STORE LOCATION 915 Hwy 2 East Devils Lake !
Department to monitor the number of registered spearers , and follow up with surveys .
The 2011 spearfishing season opened on most state waters Dec . 1 , with the exception of Spiritwood Lake which opened Jan . 1 . The season runs through March 15 , so there ’ s still a lot of time to give this type of fishing a try . Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species .
Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license and for residents under the age of 16 . Nonresidents may darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota if they are from states that offer the same privilege for North Dakota residents . Minnesota , South Dakota and Montana allow spearing by nonresidents , essentially allowing reciprocal opportunities .
In the inaugural 2001-02 season 1,255 individuals registered to spear . Seventy-four percent indicated that they actually ventured onto the ice and tried their luck . The average weight of pike harvested was 6-7 pounds . Since then , the number of registered spearers has varied from around 1,200 up to 1,700 . Annual harvest varies widely as well , depending on lake accessibility and water clarity .
Even in years with the highest overall spearing efforts , Game and Fish surveys indicate spearing harvest is just a small percentage of the overall pike harvest by open water and ice anglers .
Like eggs Benedict , spearing certainly isn ’ t for everyone . But if you ’ ve never tried it , don ’ t let another 10 years pass . •
Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Department . He can be reached by email : dleier @ nd . gov .
STORE LOCATION 915 Hwy 2 East Devils Lake !
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