Ice fishing regulations can be complicated across North America as some states follow the same rules year-round, some have rules specific for ice fishing, and some don’t have ice fishing at all!
Ice fishing regulations vary significantly for each state, as some will allow only a single pole to be used at a time and other states have no limits. Regulations apply to shelters, hole sizes, and more. An overview of each state can give you an idea of how ice fishing changes across North America.
Below are the ice fishing regulations of North America for all 50 states and Canada. Mexico has no ice fishing and is not included on this list.
Ice Fishing Regulations For All 50 States
Below is a brief overview of ice fishing regulations for all of the 50 states across the U.S., or notes if the state does not have ice fishing opportunities.
1. Alabama
Alabama is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
2. Alaska
Ice fishing season: November to March.
Line limit: 2 Lines, one hook or lure each. Pike and Burbot have exceptions depending on the body of water.
Hole size limit: None.
Other notes: Alaska is home to many fish requiring tags and strict limits, and regulations vary across the state.
3. Arizona
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: 2 lines, two hooks per line maximum.
Hole size limit: 8-inch diameter.
Other regulations: Many bodies of water across Arizona have regulations for bag limits and tackle restrictions, so check accordingly.
4. Arkansas
Arkansas is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
5. California
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: 1 line with no more than two hooks, 2-pole licenses available.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: California has few regulations specific to ice fishing and limited fishing opportunities.
6. Colorado
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: 1 with a standard license, 2 with a 2nd-rod stamp.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: Temporary ice shelters must be taken down at the end of the day, and permanent shelters must bear the name and contact information of the owner in 2-inch letters.
7. Connecticut
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: 6 lines, up to 3 hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Marine and inland fishing limits differ, and Connecticut has regulations specific to many bodies of water, so check before you fish.
8. Delaware
Ice fishing season: January and February.
Line limit: 2 rods, five ice fishing tip-ups are permitted and no more than three hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Generally, Delaware has minimal ice fishing, so exercise caution and check ice depth frequently.
9. Florida
Florida is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
10. Georgia
Georgia is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
11. Hawaii
Hawaii is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
12. Idaho
Ice fishing season: December through February.
Line limit: Up to 5 poles at a time, with up to five hooks per line.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: Shelter’s on the ice can be left unattended provided the angler provides their name, address, and phone number on two sides of the structure.
13. Illinois
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: 3 lines, no more than two hooks per line.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: Shelters must be removed after March 1st when not in use, and may not be left unattended at any time.
14. Indiana
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 3 lines, no more than three hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: Ice shelters set up before Jan 1. and after Feb. 15 must be removed at the end of each day.
15. Iowa
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: 2 lines with a standard license, 3 with an additional line permit, and no more than two hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: N/A.
16. Kansas
Ice fishing standards January and February.
Line limit: 2 rods and eight tip-ups are allowed with no more than two hooks per line.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: Vehicles cannot be on ice 1/2 hour before sunrise or 1/2 hour after sundown.
17. Kentucky
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: No limit.
Hole size limit: N/A.
Other regulations: Kentucky has few regulations specific to ice fishing.
18. Louisiana
Louisiana is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
19. Maine
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: 5 lines, one hook/lure per line.
Hole size limit: No limit.
Other regulations: Maine has specific regulations regarding smelt, allowing for more than one hook per line.
20. Maryland
Ice fishing season: January and February.
Line limit: 5 lines between rods and tip-ups.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: No fishing is allowed before 5:30 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
21. Massachusetts
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: Up to 5 lines and five hooks in total.
Hole size limit: No limit.
Other regulations: Massachusetts uses a hook limit (5) rather than lines, so one rod could have multiple hooks.
22. Michigan
Ice fishing season: December to April.
Line limit: Up to 3 lines and up to six hooks/lures in total.
Hole size limit: No statewide limit, 12 inches on Lake Erie.
Other regulations: Temporary ice shelters must be taken down at the end of the day, and permanent shelters must bear the name and contact information of the owner in 2-inch letters.
23. Minnesota
Ice fishing season: November to April.
Line limit: 2 lines, one hook/lure per line.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: Holes in the ice can be larger for bow fishing and spearfishing during winter.
24. Mississippi
Mississippi is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
25. Missouri
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to three unlabeled poles; any additional poles must have a name and address and up to 33 hooks in total.
Hole size limit: No limit.
Other regulations: Missouri does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
26. Montana
Ice fishing season: December to April.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than two hooks per line.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: Some water bodies will allow up to 6 lines to be used.
27. Nebraska
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 5 lines, no more than two hooks per line.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: Nebraska does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
28. Nevada
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks per line.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: Nevada has limited ice fishing opportunities and regulations.
29. New Hampshire
Ice fishing season: December to April.
Line limit: Up to 6 lines, no specified hook limit.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Water sharing a border with Maine allows up to 5 lines, and Great East Lake up to 2 lines.
