WINNIPEG – Fishing season in Manitoba is officially open in Southern Manitoba and will open in remaining areas on May 19th.

Minister Rochelle Squires said in a release, no matter where you fish the province is asking people to respect the rules around moving watercraft, water-related equipment and firewood.

“Manitobans are hooked on fishing, and so are the tourists who are lured to visit our beautiful lakes and rivers, generating more than $200 million in direct and indirect impacts to our economy,” said Squires. “That’s a lot of lines in the water, and we want to remind and encourage all anglers to be sure they clean, drain and dry their boats to protect our rivers and lakes from aquatic invasive species.”

All anglers need an angling licence to fish in Manitoba, except the following people:

• youth under the age of 16 who have permanently resided in Manitoba for at least six months;
• any Canadian resident or non-resident youth under the age of 16 and the person must fish with a licence holder or someone exempt from holding a licence, and their catch must be applied to the limit of that person; or
• Indigenous harvesters.

Angling licences are available at numerous licence vendors throughout the province.