Most anglers use as many rods as possible to help them catch more fish.
However, newbies tend to forget that each state has its own laws and legislation when it comes to fishing with multiple rods.
Not having the right permits can get one into trouble with the wildlife department and other local authorities.
So, you might wonder, what are the laws for fishing with more than one rod in your state?
Or how many fishing rods per license are allowed in your locality?
Worry not because we have summarized all the information you need regarding laws concerning the use of two rods for each state.
Here's What's In Store For You...
- Fishing Regulations for Community Fishing Lakes
- Alabama:
- Alaska:
- Arizona:
- Arkansas:
- California:
- Colorado:
- Connecticut:
- Delaware:
- Florida:
- Georgia:
- Hawaii:
- Idaho:
- Illinois:
- Indiana:
- Iowa:
- Kansas:
- Kentucky:
- Louisiana:
- Maine:
- Maryland:
- Massachusetts:
- Michigan:
- Minnesota:
- Mississippi:
- Missouri:
- Montana:
- Nebraska:
- Nevada:
- New Hampshire:
- New Jersey:
- New Mexico:
- New York:
- North Carolina:
- North Dakota:
- Ohio:
- Oklahoma:
- Oregon:
- Pennsylvania:
- Rhode Island:
- South Carolina:
- South Dakota:
- Tennessee:
- Texas:
- Utah:
- Vermont:
- Virginia:
- Washington:
- West Virginia:
- Wisconsin:
- Wyoming:
- Is It Then Legal To Fish With Two Rods?
- How Many Fishing Rods Per License Are Allowed?
- Check The Regulations For Lines And Hooks
Fishing Regulations for Community Fishing Lakes
In most of the United States, it is legal to fish with two rods.
However, each state has its own rules and regulations regarding fishing licenses, permits, and stamps.
It is possible that a state allows the use of two fishing rods only while fishing in a certain lake, river, or body of freshwater and nowhere else.
Therefore, it is very important to check government laws before you head out for your next fishing trip.
Down below is a list of all the States, providing the answer to the question – whether you can fish with two rods or not?
Alabama:
No limit on the number of fishing rods used by anglers.
Alaska:
Limit of 3 rods when ice fishing and 1 rod when fishing with a reel.
Arizona:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Arkansas:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
California:
It is legal to fish 2 rods if you purchase a second-rod validation
Colorado:
You can fish 2 rods if you purchase an additional rod stamp.
Connecticut:
It is legal to fish up to 3 fishing rods.
Delaware:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Florida:
There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use.
Georgia:
It is only legal to use 1 fishing rod.
Hawaii:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods but some bays have restrictions. Check for restrictions in the area you will be fishing.
Idaho:
You can fish 2 rods if you purchase a two-pole permit.
Illinois:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Indiana:
There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use.
Iowa:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Kansas:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Kentucky:
There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use.
Louisiana:
There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use.
Maine:
You can fish with 2 rods when the water isn’t frozen. You can use up to 5 rods when ice fishing.
Maryland:
It is legal to fish up to 3 rods.
Massachusetts:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Michigan:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods but some bodies of water have restrictions. Check for restrictions in the body of water you will be fishing.
Minnesota:
It is legal to fish only 1 rod when the water isn’t frozen.
Mississippi:
It is legal to fish up to 5 rods.
Missouri:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Montana:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Nebraska:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Nevada:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
New Hampshire:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
New Jersey:
It is legal to fish with up to 3 rods.
New Mexico:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
New York:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
North Carolina:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
North Dakota:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Ohio:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Oklahoma:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Oregon:
It is legal to use 2 rods if you purchase a two-rod validation.
Pennsylvania:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Rhode Island:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
South Carolina:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods. You are only allowed to fish 4 rods when shore fishing in South Carolina.
South Dakota:
You can use only one rod in unfrozen water. You can fish with up to 4 rods when ice fishing.
Tennessee:
It is illegal to fish with more than 1 rod.
Texas:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Utah:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Vermont:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Virginia:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Washington:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods although some bodies of water may have restrictions.
West Virginia:
It is legal to fish up to 2 rods.
Wisconsin:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Wyoming:
It is legal to fish with 2 rods.
Is It Then Legal To Fish With Two Rods?
The list above shows that most of the states in the US allow fishermen to use two fishing rods.
The only exceptions are Tennessee, Minnesota, and Georgia.
Moreover, another essential thing to keep in mind is that each state has its own fishing regulations for bodies of water, seasons, and the type of line, lures, hook and bait used.
To be 100% sure about how many fishing rods you can take on a fishing trip, you can visit the specific state’s federal website to get the exact number.
These websites also have information on which bodies of water may not allow two rods.
Other information such as what species of fish one can catch along with any limits on using a cast net, baited hooks, and bag limits will also be mentioned on the site.
How Many Fishing Rods Per License Are Allowed?
Most states do not require an angler to have a special permit or validation for multiple rods.
However, there are a few exceptions that require you to have a special permit, stamp, or validation of purchase on top of a fishing license.
These states are Colorado, Idaho, California, and Oregon.
Moreover, there are certain states such as Alaska and Minnesota, that allow you to fish two rods when ice fishing and only one while the water is not frozen.
In most cases, certain states will allow more fishing rods while ice fishing in comparison to bait fishing on open waters or saltwater fishing.
If you plan to go fishing on community fishing lakes, you should check with the local authorities or the council for information regarding the number of rods, lines, and hooks you are allowed to use.
Certain regulations tend to change over time so as a rule of thumb we will recommend you to check the state regulations every time you take to open water just to be 100% sure.
Check The Regulations For Lines And Hooks
Apart from knowing the rules concerning the number of rods, you should also read up on regulations for lines and hooks.
Most states limit the number of lines and hooks that can be used for one rod.
For example, Wisconsin allows you to use 3 rods. However, it is not legal to use 3 lines with one rod.
Using multiple lines on a single rod is similar to using multiple rods.
As such, most states only allow a single line per rod.
While using multiple lines, the angler must be following the state’s rules on how many hooks are allowed per line.
The number of hooks that can be used on a line is also limited.
Check the state’s website before to find out the maximum number of hooks you can use.
For example, Montana only allows two hooks per line (with a maximum of two lines), while Kansas allows anglers to use up to 8 lines with two hooks per line.