Can You Have A Fire While Ice Fishing? Legality & Safety Tips

When most people think of ice fishing, they think of sitting out on a frozen lake in the middle of winter, trying to catch a fish through a hole in the ice. But did you know that you can also have a fire while ice fishing? It’s true! In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of having a fire while ice fishing, and we will give you some tips on how to do it safely.

So, can you have a fire while ice fishing?

In general, the answer is yes but you should check with your local laws and regulations first.

Is it legal to build a fire on the ice in Maine?

In Maine, it is legal to build a fire on the ice as long as you are more than 150 feet from any structure or body of water.

Is it legal to have a fire on a frozen lake in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, it is legal to have a fire on a frozen lake as long as you are more than 25 feet from any body of water.

Can you have a fire on a frozen Lake Ontario?

In Ontario, you can have a fire on a frozen lake as long as you are more than 100 feet from any body of water.

Is it legal to build a fire on the ice in Alaska?

In Alaska, it is legal to build a fire on the ice as long as you are more than 100 feet from any body of water.

Ice fishing fire safety tips

It’s definitely possible to have a fire while ice fishing, and there are a few reasons why you might want to do it. For one, a fire can help keep you warm on a cold day. It can also be used to cook food or to heat up your tackle box. If you can’t use fire to heat you up, you can opt to have ice fishing heaters.

There are some risks associated with having a fire while ice fishing. For one, if the fire gets too big, it can melt the ice and cause you to fall in. It’s also important to make sure that your fire is contained so that it doesn’t spread to other areas of the lake.

If you’re interested in having a fire while ice fishing, here are a few tips to help you do it safely.

We also have a helpful article for the best safety, gear, and tactics for ice fishing.

Make sure that the ice is thick enough

A fire will melt the ice, so you need to make sure that the ice is thick enough to support your weight. The minimum thickness for safe ice fishing should be at least four inches.

Stay away from the edge of the lake

If you’re sitting close to the edge of the lake, a fire can easily cause you to fall in. Make sure that you stay away from the edge and keep your fire in a safe area.

Use a metal container

If you’re going to have a fire, make sure that you do it in a metal container. This will help contain the fire and prevent it from spreading.

Never leave a fire unattended

This is probably the most important rule of all. Make sure that you never leave a fire unattended, especially if there are children around.

Use common sense

Above all, use common sense when it comes to having a fire while ice fishing. If it doesn’t seem safe, don’t do it.

What should I do with the ash from my ice fishing fire?

You should not put the ash into the lake but instead, put it in a metal container and dispose of it properly. This is because the ash can contain harmful chemicals that can contaminate the water.

If you need some recommendations for the best ice fishing shelters, you can check this article that we have.

In Conclusion

So, can you have a fire while ice fishing? The answer is yes, but you should check with your local laws and regulations first. Make sure that the ice is thick enough, stay away from the edge of the lake, use a metal container, and never leave a fire unattended. And remember to use common sense!