Ice House Removal Dates Approaching for Northern Minnesota Lakes

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Ice anglers in northern Minnesota are being reminded by the Department of Natural Resources that ice shelter removal dates are approaching for lakes located north of Highway 200 and U.S. Highway 2.

Due to rapidly deteriorating ice conditions, anglers may need to remove shelters before the deadline.

Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must be off the ice of inland lakes no later than midnight Monday March 20. For those on the Minnesota-Canada border waters, the deadline is March 31.

Enforcement action will be taken if shelters are left after the deadline. Anglers who do not remove their shelter can be prosecuted. Conservation officers may remove the structure and confiscate or dispose of it. It is also unlawful to store or leave a shelter at a public access.

Anglers are to remove any litter from the lake including wood blocks used to support a shelter or any type of anchoring device.

It is unlawful to improperly dispose of ice fishing shacks anywhere in the state.

For more information visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/shelter.html