Winter Anglers Reminded to Clean Up Ice

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds winter anglers to clean up the ice after fishing. This not only applies to trash, but fish as well.

It is not only unsightly, but it is illegal to leave fish behind on the ice. According to the fishing proclamation, when a fish is caught anglers must either immediately release the fish back into the water unharmed, or reduce them to their daily possession.

It is common practice for some anglers to fillet fish on the ice, but if they don’t clean up after themselves, it’s a problem.

“When fish entrails and other parts are left on the ice, it’s an absolute eyesore,” said Greg Power, fisheries chief. “Anglers need to take those fish parts with them when they leave and properly dispose of them at home.”

Power said the pack it in, pack it out mentality applies to all trash, including aluminum cans and Styrofoam containers.

“When you throw those kinds of things into a snow bank, they are out of sight and out of mind temporarily, but everything comes to life in spring and becomes highly visible when the snow melts,” Power said.

Fish House Regulations

Submitted by The North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Winter anglers are reminded that any fish house left unoccupied on North Dakota waters must be made out of materials that will allow it to float.

A popular question this time of year is if campers qualify as legal fish houses. The answer is the same for any structure taken on the ice – if it’s left unattended, it must be able to float; if it’s not able to float, it must be removed when the angler leaves the ice.

Other fish house regulations include:

Fish houses do not require a license.

Occupied structures do not require identification. However, any unoccupied fish house must have the owner’s name, and either address or telephone number, displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high.

Fish houses may not be placed closer than 50 feet in any direction to another house without consent of the occupant of the other fish house.

Fish houses shall be removed from all waters by midnight, March 15, of each year. They can be used after March 15 if they are removed daily.

Anglers should refer to the 2014-16 North Dakota Fishing Guide for winter fishing regulations.