Shanties Off

Posted March 1, 2008
From the Appleton Post Crescent
Deadline looms to get shanties off the ice
Removal requirement means end of winter in sight
The Post-Crescent
Permanent ice shelters must be removed from Lake Winnebago and other inland waters by Sunday night, according to state Department of Natural Resources rules.

Previously, anglers fishing on waters south of State 64 had until March 5 to remove permanent shelters.

Under the new rules, anglers have until the first Sunday after March 1 to remove the shelters.

Failure to remove a shanty or ice fishing shelter by the deadline could result in a forfeiture of $248.60.

Quite a few permanent shelters remain on Lake Winnebago and getting them of the ice could pose a problem, said Dale Frank, president of the Paynes Point Hook & Spear Fishing Club in Neenah.

"Some shacks are quite a ways out. I don't know how the owners are going to get them off. The snow is so bad and there is slush under the snow," Frank said.

Frank said the lake ice has numerous fractures.

"We'll do our level best to help get the remaining shelters off the ice, but there are places on the lake we just can't go anymore," Frank said.

After the date for removing ice fishing shelters from a frozen lake of river, anglers still can use portable shelters, but must remove them when they are not occupied or actively being used.

If the shelter breaks through the ice, it must be recovered under DNR rules. That process could add to the forfeiture costs.

The DNR said it would attempt to contact owners of shanties left on lakes and rivers after Sunday to get them off the ice. Those who own shanties are required to have their name and address on it.