11-26-2007, 07:10 PM
Darkhouse spearfishing participants are advised to stay off state waters in early December as ice conditions will be marginal at best.
Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said ice is just beginning to form. "It might look solid enough around the edges, but it is going to be awhile before ice conditions are strong enough to support weight," Boldt said.<br />
North Dakota's darkhouse spearfishing season opens on a number of lakes Dec. 1 - with the exception of Jan. 1 for Spiritwood Lake - and continues through Feb. 29.<br />
All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must register with the Game and Fish Department. Registration is available at the department's website, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish Department office.<br />
Darkhouse spearfishing 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 darkhouse spearfish can participate in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse spearfishing.<br />
Other regulations include:<br />
"¢ Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species.<br />
"¢ 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 darkhouse 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 />
"¢ Lakes open to darkhouse spearing are South Eckelson, Barnes County; Devils Lake, Benson/Ramsey counties; Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Sibley Lake, Griggs 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 and Stump Lake, Nelson County; Cavanaugh Lake, Lake Irvine, Morrison Lake and Sweetwater Lake, Ramsey County; Grass Lake, Richland County; Carpenter Lake, Island Lake and School Section Lake, Rolette County; Buffalo Lake, Sargent County; Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County; Mallard Marsh, Spiritwood Lake and Sunday Lake, Stutsman County; Cottonwood Lake and Tioga Reservoir, Williams County; Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to U.S. Highway 85 bridge at Williston and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing; and Lake Oahe from the South Dakota border to MacLean Bottoms boat ramp and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing.
Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said ice is just beginning to form. "It might look solid enough around the edges, but it is going to be awhile before ice conditions are strong enough to support weight," Boldt said.<br />
North Dakota's darkhouse spearfishing season opens on a number of lakes Dec. 1 - with the exception of Jan. 1 for Spiritwood Lake - and continues through Feb. 29.<br />
All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must register with the Game and Fish Department. Registration is available at the department's website, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish Department office.<br />
Darkhouse spearfishing 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 darkhouse spearfish can participate in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse spearfishing.<br />
Other regulations include:<br />
"¢ Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species.<br />
"¢ 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 darkhouse 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 />
"¢ Lakes open to darkhouse spearing are South Eckelson, Barnes County; Devils Lake, Benson/Ramsey counties; Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Sibley Lake, Griggs 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 and Stump Lake, Nelson County; Cavanaugh Lake, Lake Irvine, Morrison Lake and Sweetwater Lake, Ramsey County; Grass Lake, Richland County; Carpenter Lake, Island Lake and School Section Lake, Rolette County; Buffalo Lake, Sargent County; Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County; Mallard Marsh, Spiritwood Lake and Sunday Lake, Stutsman County; Cottonwood Lake and Tioga Reservoir, Williams County; Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to U.S. Highway 85 bridge at Williston and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing; and Lake Oahe from the South Dakota border to MacLean Bottoms boat ramp and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing.