Can You Fish With Two Rods? Each State Answered
Fishing with multiple rods is a great way to quickly switch between lures without having to tie them on each time. You also can use multiple rods to have multiple baits in the water at a time which gives you more opportunities to catch fish faster.
In the United States, it is legal to use two fishing rods at a time in all states except Tennessee, Minnesota, and Georgie. Some bodies of water may have restrictions of their own.
Is Fishing With 2 Rods Legal By State
| State | Can You Fish With Two Rods |
|---|---|
| Alabama | There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use in Alabama. Neely Henry and Weiss lakes do have a limit of 3 rods. |
| Alaska | In Alaska, you are limited to 3 rods when ice fishing and 1 rod when fishing with a reel. |
| Arizona | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Arizona. |
| Arkansas | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Arkansas. |
| California | In California, you can use 2 rods if you purchase a second-rod validation. |
| Colorado | In Colorado, you can use 2 rods if you purchase an additional rod stamp. |
| Connecticut | In Connecticut, you can use up to 3 fishing rods. |
| Delaware | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Delaware. |
| Florida | There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use in Florida. |
| Georgia | In Georgia, it is only legal to use 1 fishing rod. |
| Hawaii | In Hawaii, you can use 2 rods but some bays have restrictions. Check for restrictions in the area you will be fishing. |
| Idaho | In Idaho, you can use 2 rods if you purchase a two-pole permit. |
| Illinois | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Illinois. |
| Indiana | There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use in Indiana. |
| Iowa | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Iowa. |
| Kansas | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Kansas. |
| Kentucky | There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use in Kentucky. |
| Louisiana | There is no limit on the number of fishing rods you use in Louisiana. |
| Maine | In Maine, you can fish with 2 rods when the water isn’t frozen. You can use up to 5 rods when ice fishing. |
| Maryland | In Maryland, you can fish with up to 3 rods. |
| Massachusetts | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Massachusetts. |
| Michigan | In Michigan, you can use 2 rods but some bodies of water have restrictions. Check for restrictions in the body of water you will be fishing. |
| Minnesota | In Minnesota, you are limited to only 1 fishing rod when the water wasn’t frozen. |
| Mississippi | In Mississippi, you can fish with up to 5 rods. |
| Missouri | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Missouri. |
| Montana | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Montana. |
| Nebraska | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Nebraska. |
| Nevada | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Nevada. |
| New Hampshire | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in New Hampshire. |
| New Jersey | In New Jersey, you can fish with up to 3 rods. |
| New Mexico | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in New Mexico. |
| New York | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in New York. |
| North Carolina | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in North Carolina. |
| North Dakota | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in North Dakota. |
| Ohio | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Ohio. |
| Oklahoma | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Oklahoma. |
| Oregon | In Oregon, you can use 2 rods if you purchase a two-rod validation. |
| Pennsylvania | It is legal to fish with up to 3 rods in Pennsylvania. |
| Rhode Island | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Rhode Island. |
| South Carolina | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in South Carolina. |
| South Dakota | In South Dakota, You can only use 2 rods on unfrozen water. You can fish with up to 4 rods when ice fishing. |
| Tennessee | In Tennessee, you can only use 1 rod at a time. It is illegal to fish with more than 1 rod. |
| Texas | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Texas. |
| Utah | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Utah. |
| Vermont | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Vermont. |
| Virginia | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Virginia. |
| Washington | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Washington. Some bodies of water may have restrictions. |
| West Virginia | West Virginia allows you to fish with up to 2 fishing rods. |
| Wisconsin | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Wisconsin. |
| Wyoming | It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Wyoming. |
Last Updated: 10/10/2022
Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, ballot initiatives, rulings in courts, and other means. While we strive to provide the most up to date information available, please consult a lawyer or verify the state law(s) you are researching.