GreatLakesBass.com has compiled regulations by state and province around the Great Lakes region for fishing with castable umbrella rigs like The Alabama Rig. This information is confirmed by official government sources for each state or province as of 7/17/2013 (please see disclaimer at the end of this article). In alphabetical order:
GreatLakesBass.com has compiled regulations by state and province around the Great Lakes region for fishing with castable umbrella rigs like The Alabama Rig. This information is confirmed by official government sources for each state or province as of 7/17/2013. In alphabetical order:
Indiana – Legal up to 3 hooks
Effective May 24, 2013, under a new Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) rule, an umbrella rig, like the Alabama Rig for example, can now have up to three hooks and unlimited hookless attractors. When artificial lures are used on an umbrella rig or similar device, they are considered one hook, even if the lure has multiple hooks. The previous temporary rule that made the original Alabama Rig (5 hooks) legal for 2012 expired on Jan. 1, 2013. Anglers can now affix up to three hooks, three artificial lures, or a combination of hooks or lures not to exceed three per pole as of May 24, 2013.
More details: Indiana DNR Allows Three Hooks on Umbrella Rigs
Illinois – Legal with 5 hooks on many waters
Legal in those waters in the state that do NOT have the “2 poles only with no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole regulation,” legal on most rivers and streams, including the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri, but NOT between Illinois and Iowa. Legal on the Ohio River, including Smithland pool. Legal on all private waters in the state.
More details: Illinois DNR clarifies Alabama Umbrella Rig Regulations
Iowa – Legal with 2 hooks and 3 hookless baits
UPDATE 3/13/2012: Iowa DNR Fisheries Chief Joe Larscheid released a statement today stating anglers could use 5 baits on the Alabama / umbrella rigs as long as only 2 of the baits have a hook.
Modified Two-Hook Alabama Rig Meets Iowa Fishing Laws
Iowa Department of Natural Resources site
Michigan – Legal up to 6 hooks
Per verbal confirmation from Lansing Department of Natural Resources headquarters – Fisheries Chief office and Law Enforcement division.
More details: Michigan DNR says up to 6 hooks legal for umbrella rigs
Minnesota – Legal with 1 lure with hooks and 4 hookless spinners or plastic baits*
UPDATE 3/13/2012: Minnesota only allows 1 hook. Minnesota DNR released a statement clarifying that you can use an Alabama umbrella rig with 5 attractors (spinners, minnow bodies, etc) as long as only 1 wire arm has a hook on it. *There are exceptions on border waters that allow 2 wire arms with hooks since you are allowed up to 2 lines and 2 hooks. If you do use 2 hooks on an umbrella rig, you can only use 1 line. For details, read: Alabama umbrella Fishing Rigs: Legal in Minnesota?
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fishing Regulations
New York – Legal up to 5 lures*
One person may operate up to three lines in freshwater; and each line is limited to not more than five lures or baits or a combination of both; and in addition, each line shall not exceed fifteen hook points in any combination of single, double or treble hooks. *Lake Champlain has special regs since Vermont only allows two lures. Vermont has released a position paper on The Alabama Rig that clarifies you can use 2 lures with hooks and use hookless attractors on the other 3 wires including spinner blades and minnow bodies. It appears New York is following this for Lake Champlain. See disclaimer below.
New York Angling Definitions
Ohio – Legal with 3 lures and 2 hookless baits
The Ohio DNR published a very clear statement on Umbrella Rig Use in the State of Ohio that clarifies you can legally use a 3-wire rig with 3 lures or a 5-wire rig with 3 lures with hooks and 2 teasers on the other wires such as spinner blades or minnow bodies without hooks.
Umbrella Rig Use in the State of Ohio
Ontario – Legal up to 4 hooks and 1 hookless bait
An angler may use only one line, unless otherwise stated in the regulations. Two lines may be used when angling from a boat in parts of the Great Lakes and for ice fishing in many areas (refer to the Exceptions to the General Regulations for the Zone in which you will be fishing). A fishing line must not have more than four hooks attached. From Ontario MNR 3/15/2012: Therefore, an Alabama Rig would be legal as long as it doesn’t have more than four hooks attached. Anglers can place either a spinner blade and/or a minnow body with no hook on the 5th wire or leave it empty.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Angling Terms and Definitions
Pennsylvania – Legal up to 3 lures
You’re limited to 3 hooks per line total so each lure can only have 1 hook – single, double or treble, to use 3 lures. Pennsylvania specifically limits the number of hooks only so it appears teasers on the other two wires would be legal as long as they don’t have hooks.
2012 Pennsylvania Fishing Laws and Regulations – Tackle and Equipment
Wisconsin – Legal up to 3 hooks, lures or baits
The Wisconsin DNR published a very clear statement on Alabama Fishing Rigs in Wisconsin. Wisconsin rules restrict anglers to no more than three hooks, three baits or three lures. An angler then could place hookless spinners to the other two wires if desired.
More details: Alabama Fishing Rigs: Legal in Wisconsin? It depends
DISCLAIMER: This article is not a legal document or guaranty. It is only meant as a starting point for anglers wanting to fish The Alabama Rig and other castable umbrella rigs throughout the Great Lakes region. Specially-regulated, border and local waters may have different local exceptions to the above information. You should always check the latest fishing guides and regulations for the state(s) / provinces whose waters you plan to fish. Due to the large interest in Alabama rig fishing, regulations are evolving and can change without notice at any time. GreatLakesBass.com cannot guaranty we will keep this information up-to-date.