Darkhouse Spearfishing

North Dakota’s darkhouse spearfishing season opens on most state waters whenever ice-up occurs. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species. NOTE: For Stump Lake and the Devils Lake complex south of U.S. Highway 2 and the Missouri River System (including lakes Sakakawea and Oahe and the Missouri River) up to the first tributary bridge, walleye are also legal.

Individuals required to possess a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) to darkhouse spearfish must first register online.

Spearers and anglers are reminded that materials used to mark holes must be in possession as soon as a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is made in the ice.

All waters open to hook and line fishing are open to darkhouse spearing except:

East Park Lake, West Park Lake, Lake Audubon – McLean County
Heckers Lake – Sheridan County
Lake Ashtabula – Barnes and Griggs counties
Larimore Dam – Grand Forks County
McClusky Canal
New Johns Lake – Burleigh County
Red Willow Lake – Griggs County
Whitman Dam – Nelson County
Wood Lake – Benson County

Specific darkhouse spearing regulations may be found in the Fishing Regulations Guide.