Rafts should be stored on shore over the winter to dry out and prevent ice damage. You can pull the raft from the water after the loons hatch chicks and begin brooding, or, if the pair does not successfully hatch chicks, after mid-July (when it is too late for nest initiation).

We strongly recommend storing the raft as close as possible to its summer location, for example along the shoreline of the cove in which the raft floats. Minimizing travel distance reduces the chance of losing nest material/vegetation from the raft during transport. It is important to obtain landowner permission for storage on private property, and, where possible, to store the raft inconspicuously, so that the shoreline looks natural. 

Rafts can become waterlogged over the course of the summer and are typically heavy by the end of the season. When possible, we recommend having a team of 4 people to pull the raft ashore. This allows for one person to lift each corner, which lightens the load for all and reduces the chance that the raft will be tipped up on its side during the process of pulling it ashore (which can lead to loss of vegetation/nest material). A heavy raft can be towed to the shoreline and propped up slightly on cinderblocks that rest in shallow water; as long as the raft itself is above the late-summer water level, it does not need to be moved entirely out of the lake in most cases. 

We recommend placing the anchors on shore and keeping at least one anchor attached to the raft. This ensures that if spring water level rise is sufficient to float the raft, the raft will not become adrift on the lake. 

To prevent the raft cover from collapsing under the weight of winter snowfall, consider supporting it by wedging one or two sturdy sticks between the cover and the floor of the raft.

Some rafts are left floating in the lake year-round, where necessary, but this is the rare exception and shortens the useful lifespan of the raft.