Wisconsin DNR says any shanties still on ice must be removed soon

NORTHEAST, Wis. (WBAY) - Ice shanties are coming off Wisconsin waters as the winter season winds down, and the Wisconsin DNR has set deadlines for those that remain.

Shanties on inland waters south of Highway 64, which covers most of the local viewing area, must be removed by March 8.

Shanties on Lake Michigan, Green Bay, and inland waters north of Highway 64 must be removed by March 15.

There are no rules governing when boaters can go out onto waters that are not frozen over.

Most shanties already cleared

According to the Wisconsin DNR, most shanties have already been removed from Wisconsin waters. Conservation Warden Josh Voelker said the winter season has gone well.

“People were able to get out early, around Christmas time, we had a little bit of a warmup but our ice stayed pretty well. Our shorelines got a little rougher when we had that warmup, but kind of firmed back up when it froze again,” Voelker said.

The DNR is reminding anyone pulling a shanty off the water or bringing a boat out to monitor ice and weather conditions and to have all proper equipment on hand.