As the end of ice fishing season approaches, northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents are reminded about the rules around ice shacks.
In northern Saskatchewan, the deadline to remove shacks from the ice is March 31. In northern Manitoba, the deadline is April 15.
Each spring, a number of ice shacks are abandoned on lakes, creating identification and cleanup challenges for the officials. This can also pose environmental concerns.
Any litter, including fish entrails and offal, must also be removed when ice shacks are taken off the ice.
“These shelters need to be removed because they can pose a danger to boaters, water-skiers and others enjoying our lakes if they remain floating in the water,” said Kevin Callele, compliance and field services executive director for Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment. “The pieces wash up on shore and can cause environmental hazards. If shelters are not removed, owners could be prosecuted, and the structure and contents may be confiscated and removed by the ministry.”
The Saskatchewan government urges people travelling on the ice to use extreme caution.
Slush indicates that ice is eroding from above and below at an advanced rate, and changing temperatures can cause thermal cracks and pressure ridges, which are indicators of unsafe conditions.
