The Bangor Daily News recently reported on the state’s efforts to regulate floating camps, which has raised concerns among fishermen about potential regulations on ice shacks. Floating camps are unregulated structures anchored offshore or tethered to the shore, causing issues for shore property owners. The state is working to define boats, houseboats, and floating camps to effectively regulate these structures.
Surprisingly, Maine already has regulations for ice fishing shacks, defining them as temporary structures used for ice fishing on frozen inland waters. Shacks must be removed by ice-out or three days after the fishing season ends. In areas with a season open all year, shacks must be removed by ice-out or March 31. Fishermen must label their shacks with their name and address while on the ice.
It is also illegal to leave ice shacks on shore during the off-season without the landowner’s permission. If left without permission, the landowner has the right to destroy or remove the shack at the shack owner’s expense. The concerns raised by fishermen about potential regulations on ice shacks highlight the importance of understanding and complying with existing laws to avoid repercussions.
These regulations aim to ensure the safety and preservation of Maine’s lakes and ponds while balancing the needs of fishermen. It remains to be seen how further regulation of floating camps may impact ice shacks in the future.
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Photo credit www.bangordailynews.com
