Minnesota anglers gearing up for the upcoming ice fishing season have some new rules to keep in mind. The state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently updated regulations to allow certain automatic hook-setting devices and has increased the maximum length for multiple-hook configurations, changes which the department believes will help reduce fish mortality. These updates, which were guided by public input, are effective immediately for the coming ice fishing season.
“We want to make sure anglers are aware of these recent rule changes as they enjoy the last days of open water and prepare for ice fishing season,” said John Dunn, DNR’s fisheries rules and regulations coordinator. “Robust public input helped guide our development of these rules, and we are excited to implement them beginning this winter season.”
Automatic Hook-Setters Get the Green Light
In a significant change for ice anglers, the DNR has legalized the use of certain non-motorized automatic hook-setting devices.
- What’s Legal: Devices that use the force of a spring or the tension of a bent fishing pole to set the hook when a fish bites the bait. These are often used in conjunction with “tip-up” style angling.
- The Rationale: These devices are typically triggered automatically when a fish hits the bait. The DNR anticipates that a quicker, automatic hook-set may reduce the number of swallowed or deeply set hooks, which is a major factor in hooking mortality.
- The Restriction: The hook-setting component must be non-motorized. While motorized jigging devices that are not designed to set the hook are legal, the device must not be capable of automatically reeling in the line or retrieving the fish itself.
Also all existing tip-up rules still apply: anglers must remain within 200 feet of the device and cannot leave them unattended.
Greater Distance for Multiple Hooks
The DNR has also provided clarity and increased the maximum length for how multiple hooks can be configured on a single fishing line. This change applies to all Minnesota fishing, not just ice fishing.
| Old Rule (Maximum) | New Rule (Maximum) |
| • 9 inches between hooks (measured along the line) | • 18 inches between hooks (measured along the line) |
| • A single line cannot have more than three hooks (Unchanged) | • A single line cannot have more than three hooks (Unchanged) |
The decision to increase the distance to a maximum of 18 inches is specifically intended to better accommodate fishing for larger gamefish. Similar to the hook-setting device change, the DNR expects the increased length will reduce the number of deeply set hooks, thereby decreasing hooking mortality and improving the survival rate of released fish.
Anglers should note that because these changes were adopted after the current 2024 fishing regulations booklet was published, they will officially be included in the 2026 Minnesota fishing regulations set for release next March. In the meantime, all regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR website.
