'Such a great place": families try out ice fishing at FortWhyte Alive
Winnipeg families took to the ice at FortWhyte Alive Saturday to try their hand at ice fishing.
The nature centre's annual Ice Fishing Festival was an all-day event introducing people to the popular winter sport.
The free event was put on by the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.
Event coordinator Chris Benson said more than 800 people braved the frigid temperatures.
"Manitobans are a hearty bunch. We grow up in a climate that is very cold, so even on a day that's a little more chilly out, we're hearty enough to come out and enjoy the day," he said.
No fishing licences were required, participants could just show up, drill their hole and drop their line.
Benson said ice fishing is a fun activity for the whole family to do together. "It's an activity that moms and dads can take their kids out. We have a really strong ice fishing community here in the province."
For Phil Cavey, it was a chance to try something he'd always wanted to do. "Ice fishing has been on the radar for a long time," he said. "I'm very happy to have my family out with me today trying it for the first time."
Cavey said it was a great way to spend a Saturday. "Fort Whyte Alive is such a great place, we wanted to do some outdoor activities today anyway, so when we went to the website we found that today was ice fishing day, so that was just perfect," he said.
Cavey's son Jersey was having fun, despite not catching anything yet. "I want to catch a tiger fish!" he said.
Benson said people can catch all kids of different fish this time of year. "There's a number of species, there's walleye, northern pike, perch, there's carp. There's a real diversity here of the different species."
He said this spring's chilly weather will likely allow people to continue ice fishing right up until the end of the season in a few weeks.
Benson said the success of this year's event means the MWF will do it again. "We're definitely going to be here next year, introducing a bunch of new people to ice fishing."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.