Top 5 Reasons to Ice Fish in Manitoba

There are many reasons to visit but we have narrowed it down to the Top 5. Hopefully this list helps to convince you to choose Manitoba for your next ice fishing adventure.

5. Longest season

Our ice fishing window of opportunity is notoriously long spanning from as early as mid-November all the way to late April. Ice heads who either can’t wait to hit safe ice in the fall or haven’t had their fill yet come spring can venture onto our frozen lakes when most other places are ice free. Most species including walleye are open to be targeted during the entire hard water season with only the latest portion of April closing to all species aside from trout.

4. Drive-to accessible hardwater

World-class lakes and rivers are endless across the province. There is no shortage of places that can be accessed by paved road right up to the frozen shorelines. Whether you choose to tackle the winter landscape by truck, sled, or ATV, there are an ample amount of access points onto our incredible fisheries. Do-it-yourself with ease while still counting on a high probability of success on a variety of bodies of water.

3. Professional Outfitters and Lodges

Every region in Manitoba has multiple guiding outfits and lodges that offer ice fishing options for every level of angler and budget. Expertise and experience on their respective bodies of water ensure that your trip is first-class and successful every time out. Whether you are after world famous Lake Winnipeg greenback walleyes, monster lake trout in the North, or anything else in between, there is an outfitter or lodge for you.

2. Master Angler Program

The longest-running trophy fish recognition program of its kind, the Master Angler Program has helped to recognize hundreds of thousands of amazing catches through the ice. Register your qualifying trophy fish to receive certificates, specialist badges, and online recognition of your accomplishments. Chasing after lake, river, and province-wide records by species is possible via the Record Book on our website which posts real-time rankings.

1. Trophy fish

Every hole you drill in Manitoba offers a chance at a true fish of a lifetime. The deck is stacked in your favour considering we boast some of the top walleye, lake trout, and northern pike bodies of water on the continent. Master Angler benchmarks by length are set quite high and yet thousands of fish are caught and registered every ice season. If you are flat out after big fish, there is no other place that you should be considering than Manitoba.

For more information on ice fishing in Manitoba, visit our Ice Fishing page.