Ice shelter removal deadlines approaching

Ice Fishing State Boundary Map

Ice Fishing State Boundary Map

(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

DULUTH, Minn. — Recent warm weather has deteriorated many public water accesses in the central and southern parts of Minnesota and prompted thin-ice warnings for some bodies of water.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to remind anglers to start planning for bringing them off the ice in advance of approaching removal deadlines.

“It’s been a good, long season for many anglers,” said Lt. Col. Robert Gorecki, assistant director of the DNR Enforcement Division. “We’d like to see that continue and have this part of the season end on a high note, which means shelters off by the deadlines and the ice free of litter.”

The upcoming statutory removal deadlines are:

11:59 p.m. on March 2 for inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state.

11:59 p.m. on March 16 for inland waters in the northern one-third of the state.

11:59 p.m. on March 31 for Minnesota-Canada border waters, including Lake of the Woods.

Other removal deadlines include Minnesota-South and North Dakota border waters (March 5); Minnesota-Wisconsin border waters (March 1); and Minnesota-Iowa border waters (Feb. 20).

Anglers may still fish after removal deadlines, but shelters on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise must be attended or occupied.

Shelters may not be left at public access sites.

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