The cold snap that hit southern Manitoba last month has suddenly increased the amount of avid winter anglers getting out onto the ice.

The warm weather in early November and December meant popular fishing spots like the Red River took a little longer to freeze up this season. Katherine Ward, Recreational Fishing Program Manager with Manitoba Conservation Wildlife and Fisheries talks about the slow start to the season.

Ice fishing shacks."The ice didn't have a chance to freeze so people weren't able to get out onto the ice but then we got some cool weather end of December, early January which helped build the ice."

Ward says the ice is now roughly ten inches thick along the Red River which is safe for fishing, but not thick enough to take bigger vehicles onto however, smaller vehicles such as snowmobiles or quads have been seen on the ice which should be safe at this time.. She adds people are heading out in crowds with many hundreds setting up shacks and portable shelters. According to local anglers, December and into early January is the time to fish the Red River, but after that, the pattern becomes a bit more sporadic and the fish become harder to find.

Anglers also face different rules when fishing in winter compared to summer. In winter, anglers are allowed to use two rods with only two hooks or lures per line and must stay within fifty meters of the lines at all times. All ice fishing shelters must be removed by March 13th, 2016, and on the Red River by March 31st unless requested to do so by a conservation officer due to unsafe ice conditions. All shelters must clearly state the name and address of the owner and need to be stored or disposed of away from the shore and on private property.