11-28-2004, 02:18 AM
Ice Fishing in Wisconsin ![[Image: icekidslittle.jpg]](http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/images/icekidslittle.jpg)
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General Information
You'll find information on safety, techniques and brief descriptions and illustrations of the types of equipment used in ice fishing in our on-line publication, [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/pubs/2index.htm"]Ice Fishing: What to Know Before You Go[/url]. You might want to read about a team approach to ice fishing in "[url "http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2001/feb01/tag.htm"]Rod Squad[/url]" in the February 2001 issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Please be sure to read our [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/on/2000/ON000104.htm#art3"]Tips for Staying Safe[/url] on the ice. [/url]
Regulations
There are no specific ice fishing regulations. However, hook and line [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/4index.htm"]regulations, restrictions, licensing requirements, and open seasons[/url] do apply. [/url]Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions concerning the application of Wisconsin's hook and line regulations to ice fishing:
How many tip-ups and poles can one person have on the ice at one time?
Answer: An angler may use no more than three hooks, baits or lures. Therefore, you can have any combination of tip-ups and poles as long as it totals no more than three. For example, an angler may have: [ul][li] three tip-ups and no poles, or[/li][li]one pole and two tip-ups.[/li][/ul]
When ice fishing using tip-ups, is there are requirement that the angler's name be marked on the tip-up?
Answer: No, an angler does not need to put his or her name on the tip-up.
Is there a requirement regarding the spacing or distance between the tip-ups?
Answer: There are no regulations regarding the spacing or distance between tip-ups.
Is there a requirement regarding the distance between an angler and their tip-ups?
Answer: There are no regulations regarding the distance between an angler and their tip-ups or poles. However, the angler must be able to respond to his or her tip-up immediately when the flag goes up.
Do I need a permit or license for my ice fishing shelter?
Answer: No.
Do I need a name and address on my ice fishing shanty or shelter, even if it is portable?
Answer: It depends. The name and address (in English) of the person owning or using any fishing shelter must be legibly painted or permanently affixed on the outside of the shelter in block lettering at least one inch square in contrasting colors, when the shelter is left on the ice and is not occupied or otherwise in use.
However, beginning April 1, 2002, fishing shelters that are occupied or otherwise in use and removed from the ice daily are exempt from this requirement. If you remove the shelter from the ice when you come off the ice, a name and address is not required.
Can I lock the door of my ice fishing shelter?
Answer: Yes, but only when the shelter is unoccupied. The door must be unlocked while the shelter is occupied.
How large a hole can I make in the ice?
Answer: Up to 12 inches, but no larger.
[/url]Season Dates
There are no specific dates for ice fishing in Wisconsin. Ice conditions vary depending upon the weather. However, open [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/seasons/"]season dates[/url] do apply, with the season for most game fish ending on March 1 of a given year. [/url] Ice Shelter Removal Dates
There are specific dates which apply to the removal dates of fishing (i.e., ice) shelters on certain Wisconsin waters:
Wisconsin Waters Ice Shelter Removal Date Wisconsin/Iowa Boundary Waters Remove on or before February 20 Wisconsin/Minnesota Boundary Waters Remove on or before March 1 Inland Waters South of Hwy 64 Remove daily and when not in use after March 5 Wisconsin/Michigan Boundary Waters Remove on or before March 15 Fox River, downstream of DePere Dam (Brown County)
Remove daily and when not in use Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Green Bay and Inland Waters North of Hwy 64
Remove daily and when not in use after March 15
The DNR may direct that fishing shelters be removed from the ice by a date earlier than specified if it has reason to believe that the ice has become unsafe. [/url] Ice Fishing for Kids
Kids, you may enjoy reading about [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/icefish.htm"]ice fishing[/url] on our EKK! web pages. [/url]Fishing Reports and Ice Conditions
General information on ice conditions and fishing reports are available for selected spots throughout the state in the Wisconsin [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/index.htm"]Wisconsin Outdoor Report[/url] on a weekly basis. Since ice conditions can change rapidly, it is always best to check local weather reports and/or a local source. Many private fishing clubs, chambers of commerce and local newspapers maintain internet sites with ice fishing conditions and reports.
For additional information on Wisconsin fishing, (e.g., maps, fish consumption advisories), please see our list of [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/faq/index.htm"]Frequently Asked Questions[/url].
