Families and fishing fans will gather at Selkirk Park in Selkirk, Manitoba, on Sunday, February 15, 2026, for an ice fishing derby that falls during Manitoba’s Family Fishing Weekend and allows participants to fish without a provincial angling licence.
Gates at the park will open at 8:00 a.m., with the fishing competition running from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration costs $40 for adults and $30 for children; the first 600 youth registrants will receive a free fishing rod and reel kit to take home.
Because the event falls during Manitoba’s Family Fishing Weekend, participants do not need to buy or hold a provincial fishing licence to take part in the derby.
Organized by KidFish with support from the City of Selkirk, the event raises money for provincial health charities. Proceeds from the day will benefit the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
This annual gathering brings many visitors to the community, and organizers will monitor ice thickness on the Red River to ensure a safe day for everyone. Organizers have contingency plans — including restricting activities to on-foot only or moving events to the Selkirk Recreation Complex — if ice conditions are unsafe; readers should check local ice reports and event updates within 48 hours of the derby.
According to the Interlake Tourism Association, these types of winter tournaments provide a helpful boost to local businesses and services.
