News release
Update: Sprague RCMP responded to a report of a missing fisherman
December 18, 2025
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Buffalo Point First Nation, Manitoba
From: Manitoba RCMP
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On December 19, 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service Under Recovery Team (URT) recovered the body of the missing 71-year-old male on Lake of the Woods.
The RCMP URT had already been deployed for another operation in Grand Rapids and was not available.
The Manitoba RCMP would like to thank the Winnipeg Police Service for their assistance.
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On December 16, 2025, at 8:50 pm, Sprague RCMP received a report of a missing 71-year-old male, from Buffalo Point First Nation, who had gone out earlier in the day on a side-by-side to his ice fishing shack on Lake of the Woods. The ice fishing shack is located approximately five kilometers north of the Buffalo Point Marina.
RCMP immediately attended to assess the situation but due to weather, light conditions and open water in some areas, officers could not conduct a physical search of the ice.
On the morning of December 17, RCMP Search and Rescue attended Buffalo Point First Nation to assist with the search. An RCMP drone launched to conduct an aerial search located side-by-side tracks leading from the shore to a fishing shack and then from the shack to a pressure ridge in the ice.
It is believed that the side-by-side went through the ice at this location with the driver being unable to exit the vehicle before it went under.
Sprague RCMP continue to investigate.