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[/url]General Information
You'll find information on safety, techniques and brief descriptions and illustrations of the types of equipment used in ice fishing in our on-line publication, [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/pubs/2index.htm"]Ice Fishing: What to Know Before You Go[/url]. You might want to read about a team approach to ice fishing in "[url "http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2001/feb01/tag.htm"]Rod Squad[/url]" in the February 2001 issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Please be sure to read our [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/on/2000/ON000104.htm#art3"]Tips for Staying Safe[/url] on the ice. [/url]
Regulations
There are no specific ice fishing regulations. However, hook and line [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/4index.htm"]regulations, restrictions, licensing requirements, and open seasons[/url] do apply. [/url]Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions concerning the application of Wisconsin's hook and line regulations to ice fishing:
How many tip-ups and poles can one person have on the ice at one time?
Answer: An angler may use no more than three hooks, baits or lures. Therefore, you can have any combination of tip-ups and poles as long as it totals no more than three. For example, an angler may have: [ul][li] three tip-ups and no poles, or[/li][li]one pole and two tip-ups.[/li][/ul]
When ice fishing using tip-ups, is there are requirement that the angler's name be marked on the tip-up?
Answer: No, an angler does not need to put his or her name on the tip-up.
Is there a requirement regarding the spacing or distance between the tip-ups?
Answer: There are no regulations regarding the spacing or distance between tip-ups.
Is there a requirement regarding the distance between an angler and their tip-ups?
Answer: There are no regulations regarding the distance between an angler and their tip-ups or poles. However, the angler must be able to respond to his or her tip-up immediately when the flag goes up.
Do I need a permit or license for my ice fishing shelter?
Answer: No.
Do I need a name and address on my ice fishing shanty or shelter, even if it is portable?
Answer: It depends. The name and address (in English) of the person owning or using any fishing shelter must be legibly painted or permanently affixed on the outside of the shelter in block lettering at least one inch square in contrasting colors, when the shelter is left on the ice and is not occupied or otherwise in use.
However, beginning April 1, 2002, fishing shelters that are occupied or otherwise in use and removed from the ice daily are exempt from this requirement. If you remove the shelter from the ice when you come off the ice, a name and address is not required.
Can I lock the door of my ice fishing shelter?
Answer: Yes, but only when the shelter is unoccupied. The door must be unlocked while the shelter is occupied.
How large a hole can I make in the ice?
Answer: Up to 12 inches, but no larger.
[/url]Season Dates
There are no specific dates for ice fishing in Wisconsin. Ice conditions vary depending upon the weather. However, open [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/seasons/"]season dates[/url] do apply, with the season for most game fish ending on March 1 of a given year. [/url] Ice Shelter Removal Dates
There are specific dates which apply to the removal dates of fishing (i.e., ice) shelters on certain Wisconsin waters:
Wisconsin Waters Ice Shelter Removal Date Wisconsin/Iowa Boundary Waters Remove on or before February 20 Wisconsin/Minnesota Boundary Waters Remove on or before March 1 Inland Waters South of Hwy 64 Remove daily and when not in use after March 5 Wisconsin/Michigan Boundary Waters Remove on or before March 15 Fox River, downstream of DePere Dam (Brown County)
Remove daily and when not in use Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Green Bay and Inland Waters North of Hwy 64
Remove daily and when not in use after March 15
The DNR may direct that fishing shelters be removed from the ice by a date earlier than specified if it has reason to believe that the ice has become unsafe. [/url] Ice Fishing for Kids
Kids, you may enjoy reading about [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/icefish.htm"]ice fishing[/url] on our EKK! web pages. [/url]Fishing Reports and Ice Conditions
General information on ice conditions and fishing reports are available for selected spots throughout the state in the Wisconsin [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/index.htm"]Wisconsin Outdoor Report[/url] on a weekly basis. Since ice conditions can change rapidly, it is always best to check local weather reports and/or a local source. Many private fishing clubs, chambers of commerce and local newspapers maintain internet sites with ice fishing conditions and reports.
For additional information on Wisconsin fishing, (e.g., maps, fish consumption advisories), please see our list of [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/faq/index.htm"]Frequently Asked Questions[/url].
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