Warning: New York State Fisherman Facing Fine This Month

March can be one of the most unpredictable months for weather across Western New York. According to the latest forecast, the region could see another round of snow, colder temperatures, and strong winds heading into the weekend.

A High Wind Warning has already been issued for parts of the area, including Buffalo, as the weather begins to shift back toward more winter-like conditions.

When Does Spring Officially Arrive?

The first day of spring doesn’t officially arrive until March 20, but there have already been several signs that warmer weather is on the way.

Many people across Western New York have started hearing the familiar sound of spring peeper frogs, and some early flowers have begun pushing through the ground. Even seasonal changes like the lifting of winter parking bans in some communities are reminders that spring is getting closer.

Still, March often brings a few last blasts of winter before the warmer weather fully takes hold.

Ice Fishing Season Ending Across New York State

Another sign that winter is coming to an end is an important deadline for ice anglers across New York.

Related: This Massive Fish Is NYS Ice Fishing Record

According to regulations from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, all ice shanties must be removed from lakes and waterways by March 15 each year.

This rule helps prevent abandoned shanties from falling through melting ice and becoming debris at the bottom of lakes once the ice begins to break apart.

"Ice shanties must be marked on the outside with the owner's name and address in letters at least 3 inches high. Shanties must be removed from all waters by March 15 to prevent them from falling through the ice and becoming hazards to navigation".

A Surprising Turn for Ice Fishing This Winter

Earlier this winter, it looked like there might not be much of an ice fishing season at all. In early January, temperatures climbed into the 50s and even 60s, causing ice to crack along the shoreline of Lake Erie.

However, a powerful Arctic cold snap arrived later in the season, and February ended up producing some of the best ice fishing conditions Western New York has seen in years.

Time to Pack Away the Ice Fishing Gear

If you still have an ice shanty out on the ice, you’ll want to make sure it’s removed before the March 15 deadline to avoid a potential ticket from the state.

The good news for anglers is that spring fishing season is just around the corner. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will soon begin stocking streams, rivers, and lakes with trout ahead of the upcoming spring trout season.

As winter fades and temperatures slowly begin to rise, many anglers will soon be putting away the ice fishing gear and getting ready for spring and summer fishing across New York State.