The province is encouraging Manitobans to embrace winter and try ice fishing over the long weekend.

Feb. 17 to Feb. 19 is Winter Family Fishing Weekend, an opportunity for anglers to fish without a licence in the province, except in national parks where a federal angling licence is still required.

“This is a great opportunity to experience ice fishing as an enjoyable recreational activity, and we are fortunate to have endless quality opportunities across Manitoba to drop a line in the water,” said Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses. “This winter has been milder than usual, and while cooler temperatures have returned to Manitoba, we encourage everyone to check ice and weather conditions before travelling onto the ice.”

Anglers must follow all possession limits and size restrictions, including regulations for specific individual waters. 

In addition to the Winter Family Fishing Weekend, the province is also offering free entry into provincial parks during February.