CALUMET COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Deadlines are approaching for those heading onto frozen lakes.
The Department of Natural Resources says permanent ice shanties must be removed from Wisconsin waterways beginning March 5.
Shacks are on the move at Calumet County Park south of Sherwood. The Brickyard Fishing Club maintains the landing.
Club leaders say Lake Winnebago ice in the area started forming in December but has been unpredictable ever since.
“The ice has been through a lot of problems already. Wet,” said Joe Mader, Brickyard Fishing Club Vice President. We had two inches of rain on it the other day, so it’s soft.”
Other members say the season end may be near.
“We just pulled our bridges off this morning. And there’s water coming up in the cracks. You put a little pressure on it. There’s water coming up,” said John Schumacher, Brickyard Fishing Club Honorary Member.
As warmer weather approaches, the DNR reports those seasonal fishing shelters need to go.
For those on inland waters south of Highway 64, permanent shanties need to be removed by Sunday. For the Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters, the deadline is March 15. And for those north of Highway 64, that deadline is March 19.
DNR officials say removing shanties now helps people avoid the additional costs and hazards of shanties falling through the ice.
“Try to get your shack off in a timely manner. So it isn’t stuck out there,” said Schumacher.
Meanwhile shacks continue to move. Joe Mader says the end of sturgeon spearing typically marks the end of the season on the ice.
“We definitely had less shanties. We noticed less. And everybody’s got theirs taken home already. Probably up on blocks. Next year will come again,” he said.
Anglers are allowed to use temporary shanties on the ice, as long as those shelters are removed when the fishing trip is over.
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