Minnesota Fishing Licenses Expire Friday

ST. PAUL (AP) - As the cold weather extends the chance to ice fish in Minnesota, officials reminding anglers that their 2013 fishing licenses expire Friday.

New licenses for 2014 will be required to fish starting Saturday. They're now available from license agents, the Department of Natural Resources website or by phone.

Customers who purchase licenses online via smartphones won't receive a conventional paper license. Instead, they'll receive a text message or email that serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to conservation officers.

The deadline for removing ice fishing shelters from inland lakes is Monday night in the southern two-thirds of Minnesota and March 17 in the northern third. Conservation officers say some anglers have started removing them already because it's been difficult to chisel them out of the ice.