It's no secret that Manitoba offers serene fishing opportunities for many and now avid fishers can enjoy casting off even more. 

"As new regulations come into effect, anglers will be able to experience a whole new fishing adventure," says Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt. "It’s exciting to be able to catch species such as northern pike and smallmouth bass during a time that has traditionally been closed. The Manitoba government encourages everyone to explore the province’s world-class fisheries."

This year-round opportunity to catch new species begins on April 1, according to the news release today. 

To keep the different species of fish alive and thriving, anglers are only able to fish certain species during scheduled times throughout the year. 

Walleye fishing will be closed starting April 3 this season. The walleye fishing season opens in the Southern fishing division on May 13, except on Lake Winnipeg, which opens one week later on May 20, and in the Northwest and North Central fishing divisions, which will also open May 20.

A few areas will be closed to all fishing this spring to protect spawning stocks including the Red River between Lockport Dam and Lake Winnipeg, Dauphin Lake and its tributaries, excluding the Vermilion Reservoir, and the Assiniboine River downstream of the Portage Diversion to Provincial Road 240.

On Monday, people can purchase new angling licences online or at participating vendors. Annual licences will be valid starting May 1 and new one-day angling licences will be valid for chosen dates.

All Manitoba anglers have to purchase and carry a fishing licence on them or their mobile device. The exception to this are seniors as well as active military members and veterans who reside in Manitoba. 

All the details can be found on their website in the 2023 Manitoba Anglers’ Guide.