OTSEGO CO., MI -- A winter warm up is expected to bring a lot of people out on the ice this weekend.

Government officials want to remind everyone to have fun, but follow the rules.

They say as long as you follow a few simple guidelines, your weekend won't end with you paying fines.

"It was a sturgeon, and it looked to be every bit of seven foot," explained Allen Nowitzke.

Allen Nowitzke's shanty is on Otsego Lake.  He says the giant got away, but oh well, a bad day's fishing is better than a good day's work.

"I was just hoping to get a picture of something instead of me being the picture," he laughed.

He's just waiting for the big hook, line, and sinker.

DNR Conservation Officer Nick Torsky was patrolling Otsego Lake.  He stopped by Nowitzke's to make sure he was in compliance.

Nowitzke was good to go, but Torsky gives a few reminders to both fisherman and snowmobiles on the lakes.

"We need to identify the shanties in case there's a problem at the end of the season," explained Torsky.

If you have a shanty on the lake, and you leave it overnight, make sure to mark it with your name and address.  If you're fishing, make sure you have a license and know the limits.  While fishing, stay close to your tip up lines if you're using them.  And if you're riding across the lake, stay away.

"Snowmobiles have to be at least 100 feet away from any person, any shanty, or ski area or skating area that's on the ice," Torsky explained.

Break any of these rules, and face a $100 to $500 fine with a possibility of 90 days in jail.  Remember those important things, and fishermen tell me they're hoping this weekend’s warmer weather will bring better luck.

“It might get the fish biting a little better and a little more active and stuff, the last couple weeks, it's been very slow," said fisherman Marvin Evans.

The DNR also reminds people that no ice is safe ice, so be careful if you take to the ice-covered lake.