30. New Jersey
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: Up to 5 lines can be used.
Hole size limit: none, 9-inch minimum recommended.
Other regulations: All tip-ups must be marked with name, number, and address.
31. New Mexico
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: 1 with a standard license, 2 with Second Rod Validation.
Hole size limit: 8 inches.
Other regulations: Check bodies of water for specific regulations. New Mexico has limited opportunities for ice fishing, each with specifics.
32. New York
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 7 lines, no more than five lures or baits per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: All waterways in New York allow ice fishing unless specified, a relatively recent change.
33. North Carolina
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: No limit.
Hole size limit: No limit.
Other regulations: None.
34. North Dakota
Ice fishing season: November to March.
Line limit: Up to 4 lines, no more than three hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: No restriction; holes greater than 10 inches must be marked.
Other regulations: Fishing within 10 feet of an ice shelter requires permission from the owner. All unoccupied ice houses must be removed on March 15th.
35. Ohio
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 2 rods and six tip-ups per person.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: Ohio does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
36. Oklahoma
Ice fishing season: January and February.
Line limit: Up to 7 lines, no more than three hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Oklahoma has a minimal and sporadic ice fishing season.
37. Oregon
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: Up to 5 lines, no more than three hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: Oregon does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
38. Pennsylvania
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 5 lines, no hook restriction.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: Pymatuning reservoir allows a maximum of three hooks per line.
39. Rhode Island
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: Up to 5 lines, each with a single hook/lure.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Waters shares with Connecticut allow up to 6 lines.
40. South Carolina
South Carolina is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
41. South Dakota
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 4 lines, no more than three hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Minnesota border waters allow a maximum of 2 lines used.
42. Tennessee
Tennessee is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
43. Texas
Texas is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
44. Utah
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lures.
Hole size limit: 18 inches.
Other regulations: Utah does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
45. Vermont
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: Up to 8 lines, no more than two hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Up to 15 lines are allowed at Lake Champlain.
46. Virginia
Virginia is not a state with an ice fishing season or regulations.
47. Washington
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: 1 line, 2 lines with 2nd pole endorsement, no more than three hooks/lures per line.
Hole size limit: 8-inch hole recommended.
Other regulations: Washington does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
48. West Virginia
Ice fishing season: January and February.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no rules on hooks.
Hole size limit: 10 inches.
Other regulations: West Virginia has limited ice fishing opportunities.
49. Wisconsin
Ice fishing season: November to April.
Line limit: 3 lines, each with a single hook/lure.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: Wisconsin does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
50. Wyoming
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 6 lines, no more than three hooks/lures each line.
Hole size limit: 12 inches.
Other regulations: The angler’s name and number must be posted on all lines if using more than two.
Ice Fishing Regulations For Canadian Provinces And Territories
Each Canadian province has its own ice fishing regulations, outlined below.
1. Alberta
Ice fishing season: December to April.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lures.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Ice fishing regulations can vary significantly from one body of water to the next.
2. British Columbia
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lures.
Hole size limit: 8 inches.
Other regulations: Each part of the province has regulations specific to it.
3. Manitoba
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than two hooks/lures.
Hole size limit: None. Lakes may have their limits.
Other regulations: All hooks must be barbless.
4. New Brunswick
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: Up to 5 lines, no more than three hooks/lures.
Hole size limit: No restriction; holes larger than 25 centimeters must be marked.
Other regulations: International bodies of water have their regulations.
5. Newfoundland and Labrador
Ice fishing season: November to March.
Line limit: Up to three lines, each with a single hook/lure.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: No ice fishing is allowed after April 15th.
6. Nova Scotia
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: 1 fishing line with no more than three hooks/lures.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Nova Scotia does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
7. Ontario
Ice fishing season: December to February.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lure per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Fishing regulations remain the same for ice and open-water fishing.
8. Prince Edward Island
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lure per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Ice fishing is allowed only at Glenfinnan and O’Keefes Lakes.
9. Quebec
Ice fishing season: January to March.
Line limit: 1 fishing line with no more than three hooks/lures.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Quebec does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
10. Saskatchewan
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lure per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Fishing licenses are required to enter an ice tent.
11. Northwest Territories
Ice fishing season: December to May.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lure per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Northwest Territories does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
12. Nunavut
Ice fishing season: November to May.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lure per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Nunavut does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
13. Yukon
Ice fishing season: December to March.
Line limit: Up to 2 lines, no more than three hooks/lure per line.
Hole size limit: None.
Other regulations: Yukon does not have any other unique ice fishing regulations.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, a brief overview of the differences between each state and province’s ice fishing regulations. Ice fishing regulations can change, so double-check the area you plan to fish in before going.
You’ll also want to check daily bag limits and possession limits, as well as familiarize the different species in the water you are fishing to identify them correctly.
Ice fishing can also be dangerous, so be careful, dress appropriately, and bring a buddy to stay safe.