North Dakota Ice Fishing Regulations

There are no size restrictions on fish houses, but, they are required to be manufactured of a material
that will float and to be readily removed from the ice at any time. Windows are not mandatory in fish
houses.
Owner's name
Ice that is formed on lakes by direct freezing is stronger than ice formed from melted snow
There are no size restrictions regarding the hole in
the ice while fishing, but holes with diameters
greater than 10 inches that are left in the ice, the
area in the immediate vicinity must:
Any unoccupied fish house not exhibiting the owner's
name and contact information could be removed or
destroyed by representatives of NDGF. Further, the
owner will be charged with a class 2 noncriminal
offense.
Fish House Licensing and Design Requirements
It also is illegal to leave fish houses on any federal refuge land or any state-owned or managed land
after March 15 of each year.
Vehicles used while fishing are not considered as fish houses.
Darkhouse Spearfishing Waters in ND - A listing of waters, organized alphabetically, where ice
anglers can spear for northern pike and nongame fish.
When in use, fish houses must be open for inspection at any time. Use of hooks on doors is illegal.
Ice fishing during frigid North Dakota winters can be an ideal pastime if common sense and
compliance with rules and regulations is maintained. Anglers are advised that ice is never
completely safe, so monitoring local conditions and weather patterns for signs of disruption is highly
recommended.
Depositing or leaving any litter (including refuse, bottles, cans, etc.) or other waste material on the
ice or shore is illegal.
Fishing holes outside a fish house may be placed no closer than 10 feet from the house without the
consent of the fish house occupant.
Four inches is adequate only for people, not equipment, vehicles or fish houses
Six inches is normally okay for snowmobiles
Fish houses must be removed from all waters by midnight March 15 of each year. However, the fish
houses can be used after March 15 so long as they are removed daily.
The North Dakota Fishing Guide stipulates, "A maximum of four poles is legal for ice fishing.
However, when fishing a water body where both open water and ice occur at the same time, an
angler is allowed a maximum of four poles, of which no more than two poles can be used in open
water."
From about December 1 until sometime in March, the scenery in North Dakota turns mostly white.
As winter sets in, on the frozen lakes, and on many rivers, passersby may notice more than a few
people walking or driving vehicles and putting up structures of various sizes.
Related articles by Charles Anderson:
Owners telephone number.
North Dakota is one state that has no licensing requirements for fish houses. That is not to say that
the state is lax in its rules, or that NDG&F, North Dakota Game and Fish, Department officials won't
take firm action for failures to comply with stipulations documented in the North Dakota Fishing
Guide.
Ice Fishing can be an Ideal Way to Enjoy Winter
North Dakota Fishing Guide Ice Fishing Defined
New North Dakota Fishing Regulations - A concise discussion of rules taking effect April 1, 2010
centered primarily on habitat protection against invasive nuisance aquatic species and changes in
limit and size requirements.
Placement of fish houses must be at least 50 feet apart from any other fish house unless consent is
obtained from the other fish house occupant.
Owner's address or
North Dakota does not require fish houses to be licensed. There are rules for using fish houses,
however, several rules do apply.
a brightly painted or colored wooden lath, and
12 to 15 inches is the minimum for pickup trucks.
Note that occupied fish houses do not have to display the above information.
Tip-ups are legal for ice fishing. Each tip-up is considered a single pole.
NDG&F defines ice fishing as, "Hook and line fishing that occurs while on the ice."
Although ice thickness is not always an accurate measure of its strength, there are a few guidelines
worth remembering:
be adequately marked with a natural object or
Eight to 12 inches will accommodate a small vehicle
markers must be visible from a minimum of 150 feet.
Ice two inches or less in thickness is too thin to be on at any time
Unoccupied fish houses must have displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at
least three inches high:
Ice Fishing Safety Tips
New ice is stronger than old ice