commitment. There is no such thing as safe ice and as spring settles in and temperatures fluctuate, conditions can change fast.

Check ice thickness often, keep your safety gear accessible, consider a flotation ice fishing suit and be especially cautious around moving water.

This year, heavy snow has also limited travel on many lakes. Wheeled traffic is very limited, and many bodies of water are effectively accessible only to tracked machines right now. Plan accordingly, use caution on access routes, travel in groups when possible and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be home.

For a full refresher on best practices, visit the Hunt Fish Manitoba blog “Top Ice Safety Tips for Manitoba Anglers.

Find Your Fish, Finish the Season Strong

If there is a species you have been dreaming about targeting this March Madness, start with the Manitoba Master Angler Record Book. Filter through the thousands of catches to see which bodies of water are producing the biggest fish right now or which lakes have historically delivered standout March trophies. It is one of the best tools available for narrowing down a game plan and turning a good idea into a great day on the ice.

From there, it is all about matching the moment. Use the field reports and on-ice updates to dial in on patterns, keep an eye on late-ice bites as fish shift toward spring staging areas and do not be afraid to chase new water if conditions call for it. If you have kids at home for spring break, even better, this is one of the most memorable times of the year to get them on the ice and build that lifelong fishing spark.

Wherever you go, keep safety at the center of the plan, especially this season with heavy snow limiting travel on many lakes. And if you are still itching for more ice after the southern walleye season wraps up, heading north can be the perfect way to extend winter for a few more weeks.

For anglers looking to head out with a lodge or an outfitter this month, check out our blog “Best Ice Fishing Spots in Manitoba: A Winter Guide to the Season Ahead” for some fantastic options and more.

March Madness Ice Fishing Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the best time in March to ice fish in Manitoba?

All month can produce, but mid-to-late March is often a prime window. Longer days, warming trends and pre-spawn movements can create strong bite windows for walleye, pike, perch and burbot. It is also one of the busiest periods for Master Angler entries, underscoring the opportunity across the province.

2. Where should I travel for a March ice fishing trip in Manitoba?

It depends on your target species. Lake Winnipeg is famous for greenback walleye and late-season pike. Lake Manitoba offers strong opportunities for walleye and perch. The Interlake and Westman regions can shine for perch and multi-species action. Northern Manitoba is ideal for lake trout, trophy pike and extending the season later into spring. Using the Manitoba Master Angler Record Book can help narrow down which waters are producing top fish.

3. Are ice fishing lodges and outfitters still operating in March?

Yes, and for many northern lodges, March and April are some of the busiest times of the winter. Anglers looking for guided greenback trips or lake trout adventures should book early. March is a fantastic time to combine great fishing with comfortable accommodations and local expertise. To find an Ice Fishing operator, visit our blog: “Best Ice Fishing Spots in Manitoba: A Winter Guide to the Season Ahead” for all that and more.

4. Is March a good time to bring kids or beginners ice fishing?

Absolutely. Spring break often lines up with improving weather and longer daylight hours, making it one of the most enjoyable times to introduce kids to ice fishing. Many lakes offer easy access, plowed roads and community ice villages, while outfitters can provide heated shelters and gear to simplify the experience. Check out our Blog: “The Guide to Family-Friendly Ice Fishing in Manitoba” to learn more.

5. What should I consider before planning a March ice fishing trip?

Always review current regulations and season dates in the Manitoba Anglers’ Guide before heading out. Pay close attention to ice conditions, especially during warming periods. With heavy snow in some areas, travel may be limited to tracked machines. Plan ahead, travel with others when possible and let someone know your route and return time. To learn more about ice safety, visit our blog: “Top Ice Safety Tips for Manitoba Anglers.”