WISCONSIN DNR ANNOUNCES REGIONAL ICE SHANTY REMOVAL DEADLINES
Deadlines for permanent ice shanty removal around the state officially started last Friday with Wisconsin and Iowa Boundary Waters. Shanty owners along Wisconsin and Minnesota boundary waters have until March 1st. Upcoming deadlines include:
- March 8th for Inland waters south of Highway 64
- March 15th for Wisconsin – Michigan boundary waters
Shanties on Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior and inland waters north of Highway 64 must be removed on or before March 15.
One exception to this rule is on the Fox River downstream from the De Pere dam in Brown County, where ice fishing shelters must always be removed from the ice daily and when not in use. Portable ice shanties can still be used after these dates as long as owners remove them from the ice when they’re not actively in use and at the end of each day.
The DNR reminds winter outdoor enthusiasts that NO ice is ever 100% safe. While they do not monitor ice conditions, residents are encourage to check with local fishing clubs and bait shops for the latest updates.
Removal deadlines are in place to ensure owners remove their shanties, avoiding the potential hazards and additional costs of ice houses breaking through the ice. Anyone observing shanty owners not taking responsibility for removing their shanty should report it through the DNR Violation Hotline by calling or texting 1-800-TIP-WDNR.
