Time is running out for ice fishing enthusiasts to remove shacks and other items from bodies of water in southern Manitoba.

Manitoba Conservation wants all items off the ice by Tuesday, March 15.

 

"We have had a mild winter and the temperatures have shot up quickly over the past week or so and people need to start taking shacks, tents and other ice fishing items off the ice" said Conservation Officer Shaun Bobier.

 

He calls the winter of 2016 a mild one. "The ice never did get as thick as it normally does and that created some problems with two vehicles going through the ice at Pelican Lake this winter and one recently went partially through at Oak Lake."

 

Bobier notes the main ice surface isn't too bad but the edges are the tricky spots, so getting on and off the ice could be a challenge in some areas.

 

"Make sure it's safe to go out onto the ice when retrieving items and it's probably a good idea to let people know you are going" said Bobier.