Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing Gear Limits:

• Ice Fishing Hook & Line
  • Fishing holes (for attended or unattended lines) cannot be larger than twelve inches (12") in diameter.
  • No more than a total of thirty (30) attended or unattended lines may be used in no more than three (3) lakes at any one time.
  • Unattended lines must have a single iron hook with a maximum 1/2 inch point to shank gape, be made of biodegradable material, be securely anchored, and be tagged with a valid identification tag obtained from your tribe. All poles used for unattended lines must be marked to be visible to vehicular traffic.
  • Prior to using unattended lines, you must inform the tribal conservation department of the lakes you intend to fish.
  • Unattended lines must be checked at least every 24 hours, unless severe weather makes this impractical.
• Spearing Through the Ice
  • Holes used for spearing through the ice may be no larger than twenty-four inches (24") by thirty-six inches (36").
  • Spearing holes should be marked so as to clearly identify them as hazards.
• Netting Through the Ice
  • If your tribe allows netting through the ice, a special netting permit is required and special rules apply. See your tribal conservation department for details.
• Ice Fishing Enclosures
  • Enclosures must be equipped with a latch that permits the door to be opened from the outside.
  • The owner's name and address must be clearly displayed on the outside of the enclosure.
  • Enclosures must be removed by March 15, except for portable shelters which must be removed daily following March 15.

A general fishing permit, which is typically your tribal ID, is generally all that is needed for hook and line or spearing through the ice, which can be picked up at the tribal conservation department or headquarters.

See the "Wisconsin Seasons, Methods, Bag, and Size Limits" table below for applicable daily bag limits.

Ice Fishing Gear Limits:

• Ice Fishing Methods
  • Fishing poles, tip-ups, and spears may be used to fish through the ice.
  • No member may ice fish with unattended lines.
  • Uncovered holes must be marked
• Ice Fishing Enclosures
  • Enclosures must be equipped with a latch that permits the door to be opened from the outside.
  • The owner's name and address, or driver's license number and license tag, must be clearly displayed on the outside of the enclosure.
  • Enclosures must be removed by March 1, except for portable shelters which must be removed daily following March 1.

A general fishing permit, which is typically your tribal ID, is generally all that is needed for hook and line or spearing through the ice, which can be picked up at the tribal conservation department or headquarters.

See the "Minnesota Seasons, Methods, Bag, and Size Limits" table below for applicable daily bag limits.