If shelters aren’t removed by the deadline, owners may be prosecuted, and structures may be confiscated and removed or destroyed by a conservation officer.

Minnesotans have enjoyed winter on the ice, but there are now signs of changing seasons across the Twin Cities metro.

The MN DNR reminds anglers to remove fish houses by March 3 to prevent lake pollution and safety issues due to melting ice. Noncompliance may lead to fines and confiscation.

He noted fish house removal dates are either here or approaching and encouraged those who are still prepping for removal to plan for warm weather. Area snowmobile trails are in rough shape, which led to increased complaints of ATV use on trails.

Fish houses may be used after March 15 if they are removed daily, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department said.