Ice shanty Removal Dates Begin This Weekend for Parts of Michigan

Ice shanty removal dates are quickly approaching and will start this Sunday with Lake St. Clair according to the DNR.

The removal dates could come sooner depending on the weather and changing ice conditions.

F/Lt. Jason Wicklund, DNR Law Enforcement Division:

Based on the 10-day forecast, portions of the Lower Peninsula are predicted to experience fluctuating temperatures near or above freezing. Temperature fluctuations can create unstable and unsafe ice conditions very fast. It’s the angler’s responsibility to safely remove their shanty before it falls through the ice.

I always wondered what happens when someone's ice shanty goes through the ice, aside from it sinking to the bottom. Apparently, you can get is some big trouble including up to 30 days in jail along with fines up to $500. If you're a big slacker and a government agency has to remove your ice shanty, there's a good chance you'll have to reimburse that agency for up to three times the cost of removal.

According to Mid-Michigan Now, Ice shanties on Lake St. Clair, located northeast of Detroit, must be removed before sunset Sunday, Feb. 21.

Lower Peninsula ice shanties must be removed by midnight Monday, March 15.

Lower Peninsula counties:

• Alcona
• Alpena
• Antrim
• Arenac
• Bay, Benzie
• Charlevoix,
• Cheboygan
• Clare, Crawford
• Emmet
• Gladwin
• Grand Traverse
• Iosco
• Isabella
• Kalkaska
• Lake
• Leelanau
• Manistee
• Mason
• Mecosta
• Midland
• Missaukee
• Montmorency
• Newaygo
• Oceana
• Ogemaw
• Osceola
• Oscoda
• Otsego
• Presque Isle
• Roscommon
• Wexford

All others in the Lower Peninsula must be removed by midnight Monday, March 1.

Ice shanties on Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters must be removed by midnight Monday, March 15. All other ice shanties in the Upper Peninsula must be removed by midnight Wednesday, March 31.

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