North Dakota’s darkhouse spearfishing season opens on most state waters whenever ice-up occurs. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species.

Individuals who are required to possess a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) to darkhouse spearfish must first register online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

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:

Lake Audubon, East Park Lake, West Park Lake – 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

Anglers and spearers should refer to the North Dakota 2020-22 Fishing Guide for more information.