How to Get the Most Out of the Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show at the Red River Ex

The Manitoba ice fishing show runs November 14 to 15 at the Red River Ex in Winnipeg, and if you’re reading this on the 14th, the doors are open today. Plan on a relaxed day of browsing, asking questions, and picking up ideas before the hard water season gets going.

Early bird tickets went on sale November 1, so that’s the window to look for any discount. Ticket price and the organizer aren’t confirmed, so check the Red River Ex listing before you head out rather than trusting a number from me.

Is it worth going? For most Canadian anglers, yes. A show like this puts rods, augers, shelters, and electronics in front of you where you can handle them. Beginners get to ask basic questions without feeling silly, and families can make an outing of it. Seasoned fishers can compare gear side by side and talk shop with people who fish the same lakes.

If you miss this weekend, the ideas below still hold for next year’s show. Here’s how to prepare, what to bring, and how to get the most out of every aisle.

Key Details at a Glance: Dates, Location and Tickets

The Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show runs November 14 and 15 at the Red River Ex in Winnipeg. Early bird tickets went on sale November 1, so the early discount window has likely already closed if you’re only now finding this.

Here’s what we couldn’t confirm. We didn’t find a ticket price, and we didn’t find who’s organizing the show. Rather than guess, I’d rather point you to the right place: the Red River Ex official channels are your best bet for current pricing, hours and any discounts that might still be running.

Timing matters here, so a quick word on that:

– If you’re reading this on show weekend: check the official channels before you head out. Hours and ticket options can change, and you don’t want to find that out at the door.
– If you’ve missed it: don’t sweat it. Shows like this tend to open their early bird window well ahead of the event, so keep an eye out next fall and grab tickets early to save a few bucks.

I’ve left out opening hours, prices and exhibitor names on purpose. I don’t have verified details on any of those, and I’d hate to send you down the road on a wrong guess.

Who Should Go: From First-Timers to Seasoned Hard-Water Anglers

Think ice fishing shows are only for hard-core anglers? Not even close. I wandered into my first one barely knowing what an auger was, and I left with a notebook full of answers. A friendly guy at a booth spent ten minutes explaining how a flasher works, never once making me feel silly for asking. That’s the spirit of these events.

Here’s who tends to get real value from a visit:

• Total beginners with basic questions, who are always welcome.
• Families with kids who want to see what hard-water fishing is all about.
• Gear upgraders comparing augers, shelters and rods side by side.
• Trip planners hunting for northern lodge and outfitter ideas.
• Anglers who just want to swap tips and stories with fellow fishers.

If you’re curious about Manitoba’s hard-water species like walleye, pike and perch, you’ll find plenty to chew on. Shows like this typically mix gear displays, face-to-face chats with outfitters and seminars where you can pick up techniques you’d otherwise learn the slow way, one cold morning at a time.

My biggest lesson from that first show? Nobody expects you to arrive an expert. Ask the “dumb” question, because most seasoned anglers love explaining their craft, and it saves you from pricey mistakes later.

What to Bring and What to Look For: Your Show-Day Kit

Walking into a big ice fishing show without a plan is a bit like showing up at a buffet with a thimble. Pack light, but pack smart.

Start with the basics: your phone’s notes app or a small notebook, a short list of gear questions, cash and cards (some booths prefer one or the other), and a sturdy tote bag for brochures and anything you buy. Wear comfortable footwear, because you’ll be on concrete for hours. Dress in layers too. Winnipeg in November can bite on the walk from the parking lot, then feel stuffy once you’re inside with the crowds.

Bring your current gear list or a few photos of your setup. Nothing beats showing an exhibitor what you already own and asking what’s worth upgrading. If you don’t have a list yet, our fishing gear checklist is a handy starting point.

Here’s what to compare while you browse:

– Augers: These are the drills that cut your hole. Hand augers are quiet, light and cheap to run, but tiring on thick ice. Power augers drill fast, though they weigh more and need fuel or a battery.
– Shelters: Flip-over shelters sit on a sled and fold over you, so setup takes seconds. Hub shelters pop open like a tent, with more room but more fuss.
– Rods and reels: Walleye rods tend to be lighter with a sensitive tip for subtle bites. Pike gear runs heavier, with stronger line and a longer rod to handle bigger fish. Our ice rod buying guide can help you narrow it down.
– Electronics: A flasher is a small sonar screen that shows your lure, the bottom and any fish passing underneath, all in real time. Ask to see one in action.
– Clothing and traction: Check for insulated, waterproof layers and ice cleats that strap onto your boots.

