What is the maximum number of lines one angler may legally fish through the ice at one time on a standard Maine lake?

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Five lines in the water at once is the limit for an individual ice-fisher on standard Maine lakes. This rule covers how many lines you may actively fish with at the same time, counted per person, regardless of how many holes you’ve drilled. The purpose is to balance opportunity with resource protection and to keep ice safety and pace of fishing reasonable by preventing gear clutter and overuse of a popular area. If you’re fishing with others, each person has their own five-line allowance, so their lines don’t count against your limit. Always check for local exceptions or seasonal rules for a specific lake, but on standard lakes, five lines is the maximum.