Ice fishing season is winding down in Saskatchewan, meaning anglers in the Lloydminster area and around the province will soon have to take down their ice shelters.
All ice shelters. along with any litter or leftover items, below the Highway 16 line need to be removed by March 15th. North of that line, the last day to remove them is March 31st. If they’re not removed, the shelters and the property inside could be confiscated, and the owners prosecuted.
The province says they’re issuing the advisory because every year, many get left out on the ice, which can be dangerous to boaters, water-skiers and other people using the lakes. Also, the debris that washes up on shore is an environmental hazard.
Shelters must be fully removed from the ice, and taken to the owner’s home or property. People are also told to use caution, checking the ice is a safe thickness before heading out with a vehicle or on foot to bring them in.
Some things people can watch for are slush, which shows that ice is breaking down from above and below at an advanced rate. Thermal cracks and pressure ridges are also signs of unsafe conditions.