Local ice huts must be removed by Sunday

Ice fishing season is winding down and permanent huts need to come down or anglers could face fines.

As the ice fishing season winds down, this weekend is the deadline for huts across Simcoe County to be removed.

According to the province’s fishing regulations, huts in Zone 16 and four other zones should have been removed before Sunday.

Zone 16 encompasses waterways within Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, including Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching.

The province says ice fishing huts must be registered online before use, and that it is an offence under the Public Lands Act to leave a hut out after the ice breaks up.

Violators of the province’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act could face fines up to $25,000 and up to a year of jail time.