The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is reminding the public to take their garbage with them after they are done ice fishing this winter season.

"For the most part, the majority of anglers are very respectful of their impact on the environment and make sure that they take all of their garbage when they leave. The odd individual however sometimes does not," expressed Rob Stolz, Conservation Officer Sergeant for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. "And this litter that is left on the ice after a day of fishing can pose serious environmental risks. We just ask that all anglers please respect out natural areas and clean up after yourselves."

Stolz has been recently working in and protecting Moose Mountain Provincial Park and noted that this year wasn't unusually bad for litter. However, they had seen enough garbage lately to warrant them issuing a public reminder.

"Every year Conservation Officers see occurrences of people leaving garbage and other waste on the ice," Stolz told. "These materials can contaminate the water, affect the aquatic habitats and species, and potentially cause human health issues. Larger pieces of litter can also pose a danger for boaters in the summer. As well as water skiers and other people that are enjoying our lakes and reservoirs."

Ice shelters have been a problem in the past with some anglers leaving them on the ice past the date they are due to be removed (March 15). Failure to do so can lead to prosecution and in some cases, there may be a littering charge as well.

"The majority of the anglers are really good and it's always just a few individuals that tend to spoil it for everybody," Stated Stolz. "Some of the more common items left behind would be household garbage, bait fishing containers, and occasionally we'll even come across broken furniture. And the odd ice shelter that isn't removed from the ice in time. Sometimes the weather and wind can blow them apart as well if they're not built very good. So there is a variety of particles out there. But for the most part, everybody is good. If people are caught and convicted the minimum fine starts at $580 and they increase for more severe cases."

So how exactly could someone's ice shelter be recognized and how would the owner be convicted of the litter they left behind?

"All anglers that have an ice shack on the lake are supposed to identify it with their name, their address, and phone number," Stolz explained. "Occasionally those identifications will be removed and left behind. So we do have a record of what is out there so we can identify it that way. Or if perhaps a neighboring angler happens to know whose shack that is we can sometimes track them down that way as well. Sometimes we aren't able to track down the owner of the garbage but more often than not we can."

He added that a big part of his job is talking with the anglers to make sure that they are abiding by all of the rules and regulations and because of this they have a good relationship with them.

"At a lot of those lakes a lot of those people are locals and they take pride and even a little bit of ownership of that lake," Said Stolz. "So that goes a long way as well. And if anybody does happen to see someone dumping some litter or leaving something behind you can always report it to our tip line. All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous if they so wish."

You can turn in poachers and polluters by calling the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment's Tip Line at 1-800-667-7561.

"I just want to wish everybody a safe and successful ice fishing season out there," Stolz expressed.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment's Tip Line, you can read their official page here. Feel free to also follow their Facebook page for the latest news and more.