Ice-breaking operations underway as Amphibex machines hit the Red River

CTV’s Danton Unger heads out to the Red River for the start of ice-cutting operations and the countdown to the end of the ice-fishing season.

It’s a sure sign spring is just around the corner—the province has started its ice-cutting operations on the Red River.

Moose Chioua got an unwelcome surprise when he drove to the end of Main Street Tuesday afternoon, only to get turned around.

“We wanted to come do some ice fishing, and suddenly it said do not enter. We are like, ‘What the hell is going on?’” he said with a laugh.

What’s going on is the province’s annual ice-cutting operations that got underway Tuesday morning, with the bright green Amphibex machines starting their 28-kilometre journey along the Red River, from Netley Marsh to Selkirk.

“The ice-jam mitigation program began in 2006 and involves cutting and breaking river ice to reduce the risk of flooding caused by ice jams on the lower Red River and other rivers,” the province said in a notice issued late last week.

The three AmphiBex icebreakers are being accompanied by remote-controlled ice-cutting units to break up a line of ice about 100 metres wide.

Warning signs have been set up along the Red River, with the province asking those using the river to stay off the ice in these areas.

“Ice fishers are also reminded to remove huts or other materials in the areas where the ice-jam mitigation program is taking place,” the province said. “Notices to remove ice fishing shacks will be posted in zones at least two weeks before the remove-by date.”

Meanwhile, further down the river, Dirk Venderbos and his brothers were getting in as much ice fishing as they could.

“We’ve still been popping up some pretty big fish,” he said while out on the ice Tuesday.

But, for Venderbos, the return of the Amphibex machines means spring is around the corner and another ice fishing season is coming to a close.

“We’ve still got another six weeks of fishing yet, so until then, just keep trying,” he said.

The province said the ice-cutting operations on the Red River are expected to be completed by March 10.