DNR Says it's Time to Start Moving Ice Shanties from the Lakes

Thursday, February 16th, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

(Raymond Neupert, WRN) It's time to start getting ice fishing shacks off the lake.

It's time to start getting ice fishing shacks off the lake. DNR warden Ben Mott says that shifting weather conditions and the return of spring means some lakes are already seeing uneven and thin ice. "From Madison all the way up north, there's a lot of variation, but it's always better to be safe than sorry to get those permanent shacks off ahead of time."

Mott says any shack that falls through the ice could be a hazard in the future. "It's a danger to everybody around it, and a danger to the resource. And ultimately those things still need to be removed and the owner of that shanty is responsible for that removal."

Mott says it can get expensive if you don't move that shelter in time. "Failure to remove an ice fishing shelter by the deadline is approximately a $263 fine, and those can be assessed multiple times if necessary."

Mott says shifting temperatures might make the ice too thin to support shelters in some places before the statewide March 15th deadline. If your shack falls in the water, you'll be charged whatever it costs to pull it out of the lake.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.