Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002
For more information:  Dave McCrea, 773-4243

MOST FISH HOUSES TO BE OFF ICE BY FEB. 25

PIERRE - South Dakota’s anglers are reminded that ice-fishing houses must be removed from the state’s public waters by midnight, Feb 25, except in the counties of Grant, Roberts, Day and Marshall, where the removal date is midnight, March 5.

Law Enforcement Specialist Dave McCrea said state law requires anglers to remove ice shacks no later than the dates specified, otherwise violators are subject to arrest. McCrea also reminds anglers not to leave their ice-fishing houses on shore or at public beaches or other public water-access facilities. "A person may not leave a fish house or any other property for more than five days on other lands owned or leased by the department without written permission from an authorized representative of the department," he said.

"Ice conditions most often become unpredictable this time of year, so anglers are reminded to take extra safety precautions when removing fishing shacks," McCrea noted. "For those areas of the state that still have sufficient ice to support ice houses after these dates, anglers may still use portable ice shelters if they are removed daily from the ice."

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