Rules & Regulations for Ice Fishing Lake of the Woods
Provided by the DNR
(Excluding Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River)
Lines
No more than two lines may be used by any one angler, this includes the use of tip-ups. No angler may leave their line(s) unattended (if you leave your shelter, ensure your lines
are out of the water). Limits and Size Restrictions (dressed sauger count as walleye)
Walleye/Sauger:
From December 1 to April 14, the daily and possession limits are as follows: six in the
aggregate, no more than 4 may be walleye and not more than one walleye over 28.0
inches. (examples: 5 sauger / 1 walleye --- 4 sauger / 2 walleye --- 3 sauger / 3 walleye). All
walleye in possession must be less than 19.5 inches in length or greater than 28.0 inches
in length. All walleye that are 19.5 to 28.0 inches in length, inclusive, must be
immediately returned to the water. Northern Pike:
All northern pike in possession must be less than 30 inches or greater than 40 inches in
length. All northern pike that are 30 to 40 inches in length, inclusive, must be
immediately returned to the water. A person’s daily and possession limit for northern
pike is three, and must not include more than one northern pike over 40 inches in
length. Kept Fish
All fish kept must be countable, walleye and northern pike must be measurable. Do not
freeze fish into a clump or a bucket of water. Possession of Fillets
Filleting of fish is only allowed on the lake when in immediate preparation of a meal
(fish may not be filleted on the lake for transport). Immediate preparation of a meal
means that you are in the process of preparing a meal that is to be cooked and consumed
shortly thereafter (i.e. Unconsumed cooked fillets will count
towards your daily and possession limit. Carcasses of fish that were filleted for a meal on
the lake must be maintained for the duration of the day and in such a way that they are
measurable and countable. These carcasses are part of your daily and possession limit. Carcasses may be disposed of the following day, allowing you to replenish your limit. Littering
Do not leave any trash behind, do not dispose of fish carcasses on the ice and do not
leave unwanted fish on the ice.
