Ice fishing is a popular winter tradition, offering anglers the opportunity to access diverse parts of a lake to catch fish. But as spring temperatures rise and lake ice begins to melt, these activities can leave behind a pile of problems. Leftover trash, broken equipment, or abandoned fishing lines sink to the lake bottom, pollute the water and potentially harm aquatic life.
Cleaning up after yourself isn’t just about keeping the ice and lake looking pristine. It’s essential for protecting fish populations, preserving drinking water sources, and ensuring future generations can enjoy the sport. Plastic waste, cigarette butts, and even bait containers can take years to break down.
In Alberta, ice huts (shelters) must be removed from waterbodies by March 15th if it’s within Fisheries Management Area (FMA) PP1 and March 31st if it’s within FMA PP2, ES1-ES4, NB1-NB4. It’s important to remember that warmer temperatures weaken the ice. Always check that it’s thick enough to support your vehicle or equipment before heading out.
See the Ice Thickness Guidelines from Alberta Conservation Association below for how many inches of (good quality) ice are needed to support humans and vehicles.
