Camping on ice

[frozen eyelet]

Does anyone know what factor is used to determine whether you can camp overnight on an iowa lake or not?
Some state lakes have shacks on them for 2 months and others wont let you out on them after 1030.
I have one park that closes at 1030 that says its ok then the next one says no?

Any help appreciated trying to figure this out.  More and more people purchasing big hubs to do overnights here in Iowa the next few years and it would be nice to know what criteria stops this action from happening on certain lakes.

[IceAddict87]

I think it depends on the lake. When in doubt pop the shack up and stay the night, what’s the worst that can happen?

[Fishbonker]

I wonder if it depends on who controls the lake, city, county or state.

[Fishbonker]

I sent an email to the generic "contact us" link on the DNR web site. Here is the question I asked:

What are the guidelines for overnight camping on frozen lakes? In other words, is it legal to overnight camp on state owned/controlled lakes in the winter?

The reply:

Tom,
No, you must be off of the water by 10:30 pm when the parks close. Thank you