Fire on the ice?

[74mph]

Does anyone know if it is illegal to have a fire on the ice on Minnesota Lakes?

1) Place the logs right on the ice?

or

2) Bring out one of those fire pits you might have on your deck?

Whats the word?

[fishinfey8]

It is illegal to build a fire directly on the ice...I DO know that. But, I'm not sure about having a fire pit that's elevated off the ice.

[titelines]

We've done it before, on remote lakes, not in the metro or anything. Clear a spot so it's relatively snow-free. Cut some larger logs to size and lay them on the ice, then build your fire right on top of them...So your fire is not directly on the ice. We put a grate on top of that and do some cooking.

When done, we extinguish it completely with both water and snow, then shovel the debris back on shore, so it doesn't get dumped in the water come spring thaw.

Illegal? Honestly not sure. We always clean up after ourselves, and the fact that it's winter; the threat of starting a forest fire is really rare. But we still make sure everything is COMPLETELY doused before tossing it back in the snow. When it stops smoking/steaming and you can handle everything without gloves, we know it's good.

Again, this is on remote lakes. If I were in the metro or something, I'd probably go to the trouble to bring a little fire pit like you describe out with us. Would be easier to pack all the ashes etc. out when you leave.

[74mph]

So I was figuring that it is illegal to have it right on the Ice. I read some rules about litter, deposits, ect ect that basically kept you from legally having one on the ice.

But why not a little fire pit. Its basically not different that a charcoal grill and people do that all the time....

[Ice Shack Baby]

A couple of years ago, some people had a fire directly on the ice near my ice shack. A week later a CO stopped by and asked if I knew the people who had the fire. He wasn't a happy man. Taking that into consideration, I believe that it is not legal to have a fire on the ice and is legal to have one if it is in a portable fireplace.

[deerminator]

I would think it would be illegal because of the ashes and wood that would melt and fall into the lake in the spring. At the very least I would think the DNR would frown on it. A fire pit would be good though. Heck, even a 50 gallon drum cut in half if you hauled it out with you. It should not present much of a safety issue even building a fire directly on the ice as there would not be much melt. Our neighbor used to build bonfires on his slough long ago while the family ice skated and it barely left a depression on the ice.

[bobber_down_1979]

I don't know why this seems to be such a mystery. The government cetainly does a poor job of making this kind of information available. I called a foresty person in my neck of the woods a few weeks back with the same exact questions. I pressed him about the subject, but he would not say it was illegal to have a fire on the ice. Not sure if he knew what he was talking about, but he said that it is not something like to see done. He said that he would "prefer" we use a fire pit. We used a fire pit for our party and it worked well. If it helps think of it this way. If you are planning on a group activity, many people are going to be scared of being anywhere near a fire on the ice. Not to stereo type but the ladies get really nervous about that kind of stuff.

[74mph]

Haha good point!! Dont want to scare them away!

[GotALunker]

everytime I go fishing, theres a "fire on the ice".

[herefish101]

This discussion has been on here many times, I'd do a search and see what comes up.

[Twins Guy]

everytime I go fishing, theres a "fire on the ice".

IALTO!

[Dubleaa]

Doh K

[Tom7227]

2010 Minnesota Statutes

609.68 UNLAWFUL DEPOSIT OF GARBAGE, LITTER, OR LIKE.

Whoever unlawfully deposits garbage, rubbish, cigarette filters, debris from fireworks, offal, or the body of a dead animal, or other litter in or upon any public highway, public waters or the ice thereon, shoreland areas adjacent to rivers or streams as defined by section 103F.205, public lands, or, without the consent of the owner, private lands or water or ice thereon, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

[The_Seasock]

Years ago guys I know would build a new fish house each season. Rather than move them off the ice and store them all summer long, they would set them on fire at the end of the season and burn them till nothing was left. They never got in trouble.

