Lake Independence Citizens Association

Ice fish house regulations, etiquette and safety tips

by Rich Mickschl

Winter has officially arrived, and ice fishing is now in full swing on Lake Independence! After last year, we know many are eager to get back out on the ice and enjoy the season. With that in mind, we thought this would be a great time to review a few important regulations, etiquette reminders, and safety tips to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. 

Minnesota DNR Ice Fish House Regulations

• All non-portable ice shelters must be licensed.

• Wheeled fish houses are considered non-portable and must be licensed.

• An annual shelter license costs $15 for residents and $37 for non-residents, not including issuing fees that may be charged.

• The ice shelter license must be readily visible from the exterior of the shelter.

• A shelter license is valid from March 1 through April 30 of the following year.

• A shelter license is not required on border waters between Minnesota or Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota.

Portable shelter definition: a shelter that collapses, folds or is disassembled for transportation. Portable shelters only need licenses and identification when left unattended, which is defined as all occupants being more than 200 feet away.

​

Shelter identification requirements:

1. ONE of the following must be readily visible from the exterior of the shelter with characters at least 2 inches high:

   • Owner's name and address

   • Owner's driver’s license number

   • Owner's Minnesota DNR identification number.

1. If a shelter is left out overnight, it must have at least 2 square inches of reflective material on each side.

New litter law in effect:

It is unlawful to improperly dispose of garbage, sewage or wastewater on the ice.

New in 2023 is a requirement that anyone using a shelter, motor vehicle or other conveyance on the ice may not deposit trash or waste outside unless the material is:

• In a container that’s secured to the shelter, motor vehicle or conveyance, and

• Not placed directly on the ice or in state waters

Shelter removal deadlines:

Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice no later than 11:59 p.m. (end of the day) on March 3, 2025 for Hennepin County lakes. County sheriffs may prohibit or restrict the use of motorized vehicles if dangerous ice conditions are present. If shelters are not removed, owners may be cited. A conservation officer also may confiscate, remove or destroy any ice structure and its contents if not removed by the deadline.

​

Ice Fishing Etiquette:

1. Don’t fish out of other people’s holes that they drilled. Ask for permission.

2. Don’t drill holes by other people’s tip-ups or Ice Fish House.

3. Keep a respectful distance from other people’s holes and Ice Fish House.

4. Pick up your trash before you leave.

5. Mark Larger cut holes.

6. Don’t assume you can borrow gear.

7. Be quiet, others are trying to enjoy their time too.

8. Don’t drill holes on Plowed Roads.

9. Do not speed on plowed roads, 15 mph.

10. Do not come on the ice without a restroom plan  ​

Ice thickness guidelines for new, clear ice only.

Under 4” Stay off Ice

4” Ice fishing or other activities by foot

5-7” Snowmobile or small ATV

7-8” side by side ATV

9-10” Small Car or SUV

11-12” Medium SUV or Small Truck

13” Medium Truck

16-17” Heavy Duty Truck

20+ Heavy Duty Truck with Wheelhouse Shelter

Many factors other than thickness affect ice strength, including air temperature, wind, snow, streams, narrow areas or bottlenecks, sun, shade, fish communities, plant decay, and more. When a layer of snow melts and refreezes on top of lake ice, it creates white ice, only about half as strong as new, clear ice. Double the above thickness guidelines when traveling on white ice.

​

Ice Safety Tips

Must-Have Ice Fishing Safety Gear

Ice Picks/Rescue Picks:

Ice picks are a lifesaving tool if you fall through the ice. These sharp tools allow you to pull yourself back onto solid ice.

How to Use:

• Keep the picks around your neck or in a place for easy access.

• After falling through, use them to drive into the ice and pull yourself out while kicking your legs.

​

Ice Chisel (Spud Bar):

An ice chisel helps check ice thickness as you walk, ensuring the ice can support your weight.

How to Use:

• Strike the ice in front of you and observe how easily it breaks. If the chisel goes through with just a few strikes, it’s too thin for walking.

​

The above information was provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource and Lake of the Woods, MN Website. 

​​

What should you do if you fall through the ice?

(Created by the Minnesota DNR and KARE11)

First, try not to panic. This may be easier said than done, unless you have worked out a survival plan in advance. Read through these steps so that you can be prepared.

1. Don't remove your winter clothing. Heavy clothes won't drag you down, but instead can trap air to provide warmth and flotation. This is especially true with a snowmobile suit.

2. Turn toward the direction you came. That’s probably the strongest ice.

3. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. This is where a pair of nails, sharpened screwdrivers or ice picks comes in handy in providing the extra traction you need to pull yourself up onto the ice.

4. Kick your feet and dig in your ice picks to work your way back onto the solid ice. If your clothes have trapped a lot of water, you may have to lift yourself partially out of the water on your elbows to let the water drain before starting forward.

5. Lie flat on the ice once you are out and roll away from the hole to keep your weight spread out. This may help prevent you from breaking through again.

6. Get to a warm, dry, sheltered area and re-warm yourself immediately. In moderate to severe cases of cold water hypothermia, you must seek medical attention. Cold blood trapped in your extremities can come rushing back to your heart after you begin to re-warm. The shock of the chilled blood may cause ventricular fibrillation leading to a heart attack and death! ​