The Manitoba Wildlife Federation, in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, conducted the 2024 Red River Creel Survey to capture the vibrant winter ice fishing activity between Lockport and the mouth of Lake Winnipeg. From January 5 to March 11, 2024, our Creel Clerks surveyed nearly 8,200 anglers providing valuable insights into fishing activity, catch rates, and species composition. This survey would not have been possible without the participation of thousands of recreational anglers, whose contributions are essential to managing and preserving the fishery, along with our dedicated Creel Survey Clerks.
Key Findings
- Fishing Effort and Access-Specific Participation:
An estimated 11,686 anglers spent over 45,500 hours fishing across four main access points:- Lockport: 3,295 anglers
- CIL Road: 5,284 anglers
- End of Main (EOM): 2,240 anglers
- Selkirk Park: 867 anglers
These numbers highlight the popularity of Lockport and CIL Road as prime ice fishing locations.
- Detailed Catch Data:
Anglers reeled in an impressive 49,425 fish, including:- Sauger: 33,985 (69% of the total catch, with only 5% harvested)
- Walleye: 11,364 (23% of the total catch, with 29% harvested)
- Goldeye: 3,646 (7%)
- Other species (burbot, northern pike, yellow perch, and lake whitefish) made up the remaining 1%.
- Lockport Leads the Pack:
Lockport stood out with anglers averaging nearly two walleye per outing, making it the most productive site surveyed. In addition to this, the survey discovered that Lockport was more popular during weekdays where we seen increased activity at the other locations on the weekends. - Walleye Remain Top Table Fare:
Despite sauger being the most caught species, walleye were harvested at a much higher rate—highlighting their appeal to anglers.
Why It Matters
This survey demonstrates why the Red River remains a favorite winter destination for recreational anglers. Accessible fishing, diverse species, and robust fish populations create a unique angling experience. Importantly, the data gathered supports sustainable management practices to balance ecological health and economic benefits for Manitoba.
We extend our thanks to all the anglers who participated in this survey. Your time, insights, and voluntary creel card submissions are critical to ensuring the Red River fishery thrives for generations to come.
https://mwf.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Red-River-Creel-Survey.pdf
