It’s been unseasonably warm this winter, but anglers are no doubt hoping for many more days of ice fishing.

We urge ice fishermen to exercise extra caution when going out on the lakes. In fact, last weekend the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources advised winter anglers to check the ice around their fish houses and if conditions warrant it, to consider removing them while the ice is still strong enough.

In particular, larger wood and metal fish houses commonly left on the ice overnight can melt down into the surface, making removal very difficult if the ice re-freezes, or sink if ice conditions continue to deteriorate.

With daytime temperatures above freezing for several weeks, people need to be especially careful even if they’re just walking on the ice. Even though ice may still be several inches thick in some locations, the quality of the top layer of ice has degraded as far as weight-bearing capability. Therefore, the ice needs to

be checked every day.

Owners are legally responsible for removing their fish houses and any debris left after chopping them out of the ice. Littering penalties can include fines or civil penalties up to $2,000.

According to state law, anglers in this part of the state have until Feb. 28 before they are required to have their fish houses off the ice by no later than midnight each day and not put them back on until 6 the next morning.

Be careful out there.

Nobody wants to suffer hypothermia, or, worse yet, die for a tiny fish.