Released on March 2, 2016
Ice fishing season is slowly winding down and this means that all fishing shelters south of Highway 16 must be removed by March 15 and shelters in areas north of Highway 16 must be removed by March 31.Each spring, a number of ice fishing shelters are abandoned on the ice of Saskatchewan lakes. The shelters need to be removed because they can pose a danger to boaters, water-skiers and others enjoying our lakes. The pieces wash up on shore and can cause environmental hazards.
If shelters are not removed, owners could be prosecuted, and the structure and contents may be confiscated and removed by the ministry.
Any litter must also be removed when ice shelters are taken off the ice and structures must be moved to a location above the high water mark.
Ice fishing shelters must have the owner’s complete name, address and phone number on the outside in legible letters that are at least 2.5 cm high.
In southern and central Saskatchewan, ice fishing season closes on March 31 and on April 15 in the north. Information about fishing in the province can be found in the Saskatchewan Anglers’ Guide, and online at www.environment.gov.sk.ca/fishing.
Anyone travelling on the ice should take extreme caution. Slush indicates that ice is eroding from above and below at an advanced rate and changing temperatures can cause thermal cracks and pressure ridges, which are indicators of unsafe conditions.
To report a fisheries, wildlife, environmental or forestry violation, contact your nearest Ministry of Environment Office or call the province's Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 from any SaskTel cell phone, or report a violation online at www.saskatchewan.ca/conservation. You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program. Callers can remain anonymous.
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For more information, contact:
Jamie Gibson
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3900
Email: jamie.gibson@gov.sk.ca