Anglers are beginning to take to the ice to enjoy a favorite North Dakota winter pastime. With the start of ice fishing season, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department receives numerous questions from anglers wanting to clarify regulations. Some of the more common questions are listed below. If the answer to your question is not here, call the department at 701-328-6300.

Q: Does the Game and Fish Department have a fishing or ice thickness hotline?
A: No. The department does not issue official fishing reports. Ice thickness can vary considerably within a lake and cannot be predicted. A local bait shop might be the best source for information on ice thickness and fishing opportunities on a favorite lake.

Q: When is ice considered safe?
A: Ice is never completely safe. Caution is always advised when venturing on ice. However, a general rule of thumb is four inches will support a group of people walking single file; six inches for a snowmobile or ATV; 8-12 inches for an automobile; and 12-15 inches for a pickup truck.

Q: How many poles can I use while ice fishing?
A: While fishing through the ice a maximum of four poles can be used in all waters where ice fishing is open.

Q: Can I use dead minnows on "no-live-baitfish" lakes?
A: Yes, but they must be preserved by freezing, salting or otherwise treated to inactivate sexual products. You cannot possess live baitfish on lakes where it is prohibited.

Q: Is it legal to leave litter or waste material on the ice?
A: No. Depositing or leaving any litter, refuse, rubbish, bottles, cans or other waste material on the ice is illegal.

Q: Is there a size restriction for a fish hole in the ice while fishing with hook and line?
A: Yes, a hole in the ice can be no larger than 12 inches in diameter.

Q: Is there a size restriction for a hole while spearfishing from a darkhouse?
A: There are no size restrictions for the hole in the ice while spearfishing from a darkhouse.

Q: While spearfishing from a darkhouse, does my spear count as one of my four poles?
A: Yes.

Q: Are all fish species legal for darkhouse spearfishing?
A: No, the only legal species are northern pike and nongame species, such as bullhead, buffalo and carp.

Q: While I am spearfishing from a darkhouse, can I fish with hook-and-line in the same hole?
A: No, in order to use hook and line the hole must be smaller than 12 inches in diameter.

Q: Do the fish I catch while spearfishing from a darkhouse count toward my daily limit with fish caught by hook and line, or are the limits separate?
A: The daily limit combines fish you spear with fish caught by hook and line.

Q: Do I have to register before going darkhouse spearfishing?
A: Yes, the department develops an address base for a survey to determine use and harvest.

Q: Where do I register for darkhouse spearfishing?
A: Registration is available at the department website, gf.nd.gov, or at any North Dakota Game and Fish Department office.

Q: Does my child under 16 still have to register for darkhouse spearfishing?
A: Yes, all persons, regardless of age, must register.

Q: Where should I write the registration number for my child who is under 16 years old?
A: Write your child's registration number on your fishing license.

Q: Are there any new lakes added to the list of lakes open to darkhouse spearfishing?
A: Yes, the list of lakes that are open to darkhouse spearfishing increased from 31 to 37. The six lakes added this year are South Eckelson, Barnes County; Sibley Lake, Griggs County; Stump Lake, Nelson County; Lake Irvine, Ramsey County; Island Lake, Rolette County; and Sunday Lake, Stutsman County.

Q: I am making my own spear for spearfishing. Is there a size restriction for a spear?
A: No.

Q: Does a fish house need to be licensed?
A: No.

Q: Does my fish house need to have identification?
A: Occupied structures do not require identification. However, any unoccupied fish house must have displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high, the owner's name, and either address or telephone number.

Q: How close can my fish house be to another one?
A: Fish houses may be placed no closer than 50 feet in any direction to each other.

Q: When does my fish house have to be removed from the ice?
A: Fish houses shall be removed from all waters by midnight, March 15, of each year.