MARQUETTE — Although it may still be chilly out, spring and warmer weather will be here before you know it. Ice fishers need to be reminded of when to take their shanties off lakes.

March 31st is the last day you can leave your shack out overnight. After that, all shacks need to be removed at the end of the day.

The rule is in place to help ensure safety and cleanliness of the fishing sites.

“That doesn’t mean that you can’t put shacks out on the lake, they just need to come off,” said Pete Wright, District Law Supervisor. “You can’t leave them on overnight. If we have to go out and remove it, or any type of local government, you can get charged triple what it costs to go get it, so that’s an addition to the $500 fine. And it is a misdemeanor, so it’s considered a crime.”

Another rule change is that, instead of having names and addresses on each side, anglers have the option to provide their Sport ID card or Drivers License. Be sure to clean up the litter around your shack as well; some litter may be hidden under accumulated snow.