By Steve Weisman

For all the years I have ice fished, I’ve always been frustrated with the amount of litter (garbage) that is left on the ice. By the end of the winter season, where ice fishermen have congregated, it’s often been one big mess.

There is simply too much garbage left on the ice. Whether it’s snowmobiling, ice fishing or just recreating on the ice, too many people leave their refuse behind. Nothing is more infuriating than going out on the ice and getting to our fishing spot and witnessing plastic bags, pop and beer cans, partially eaten sandwiches, banana peels, apple cores, candy wrappers, bait containers, empty propane cylinders…you name it!

According to Terry Thomsen, president of the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club, after visiting with Iowa DNR officials, area baitshops, anglers and people who simply love the Iowa Great Lakes, the IGLFC is spearheading the “Keep It Clean” initiative! The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of keeping the ice clean as we recreate on the ice this winter.

Definitely needed

With the partnership of the OPA, the East Lake Improvement Corporation and the Spirit Lake Protective Association, the IGLFC is implementing the “Keep It Clean” campaign.

The plan

First off, reflective 4-foot color signs are being placed just on the edge of the ice at 12 prominent lake accesses on Big Spirit, East Okoboji, West Okoboji, Upper Gar and Lake Minnewashta. The signs will read KEEP IT CLEAN – IT’S THE LAW – ICE IS NO PLACE FOR YOUR GARBAGE OR WASTE!

At the same time, throughout the ice season, beginning in December, the IGLFC will partner with KUOO radio station with a “Keep It Clean” advertising blitz.

Thomsen says, “We’ve talked about this over the years, and last year when Joe Henry, executive director for the Lake of the Woods Tourism in northern Minnesota, was here for the Okoboji Blue Water Festival, he encouraged us to do a keep the ice clean initiative. He even suggested we could model our efforts after the Minnesota Keep It Clean program. In 2023, their initiative became law in Minnesota. “

DNR law enforcement

Captain Greg Harson, Northwest Iowa District Law Enforcement Supervisor, gave the stance he and his conservation officers take on the issue. “We take littering seriously, and if we see littering going on, we will address the situation and write citations. The ‘Keep It Clean’ initiative will definitely help our conservation officers. We can’t always be on the ice, so we encourage everyone who sees littering happening on the ice to give one of our conservation officers a call. There is a $95 fine for littering on the lake.”

Here is the code: “No person shall discard any litter onto or in any water or land of this state.” It specifically prohibits placing waste, refuse, or litter in any area or receptacle on public lands and waters, except those provided for that purpose.

Keeping the ice clean begins with each one of us individually! If each of us does our job to “Keep It Clean,” it’s easily taken care of. So, let’s do our part, and if we see garbage on the ice, let our conservation officers know!

Port-a-pots in place

A tip of the hat goes out to the Spirit Lake Protective Association (SLPA). Its Board of Directors has authorized a trial program for the remainder of 2025 into early 2026 to put winterized Port-a-Pots at the boat ramp access areas of Mini-Wakan State Park and Marble Beach State Recreation area on Big Spirit.

SLPA has entered into a trial agreement with Iowa DNR (who must close non-winterized restrooms in Oct of each year) to provide at least one Porta-Pot at each location. These are provided in an effort to improve the “Quality of Life” for late open water anglers and ice anglers.

According to John Smeltzer, president of the SLPA, “The SLPA this will positively impact the ‘Quality of Water’ at least a little. Thanks to Tim Richey and Mike Weis of Iowa DNR for coordinating this effort and to Boji Portable Toilets https://bojiportabletoilets.com/ for ‘facility’ management.”

IGLFC volunteers Terry Thomsen and Dave Hennings placing a KEEP IT CLEAN sign!

Porta-a-pot in place at Marble Beach boat ramp.