[jBohmer]

2010 Minnesota Statutes

609.68 UNLAWFUL DEPOSIT OF GARBAGE, LITTER, OR LIKE.

Whoever unlawfully deposits garbage, rubbish, cigarette filters, debris from fireworks, offal, or the body of a dead animal, or other litter in or upon any public highway, public waters or the ice thereon, shoreland areas adjacent to rivers or streams as defined by section 103F.205, public lands, or, without the consent of the owner, private lands or water or ice thereon, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

Not sure if the above means it is illegal. Cannot imagine ashes as litter. I acually think that is good for the lake. Charcoal is used to filer water... think about that.

I think it could be a mess though, say some larger chunks do not cleaned up and freeze into the ice. Could be tough on the tires. I know that an elevated fire pit is ok and I have heard of people dragging out an old car hood and having a fire on that instead. No mess, no fuss. Just pull it off of the lake when done.

[timjones]

Not sure if the above means it is illegal. Cannot imagine ashes as litter. I acually think that is good for the lake. Charcoal is used to filer water... think about that.

From Merriam-Webster:

Definition of ILLEGAL

: not according to or authorized by law : unlawful

Definition of UNLAWFUL

: not lawful : illegal

Unlawful, illegal, I guess I don't see the difference. NO, ashes are not good for a lake. It's pure algae food.

[PurpleFloyd]

[Twins Guy]

Years ago guys I know would build a new fish house each season. Rather than move them off the ice and store them all summer long, they would set them on fire at the end of the season and burn them till nothing was left. They never got in trouble.

that's because they didn't get caught in the process and probably didn't leave any identifying info. these days COs are taking pictures and documenting locations of permies, along with license/permit numbers in order to prevent this kind of junk.

not sure if having a small bonfire and cleaning up ashes leaving only a fire scar would get you in trouble. but do you want to find out? how difficult is it to use a trash can lid or fire bowl?

i do know that in the BWCA the forest service recommends camping on the ice-rather than trampling on shore plants. they recommend building a base of logs for on ice campfires-if not using a fire pan. once the fire is out all logs and ashes are to be dispersed in the woods and away from shore.

[croixflats]

Quote:

I have heard of people dragging out an old car hood and having a fire on that instead.

If you run into them again let them know I need the hood back. My belts keep slipping from the snow.

[timjones]

Are you sure about that? It runs contrary to what i learned in Biology but who knows, maybe they were wrong.

Here is an excerpt from an article that i just pulled up"

A non-chemical way to control algae in ponds is to add ashes to the water. Aquatic plants will feed and grow strong on the potassium in ashes and help crowd out algae. The recommended ratio is just one tablespoon of ashes for every 1,000 gallons of water.

Read more: What to Do With Fireplace Ashes? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5184486_do-fireplace-ashes_.html#ixzz1BipIH6sr

And..

CONTROL POND ALGAE:

We’ve talked about adding plants to control pond algae, but sprinkling wood ash in the water will also control algae buildup in the pond.

I don't know about POND ALGAE but wood ashes contain phosphorus which is a nutrient for the blue-green algae that grows in lakes. This stuff can be hazardous to your health and your pets during certain times of the year. You do not want to let your dog drink the lake water when it is in bloom.

[jBohmer]

"fire on ice" threads always seem to "fire" people up. Anyway, I am sorry but ashes are not litter. A guy earlier said that he called and asked and the guy would not say "illegal". Is he lying? I also do not think that a few random fires on ice is gonna cause an algae bloom the world has never seen. I wanna know for sure if there is a law that flat out says:

You cannot have a fire on the ice, but you can drive all over it with salty snow globbed fendered cars and trucks, cut holes all over it with smelly 2-cycle engines.

Then I may feel guitly if I ever had the desire to have a fire on the ice. I think just normal common sense good courtesy would allow someone to do this wothout bothering anyone. Just someone tell me if they have got in trouble for this or got a warning from a CO.

[titelines]

Exactly what I'm talking about in my earlier post.

[Twins Guy]

right on man-i don't have any problem with what you describe. not sure what a CO would say in other parts of the state? within the jurisdiction of the Forest Service in the BWCA proper (if not the entire Superior National Forest?) you would be in the clear.

tg

[Acemac]

I see sticks sticking out of spear holes all the time whats the diff???