My brother, who lives in Bemidji, has a 38-foot Ice Castle fish house. He indicated that it is the largest Ice Castle has made. It has 10 fishing holes with covers. It also has a big-screen satellite TV, shower, microwave, stove, refrigerator, 2 queen-size beds and bathroom.

My brother and his wife had the house on Lake Bemidji last year. They spent many hours sleeping and fishing on the lake.

The winter of 2013-2014 does not look good for putting fish houses on Lake Bemidji. As of December 15, 2013, there were 6 inches of slush on the lake and very few fish houses of any kind. The December snowstorm dumped about 2 feet of snow in the area.

The weather in Minnesota dictates the ice fishing agenda. Hopefully the huge Ice Castle house can be pulled out this year.

Greg Rasmus, Lakeville
SEND US YOUR ICE-FISHING HOUSES! Cabin Country wants to celebrate your cold-weather hideouts this winter, everything from ice-fishing houses to cozy winter cabins. Send your story and photos to cabins@startribune.com or submit online at www.startribune.com/hideouts.