Submitted Photo The number of registered spearers in North Dakota is so much smaller compared to the crowds who flock to summer fishing. Photo by Ashley Peterson, NDGF.

What makes darkhouse spearfishing stand out from other types of fishing — especially in the winter?

Is it more challenging? Absolutely. Does it bring a unique kind of success and satisfaction? No doubt about it.

Fishing in winter already comes with its own set of challenges. Unlike summer, where your biggest travel issue might be some road construction, winter adds icy roads, snowdrifts, and near-zero visibility into the mix. Plus, you’ve got to prepare both yourself and your gear to handle freezing temperatures. Staying warm and keeping your equipment in working order is half the battle.

Then there’s the spearfishing itself. Cutting ice holes, sitting in silence, watching and waiting patiently for a pike to appear. It takes focus, calm, and a whole lot of stillness. It’s not for everyone, and that might be part of the appeal. Darkhouse spearfishing is definitely a niche, which probably explains why the number of registered spearers in North Dakota is so much smaller compared to the crowds who flock to summer fishing.

Here’s a look at this year’s spearing:

2025-2026 darkhouse spearing regulations

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

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.

All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must first register for free and are also required to possess the needed valid fishing license.

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.

A look at spearing significant changes and adjustments over the years:

– 2001-02 – first season.

– 2008-09 – first winter that the first two weeks of March were open.

– 2009-10 – first winter Minnesotans could spear in North Dakota.

– 2012-13 – first winter where most of the state was open.

– 2022-23 – first winter when individuals on the big waters could spear walleye.

– 2024-25 – first winter when individuals could also use archery equipment to take pike, etc.

2024-2025 highlights from Greg Power, North Dakota fisheries division chief:

– Median (9.0) and mean (10.3) weights of the largest pike reported harvested by the respondents.

– Also, 8.3% of all spearers reported they had harvested a very large (20 lbs. or larger) pike.

– For this past winter (2024-25), the following number of spearers reported harvesting the following number of walleye: Lake Sakakawea, 18 spearers and 50

walleye; Devils Lake 9 spearers and 25 walleye; Missouri River, one spearer and 6 walleye.

Again, similar to the past two winters, no more than 600 walleye were harvested by spearers during this past season.