Bismarck, North Dakota – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has issued a reminder to anglers regarding the upcoming deadline for removing unoccupied fish houses from state waters. Beginning March 15, 2026, all unoccupied fish houses, ice shelters, and similar structures must be removed from all waters until ice-out, in accordance with the department’s regulations.
According to the official announcement, fish houses may still be used after March 15 provided they are removed daily. Anglers are also encouraged to inspect their sites and clean up any trash left behind to maintain clean waters and support conservation efforts. This measure helps ensure public safety and protects aquatic resources as ice conditions change with the onset of spring.
These requirements are detailed in the 2024-26 Fishing Guide, which remains in effect through March 31, 2026. The guide specifies strict identification rules for any unoccupied fish house. Owners must display an equipment registration number issued by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, or their name along with an address or telephone number, on the exterior in characters at least three inches high and readily distinguishable. Failure to comply may result in the structure being removed or destroyed by department personnel, with the owner facing a Class 2 noncriminal offense.
Placement guidelines are also outlined to promote safe and orderly use of ice-covered waters. Fish houses must be positioned no closer than 50 feet from another in any direction unless consent is given by the occupant of the adjacent shelter. Fishing holes outside a fish house cannot be closer than 10 feet without similar approval. Structures designated as fish houses or darkhouses, including campers used for this purpose, must be constructed of materials that allow them to float and be easily removable from the ice at any time.
While in use, all fish houses must remain open for inspection by department officials at all times. The removal mandate applies universally: it is illegal to leave fish houses on any federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge land, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property, Bureau of Reclamation land, or state-owned or managed lands after March 15 each year.
These rules complement broader ice fishing provisions in the guide. Ice fishing is permitted using hook and line methods on waters open to such activity. Anglers may use up to four poles, though on waters with both open water and ice, no more than two poles can be in open water. Poles must be visible and within 150 feet of the angler. Tip-ups count as one pole each. There are no limits on hole sizes, but holes over 10 inches in diameter require marking in the vicinity with a natural object or brightly colored wooden lath visible from at least 150 feet, with markers in possession upon drilling.
The annual reminder aligns with previous announcements, such as the December 2025 update on fish house regulations, which reiterated the daily removal after March 15 and identification standards. State law underscores the midnight deadline for permanent fish houses on March 15, emphasizing the need for compliance to avoid penalties.
Department enforcement stories, like those in ‘Behind the Badge,’ highlight practical challenges, such as extracting fish houses from thick ice—up to 20 inches in some cases—reinforcing the importance of preparation and adherence to removal timelines. On wildlife management areas, fish houses are permitted during the ice fishing season per the governor’s proclamation, further integrating these rules into broader access guidelines.
As North Dakota transitions from winter to spring, the Game and Fish Department urges all ice fishing enthusiasts to plan accordingly, ensuring structures are properly tagged, spaced, and removed to preserve access for boating and protect the state’s vital wildlife and fisheries resources. One concrete example of compliance involves ensuring all unoccupied shelters on popular lakes like those in wildlife management areas are off the ice by the deadline, avoiding conflicts with emerging open-water activities.
For more information, visit North Dakota Game and Fish Department.