Daily Press file photo

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that ice shanty removal dates are quickly approaching. In the Upper Peninsula anglers must have ice shanties removed by midnight Wednesday, March 31. Daily use of ice shanties is permitted anywhere in Michigan if ice conditions permit and if the shanties are removed from the ice at the end of each day. People venturing onto the ice should use extreme caution as temperatures begin to rise or fluctuate. The repeated thawing and refreezing of ice weakens its strength, decreasing its ability to support the additional weight of people, snowmobiles, ORVs and shanties. Deteriorating ice, water currents and high winds increase the probability of pressure cracks, which can leave anglers and others stranded on ice floes or at risk of falling through the ice.