Minnesota DNR sets fish house removal deadline
Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources has mandated that all fish houses must be removed from area lakes by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 2nd. The annual deadline is enforced to prevent the structures from falling through weakening ice and causing environmental damage.
The removal deadlines are staggered across the state. For the southern two-thirds of Minnesota, the deadline is 11:59 p.m. on March 2nd, while anglers in the northern third have until March 16th. Different deadlines apply to border waters, such as those with Wisconsin (March 1), North and South Dakota (March 5), and Canada (March 31). Owners who fail to remove their fish houses by the deadline face prosecution. Conservation officers have the authority to confiscate, remove, or even destroy structures left on the ice. The contents of a seized shelter are held for 60 days, and if unclaimed, become state property. The regulations extend beyond just the structure itself. All litter, including blocking materials, bait, cans, and plastic bags, must be removed from the ice. A new law makes it illegal to dispose of garbage, sewage, or wastewater directly on the ice unless it is in a secured container. Even after the removal deadline passes, anglers can still use their shelters. However, the structures cannot be left unattended on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise; they must be occupied or attended during these hours. Storing or leaving shelters at public access points is also prohibited. Weather can significantly complicate the removal process. Heavy snowfall can make it difficult to get houses off the ice, while unseasonably warm winters can lead to deteriorating ice conditions, forcing early removal for safety reasons. Regardless of the calendar deadline, the DNR urges all anglers to check ice thickness frequently as conditions can change rapidly. All non-portable ice shelters in Minnesota require a license, which costs $15 for residents and $37 for non-residents. This license must be clearly displayed on the exterior of the shelter. The owner's name and address, driver's license number, or DNR identification number must also be visible.
