DNR Fish Houses Removal

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.

As a result, many fish house owners have already removed their shelters from the ice.

For those who haven’t, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers to start planning for bringing them off the ice in advance of approaching removal deadlines.

The upcoming statutory removal deadline is 11:59 pm. on Monday, March 2 for inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state.

Anglers may still fish after removal deadlines, but shelters on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise must be attended or occupied. Also, shelters may not be left at public access sites.

The DNR also wants to remind all fish house owners to pick up and properly dispose of any trash as part of removing their shelter from the ice.

This includes wooden blocking materials, which must be removed, even if they are frozen into the ice.