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The deadline for removing fish houses and dark houses from waters in the northern half of Minnesota is midnight on March 19, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Fish houses in the southern half of Minnesota were to be off the ice March 5.

Dates of removal are determined by an east-west line formed by U.S. Highway 10, east along Highway 34 to Minnesota Highway 200, east along Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 2, and east along Highway 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Fish houses on Minnesota-Canada border waters have to be off by March 31.

After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended. Storing or leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.[[In-content Ad]]

Conservation officers patrolling the Detroit Lakes area advise fish shelter owners along Highway 10 to pay special attention to the deadlines.

"A line runs down Highway 10 from Fargo/Moorhead to Detroit Lakes; then it's Highway 34 from Detroit Lakes," said Conservation Officer Joe Stattelman of Detroit Lakes. "Fish shelters located north of that line have to be off the ice no later than midnight, March 19."

Stattelman advises anglers to remove shelters earlier if ice conditions warrant.

"I hope most people take heed of the ice conditions we've had this year and remove fish shelters sooner rather than later," Stattelman said.

He also recommends outdoor enthusiasts check ice thickness by using an auger or spud bar before venturing onto a frozen pond, lake or river.

According to information from the DNR Boat and Water Safety Section, a minimum of 4 inches is necessary for ice fishing; snowmobiling or ATV activity requires at least 5 inches; 8 to 12 inches is recommended for a car or small pickup; and 12-15 inches for a medium truck.

Conservation officers remind anglers to keep waterways clean. Litter on lakes tarnishes nature's beauty, destroys wildlife habitats and ruins many opportunities for recreation.

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