11-20-2006, 07:10 PM
Individuals who will participate in the upcoming darkhouse spearfishing season can now register online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish Department office.
North Dakota's darkhouse spearfishing season opens on a number of state waters Dec. 1 - with the exception of Spiritwood Lake which opens Jan. 1 - and continues through Feb. 28. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species, such as carp.
Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license, and those under the age of 16. Nonresidents from states that allow North Dakotans to participate in darkhouse spearfishing can darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse spearfishing.
Other regulations include:
All participants must register.
A spear is counted as a pole (line) while darkhouse spearfishing.<br />
Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns are not allowed.<br />
When a dark house is moved or a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object (such as a tree branch or tumbleweed) visible from a minimum of 150 feet.<br />
No size limit on ice hole in lakes where darkhouse spearing is allowed. However, hook and line fishing is legal only in holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter.<br />
Legal live baitfish, with the exception of white sucker, and artificial lures can be used as decoys.<br />
Daily/possession limits are the same as for hook and line fishing.<br />
Six lakes have been added to the list of lakes open to darkhouse spearing: South Eckelson, Barnes County; Sibley Lake, Griggs County; Stump Lake, Nelson County; Lake Irvine, Ramsey County; Island Lake, Rolette County; and Sunday Lake, Stutsman County. Other lakes where darkhouse spearfishing is allowed are Devils Lake, Benson/Ramsey counties; Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Lake Etta/Alkaline Lake complex, Horsehead Lake, and Round Lake, Kidder County; Flood Lake and Diamond Lake, LaMoure County; Beaver Lake and West Napoleon Lake, Logan County; Buffalo Lodge Lake, McHenry County; Coldwater Lake and Dry/Goose Lake, McIntosh County; Stanley Reservoir, Mountrail County; Lake Laretta, Nelson County; Cavanaugh Lake, Morrison Lake, and Sweetwater Lake, Ramsey County; Grass Lake, Richland County; Carpenter Lake and School Section Lake, Rolette County; Buffalo Lake, Sargent County; Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County; Mallard Marsh and Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman County; Cottonwood Lake and Tioga Reservoir, Williams County; Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to Highway 85 bridge at Williston; and Lake Oahe from the South Dakota border to McLean Bottoms boat ramp.
North Dakota's darkhouse spearfishing season opens on a number of state waters Dec. 1 - with the exception of Spiritwood Lake which opens Jan. 1 - and continues through Feb. 28. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species, such as carp.
Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license, and those under the age of 16. Nonresidents from states that allow North Dakotans to participate in darkhouse spearfishing can darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse spearfishing.
Other regulations include:
All participants must register.
A spear is counted as a pole (line) while darkhouse spearfishing.<br />
Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns are not allowed.<br />
When a dark house is moved or a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object (such as a tree branch or tumbleweed) visible from a minimum of 150 feet.<br />
No size limit on ice hole in lakes where darkhouse spearing is allowed. However, hook and line fishing is legal only in holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter.<br />
Legal live baitfish, with the exception of white sucker, and artificial lures can be used as decoys.<br />
Daily/possession limits are the same as for hook and line fishing.<br />
Six lakes have been added to the list of lakes open to darkhouse spearing: South Eckelson, Barnes County; Sibley Lake, Griggs County; Stump Lake, Nelson County; Lake Irvine, Ramsey County; Island Lake, Rolette County; and Sunday Lake, Stutsman County. Other lakes where darkhouse spearfishing is allowed are Devils Lake, Benson/Ramsey counties; Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Lake Etta/Alkaline Lake complex, Horsehead Lake, and Round Lake, Kidder County; Flood Lake and Diamond Lake, LaMoure County; Beaver Lake and West Napoleon Lake, Logan County; Buffalo Lodge Lake, McHenry County; Coldwater Lake and Dry/Goose Lake, McIntosh County; Stanley Reservoir, Mountrail County; Lake Laretta, Nelson County; Cavanaugh Lake, Morrison Lake, and Sweetwater Lake, Ramsey County; Grass Lake, Richland County; Carpenter Lake and School Section Lake, Rolette County; Buffalo Lake, Sargent County; Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County; Mallard Marsh and Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman County; Cottonwood Lake and Tioga Reservoir, Williams County; Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to Highway 85 bridge at Williston; and Lake Oahe from the South Dakota border to McLean Bottoms boat ramp.