Water rescue crews pulled a dead body from the Assiniboine River.

Around 8 p.m. Wednesday, two people told CTV News they were fishing and spotted a body in the river near the Maryland Bridge. They tried to pull the body in but couldn't, so they called for help.

They believed the body was female, but police later confirmed it was male.

"We were down Dominion and Westminster,Wolseley, and the body was floating about fifteen yards out and I tried reeling her in but I snagged on her body. Chased her down the river a bit and came here, called it in," said Jordan Trachilis.

Trachilis' friend, Ashley Boon, said this happens all too often in Winnipeg's rivers.

"It’s ridiculous and something needs to happen. Like, we need to change this. This is unbelievable," she said.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service sent a water rescue boat and brought the deceased to shore behind the Misericordia Health Centre.

The Winnipeg Police Service could not provide details about the victim’s age, or how long the body had been in the water. There did not appear to be any water rescue calls earlier in the day.

Police said an autopsy is pending, but foul play is not suspected in the case.