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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Deadline to remove fish houses fast approaching

Posted 3/3/21

REGIONAL—The Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that the deadline to remove permanent fish houses from Minnesota lakes is coming up. Although the coldest spell of winter …

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Deadline to remove fish houses fast approaching

Posted

REGIONAL—The Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that the deadline to remove permanent fish houses from Minnesota lakes is coming up. Although the coldest spell of winter occurred just a couple weeks ago, fish house removal deadlines are set in state statute and are not dependent upon seasonal conditions.
In the northern one-third of the state, the deadline is the end of the day Monday, March 15. The removal deadline for fish houses on border waters between Minnesota and Canada is March 31.
“Anglers need to plan ahead and make sure they’re able to meet the deadline,” said DNR Conservation Officer Leah Kampa. “And don’t just remove your fish house— make sure you clean up everything around it and leave only an impression in the ice or snow. It’s been heartening this winter to see people’s willingness to clean up the litter other people leave, but it’s unfortunate some people don’t take the time to clean up after themselves.”
Anyone who’s caught leaving litter – including any part of a fish house – on the lake may be cited for littering.
If shelters aren’t removed by the deadline, owners will be prosecuted and structures may be confiscated and removed or destroyed by a conservation officer. If conditions or other circumstances are making it difficult for people to meet the deadline, they should contact their local conservation officer to explain the situation.
The removal deadline does not mean anglers no longer can use fish houses on the ice. After the deadline, fish houses may still be on the ice, but they must be occupied if they’re out between midnight and one hour before sunrise. Shelters may not be left or stored at public accesses.