A fish retaining device consisting of an elongate support having a first end and a second end. A transverse brace member is secured to the first end of the elongate support for suspending the elongate support in an opening made through ice for ice fishing such that the second end of the elongate support extends toward a bottom of the ice opening. A frame is secured to the second end of the elongate support. The frame has a central passage and extends substantially perpendicular to the elongate support. The frame substantially fills the ice opening such that there is no room for a fish to pass between the frame and the ice opening. A one-way gate is pivotally mounted to the frame. The gate pivots toward the first end of the elongate support such that clearance is provided for the passage of a fish through the central passage of the frame into the ice opening. The gate rests upon the frame which serves as a stop preventing the gate from pivoting toward the second end of the elongate support thereby closing the central passage and retaining the fish within the ice opening.
