Families cast lines at FortWhyte Alive during Winnipeg fishing weekend
Posted May 17, 2026 5:20 pm.
Last Updated May 18, 2026 11:06 am.
Despite chilly temperatures and a slow start to spring, Winnipeg families bundled up and headed outdoors this May long weekend for a free family fishing event at FortWhyte Alive.
The annual catch-and-release fishing weekend invited visitors of all ages to try their luck on the water, with many taking advantage of the holiday to spend time outside despite the cold weather.
“It’s nice to see people and there has been a lot of interest,” said Robert Moshenko, volunteer fisheries biologist at FortWhyte Alive. “Unfortunately, today, this weekend because we had it yesterday as well. It’s been cold. As you all know it’s been a very late spring.”
FortWhyte Alive’s lakes are home to four fish species: common carp, northern pike, walleye and yellow perch.
Moshenko said fishing conditions have been challenging because of the cold temperatures, though some larger catches were made earlier in the weekend.
“Only a few caught today. Very slow, very cold, everybody is getting cold fingers so they are not staying here too long,” said Moshenko. “Yesterday we had a few pike caught, a few large pike and a large walleye.”
The event also attracted first-time fishers looking to learn the basics.
“Never. We’ve never fished. So we had to rent our own equipment here,” one attendee said.
Another family said the outing was preparation for a summer full of fishing trips.
“So we can get ready for the summer, we’re gonna go a lot in the summer,” said one young attendee.
For experienced young anglers like Liam, the appeal of fishing goes beyond just catching fish.
“It’s just a fun thing to do when you have nothing else to do and you’re just bored and want to do something,” said Liam.
He also offered his own theory on fish behaviour during the colder weather.
“It’s just a good day to be out also, because the fish aren’t just hiding in the depths, well that what they usually do because its hot out but I think they’re doing that also right now because- I don’t really know why,” said Liam.
