(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says this could be one of the last weekends to get out and enjoy ice fishing before warmer weather weakens the ice. Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Lt. Mike Martin says lakes in the area had between 26 and 28 inches of ice last weekend, and so far, ice conditions haven’t changed much, and people can still drive on many area lakes.
“I don’t think ice conditions have changed much as of today, but I think they’re going to start deteriorating rapidly around the shorelines. Especially this weekend as more people are utilizing those areas for one last push.”
Martin says that ice anglers could go fishing a couple of times depending on weather conditions.
“The more sun and wind that we have, the faster things will go out. I would anticipate being able to walk out on lakes, especially if it has a south or west access, for potentially up to another week or maybe even more.”
The exceptions would be lakes that have moving water.
“My main concern would be if you are fishing on the Mississippi River. If you are fishing on Little Rock Lake or the Horseshoe chain, where a river system runs through the middle of those lakes. Then I would probably use caution whether I was driving or walking this time of year.”
The deadline for permanent ice houses to be removed from lakes in the southern two-thirds of the state was earlier this month. The deadline for fish houses in the state’s northern third is Monday.
He says the lake ice conditions will deteriorate rapidly after all the snow melts.
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