RCMP believe a missing 71-year-old man went through the ice on Lake of the Woods while driving a side-by-side to his ice fishing shack on Tuesday.
Missing man was driving side-by-side all-terrain vehicle to ice shack
CBC News · Posted: Dec 18, 2025 12:38 PM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours ago
Listen to this article
Estimated 1 minute
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Sprague RCMP used a drone Wednesday to locate tracks on Lake of the Woods, where they suspect a missing fisherman went through the ice a day earlier. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Mounties believe a missing 71-year-old man went through the ice on Lake of the Woods while driving a side-by-side to his ice fishing shack on Tuesday.
Sprague RCMP received a report of a missing 71-year-old man from Buffalo Point First Nation on Tuesday just before 9 p.m.
He was headed to his ice fishing shack, five kilometres north of the Buffalo Point marina, and never returned, an RCMP news release said on Thursday.
Mounties weren’t able to search safely that night due to weather conditions and open water in some areas.
They searched Wednesday morning, using a drone over the lake, and found tracks from the man’s side-by-side all-terrain vehicle leading from the shack to a ridge on the ice.
Investigators suspect the vehicle went through the ice at that point and the man was unable to get out in time.
The investigation continues.
Buffalo Point is about 170 kilometres from Winnipeg in the southeastern corner of Manitoba.
More from CBC Manitoba:
Corrections
We initially reported the missing fisherman is 61, based on information from RCMP. In fact, he is 71, a correction issued by RCMP said.
Dec 18, 2025 1:17 PM EST
Corrections and clarifications·Submit a news tip·Report error