Ask Fish and Game: Ice fishing rules

Q. If I can have five poles for ice fishing, does a two-pole permit mean I can have 10?

A. No. Ice fishing rules are slightly different than general fishing for public safety and general crowding. Fishing is allowed only through a hole up to 10 inches in diameter. This reduces the risk of someone falling through holes. (The only exception is on Bear Lake in Southeast Idaho where anglers can dip-net cisco through any size hole.) There are no restrictions on the number of holes, but an angler can fish with up to five poles or lines at a time, and up to five hooks per line. A two-pole validation does not allow more than five lines while ice fishing. All lines must be attended by the angler. Anglers also should check the rule book for regional restrictions.