WISCONSIN — The DNR is reminding ice anglers that final ice shanty removal is Sunday, March 15.
This deadline is set for permanent ice shanties located in waters north of Highway 64 and all other outlying waters.
Anglers have till the end of that day to clear out. However, the Wisconsin DNR is urging anglers not to wait until the deadline. This is due to warming temperatures and spring rains that could complicate removal.
Any anglers that struggle to remove their shelters can seek local assistance from fishing clubs, vendors, and other anglers.
According to the DNR, these deadlines, "help eliminate spring shoreline litter and boating dangers this spring. Abandoning the shelter or burning the shelter atop the ice does not satisfy the deadline. The debris then goes into the waterbody, impacting water quality."
After this deadline passes, Anglers can still use portable ice fishing shelters if they feel the ice is thick enough. However, anglers still must remove their shelters from the ice daily and when not in use.
This March 15 deadline is not universal for Wisconsin. Here is the full list of deadlines for the state:
- Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior, and inland waters north of Highway 64 by the first Sunday following March 12.
- Inland waters south of Highway 64 by the first Sunday following March 1.
- Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters by March 15.
- Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters by March 1.
- The deadline for Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters was Feb. 20.
