Manitobans eager to enjoy winter hobbies hope for frostier conditions soon
An El Niño winter means some favourite pastimes for Manitobans could be on the backburner for a bit longer.
Eric Stone, owner of Red River Cats in Lockport, says ice fishing season is already a couple weeks behind.
He has usually been able to get on the ice around Dec. 20 in previous years, but says ice fishing season came a bit late this winter.
"Two weeks ago, there wasn't anybody here and ... it's just been slowly building," he told CBC on Wednesday.
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"Last year, we were already on the river," he said. "It's taking a bit longer for the ice to freeze, so it took us a bit longer to get out."
Stone says the 12 inches (30.4 centimetres) of ice at the Lockport Ice Fishing Village in Lockport, Man. is a bit thinner than usual but means it's finally safe for walking.
He said the Red River is open water further south.
"I have a lot of people that are upset. They've been trying to snowmobile and ski, and it's definitely a little harder with no snow."
Ice fishing for walleye is one of the only activities Joel Fisette says he can do in the mild weather.
"It's been a challenge," he said on Wednesday. "Snowmobiling's out, sliding is out. Skiing, snowboarding is iffy."
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The weather meant no cold fingers or toes while he fished, but Fisette said he hopes for colder weather and more snow soon.
'The snow will come'
A majority of the province stayed above -20 C temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday, while parts of northern Manitoba dipped just below that number, according to Environment Canada.
Brandon, Dauphin and Winnipeg will each hover around -10 C in the coming week.
Yvonne Rideout, executive director of Snoman (Snowmobilers of Manitoba), says most of Manitoba's snowmobile trails are currently closed, which is not out of the ordinary for this time of year.
Yvonne Rideout, executive director of Snowmobilers of Manitoba, says most of Manitoba's snowmobile trails are currently closed, which is not out of the ordinary for this time of year. (Jaison Empson/CBC)
"Normally, it's mid-January before we start opening up trails," she said.
"It's only … December. We haven't hit the new year yet, so do your snow dance, and keep your fingers crossed."
Rideout says handfuls of disappointed snowmobilers are being directed to open routes near Ste. Amélie, with five more trails getting groomed near Ochre River on Thursday.
There are no trails currently open in or around Winnipeg. Rideout says she still feels positive that Manitobans will be able to venture down more trails shortly.
"We're keeping our fingers crossed that more will open up soon," she said.
"The snow will come. It always does."
Thumbnail courtesy of Jaison Empson/CBC.
This article was written by and published for CBC News, with files from Rosanna Hempel.
