(Fairbanks) – With temperatures dropping, lakes freezing over, and ice fishing season quickly approaching in Interior Alaska, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport Fish reminds ice anglers that any ice houses in the Tanana River drainage that are not removed daily from the ice from October 1 through April 30 must be registered with the department.

Ice anglers can register their ice houses by phone or in person at ADF&G offices in Delta Junction (907-895-4632) or Fairbanks ((907-459-7228).

Ice house owners will be issued a permit with a unique permit number by the permittee. The ice house must have this permit number displayed on the side and roof. Numbers must be plainly visible and be at least 12 inches high and 1 inch wide in a color that contrasts with the background. A signed copy of the ice house permit must be kept in the ice house anytime the ice house is being used.

The permittee is also required to remove the ice house from the ice no later than April 30. Ice anglers do not need to register portable ice fishing houses/tents that are removed from the ice at the end of the day.

“Ice fishers should check ice thickness on the lake or pond they plan to place their ice houses on before doing so,” Tanana River drainage Area Management Biologist Andy Gryska advised. “This can be done by drilling holes in the ice to measure ice thickness, starting from shore and working their way farther out onto the lake or pond.”

Ice should be at least 4 inches thick to support the weight of a person, 6 inches thick to support a snowmachine, 8-12 inches thick to support cars and small trucks, and 12-15 inches thick to support larger pickup trucks. However, no ice is 100 percent safe, and ice anglers are advised to avoid off-colored snow or ice.

For additional information, contact Andy Gryska at the Fairbanks ADF&G office at (907) 459-7339 or Andrew Gryska or Brandy Baker in the Delta office at (907) 895-4632 or Brandy Baker.

#22-3431