The deadline to remove ice-shacks is coming up in Saskatchewan. It's March 15 for bodies of water south of Highway 16, and then March 31 for lakes and rivers located north of Highway 16. 

"Attention, winter anglers: all good things must end and the deadlines to get your fishing shelters off the ice are coming up quickly. But make sure your plan to remove your shelter is solid because, before you know it, the ice may not be!" shared the government release.

While people might try to jig all the way up to the deadline, sport fishing specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Murray Koob says it's better to be safe than sorry.

"Don't leave it till the last minute." said Koob as the annual deadline approaches. "Don't leave it until the last hour on March 15. Give yourself lots of time. In most cases you are going to have to work to try and get the ice shack free, and there's a variety of ways to get it free, but it's up to the individual to determine that."

A few other reminders as the season closes are that all shack's must visibly include the owner's complete name, address, and phone number in legible letters at least 2.5 cm high. It is also the ice-shack owners responsibility to remove all structures present, and clean up all litter prior to transporting it away. From there the shacks must be brought back to your property, and not left on the shore.

If you are fishing up until the deadline, remember to be careful with the ice slowly melting. The release states that slush, thermal cracks, and pressure ridges are all signs of unsafe ice, and that it's always important to check ice thickness (and strength) because the ice can vary in thickness from area-to-area.