It is probably a formality at this point, since few structures remain on Annandale area lakes, but ice anglers should be aware that dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice no later than midnight on Monday, March 6.
On Wednesday last week a lone fish house sat at the south access on Pleasant Lake, not far from where roughly eight feet of open water separated the sand of the Municipal Park beach from the ragged edge of the ice.
In most places the ice still met the shore around the lake, but it was rapidly thinning and there were portions of open water along the north shoreline as well.
The March 6 removal date applies to all lakes south of Highway 10. Ice shelters on the north side of that highway must be off the lakes by Monday, March 20, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
If shelters are not removed owners will be prosecuted, and the structure and contents may be confiscated and removed or destroyed by a conservation officer. After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended. Storing or leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.
It is unlawful to improperly dispose of ice fishing shacks anywhere in the state. Owners are instructed to clean up around their shack and check with local refuse providers or landfills for ice shelter disposal information.
The DNR recommends checking ice thickness with an auger or spud bar before venturing onto a frozen pond, lake or river. Slush shows weakening of ice and should be considered a danger sign. If ice at the shoreline is cracked or soft, people should stay off. Honeycombed ice, dark snow and dark ice should be avoided.