Hold everything, test the weight, and ask questions.

Stay Safe at the Show and Out on the Ice

A show floor is a fun place, but it’s busy. Keep an eye on little ones around the displays, since auger bits and spud bars can be sharp even when they’re just sitting on a table. Ask before you pick anything up, and give folks space when they’re demoing gear. Exhibitors are used to questions, so don’t be shy.

Here’s the bigger takeaway. A show is one of the best spots to talk safety gear in person. Ask about ice picks you wear around your neck, floatation clothing, and cleats or traction for your boots. Most people can show you how each one works and what suits your style of fishing. Handle them, try the straps, and ask what a beginner should grab first.

No piece of gear replaces checking the ice itself. Thickness guidelines exist, but conditions change from lake to lake and even spot to spot, so confirm with local bait shops or outfitters before you step out. Treat the show as your safety shopping trip, and the lake as the place to be careful.

Your Step-by-Step Plan for Show Weekend

Here’s the plan I’d follow, whether you’re heading out this weekend or filing it away for next year:

1. Check the official Red River Ex channels for current ticket options and hours. Early bird tickets went on sale November 1, but they may no longer apply on show weekend.
2. Set your gear and questions list. Jot down what you own, what you’re curious about, and what’s actually worth upgrading.
3. Head to the Red River Ex on Nov 14-15. Dress in layers for the walk from the parking lot.
4. Do one full lap before buying anything. Just look, compare, and let the shiny stuff settle.
5. Talk to exhibitors. Ask the beginner questions freely. Nobody minds, and the answers are the best part.
6. Take photos and notes of models, specs, and names so you can research later.
7. Buy deliberately. Go back to the booths that earned it and skip the impulse grabs.

That first-lap rule saved me years ago. I nearly bought a flashy shelter in the first five minutes, then found a better-fitting one two aisles over. Patience paid off.

If you’re planning for next year instead, watch for the early bird window and buy early. It’s an easy way to lock in a better deal before the crowds show up.

Once you’ve got your gear sorted, you might get the itch to test it somewhere with real company. A Manitoba ice derby is a fun way to see how other anglers set up out on the ice.

After the Show: Verify Your Picks and Plan Your Next Trip

The trip home is where a show really pays off. Pull out your photos and notes and line them up against your original gear list. Anything that wasn’t on that list gets a cooling-off day before you buy it.

For big purchases, check the specs against what you saw in person, read the return policy, and cross-reference a few independent reviews. A shelter that felt roomy on a show floor can feel very different when it’s wedged on the ice in a stiff wind.

My first show turned into a first real outing the same way. I jotted down three ideas, bought a basic hand auger, and spent a quiet morning at a nearby lake. The ice-safety tips I’d collected got used before I drilled a single hole.

Once you’re comfortable, think bigger: a guided trip, or a road trip chasing some of the best northern pike destinations. Our newsletter keeps you posted on fishing news along the way.

Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show FAQ

A few quick extras. For what to wear, dress in layers: Winnipeg in November can be brisk between the parking lot and the doors, but it warms up once you’re inside among the crowds. Comfortable footwear helps too, since you’ll be on your feet for a while.

As for gear deals, I wouldn’t count on any until you’ve seen them for yourself. Ask exhibitors directly and check the official show information, and take that first lap before buying anything. If you’re saving this for next year, keep an eye out for the early bird window and plan ahead.

Whether you’re walking the Red River Ex floor this weekend or filing this away for next year’s show, the plan stays the same: show up curious, ask the beginner questions, and don’t be shy about it. Everybody on that floor started out clueless about something, me included. I still remember fumbling through my first auger conversation, and I’m glad I did.

The show is just one stop on a much longer journey into Canadian hard-water fishing. Keep the notes, keep the curiosity, and get out on the ice when conditions are right. If you’d like more stories and fishing news along the way, sign up for the newsletter. See you out there.