Darkhouse
Spearfishing Opens Dec. 1 113005
Though darkhouse spearfishing season is officially slated to
open Dec. 1, ice anglers should exercise caution and wait awhile
before venturing out on state waters.
Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator
for the state Game and Fish Department, says don't be fooled by
recent cold temperatures, as ice is just beginning to form and
is nowhere near strong enough to venture out on. "People are
going to have to exercise patience," Boldt said. "It might look
solid enough around the edge of lakes, but it will be marginal
at best in early December."
Individuals who participate in darkhouse
spearfishing must register with the Game and Fish Department.
Registration is available at the department's website,
discovernd.com/gnf, or through any game and fish office.
Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all
residents with a valid fishing license, and those under age 16.
Nonresidents from states that allow North Dakotans to
participate in darkhouse spearfishing can darkhouse spearfish in
North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring
states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse
spearfishing.
The season is open through Feb. 28, and only
for northern pike and nongame species.
Other regulations include:
* A spear is counted as a pole (line) while
darkhouse spearfishing.
* Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns
are not allowed.
* When a dark house 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.
* There is no size limit on ice holes in lakes
where darkhouse spearing is allowed. However, hook and line
fishing is legal only in holes no larger than 12 inches in
diameter.
* Legal live baitfish, with the exception of
white sucker, and artificial lures can be used as decoys.
* Daily and possession limits are the same as
for hook and line fishing.
* Darkhouse spearing is allowed only in the
following areas: Beaver Lake (Logan County), Buffalo Lake
(Sargent County), Buffalo Lodge Lake (McHenry County), Carpenter
Lake (Rolette County), Cavanaugh Lake (Ramsey County), Coal Mine
Lake (Sheridan County), Coldwater Lake (McIntosh County),
Cottonwood Lake (Williams County), Devils Lake (Benson and
Ramsey counties), Diamond Lake (LaMoure County), Dry/Goose Lake
(McIntosh County), Etta/Alkaline Complex (Kidder County), Flood
Lake (LaMoure County), Grass Lake (Richland County), Horsehead
Lake (Kidder County), Juanita Lake (Foster County), Lake Laretta
(Nelson County), Lake Oahe (from South Dakota border to Maclean
Bottoms boat ramp), Lake Sakakawea (from Garrison Dam to Highway
85 bridge at Williston), Mallard Marsh (Stutsman County),
Morrison Lake (Ramsey County), Powers Lake (Burke County), Rice
Lake (Emmons County), Round Lake (Kidder County), School Section
Lake (Rolette County), Silver Lake (Benson County), Spiritwood
Lake (Stutsman County), Stanley Reservoir (Mountrail County),
Sweetwater Lake (Ramsey County), Tioga Reservoir (Williams
County), and West Napoleon Complex (Logan County).
Fall Turkey
Licenses Remain 113005
Two fall turkey hunting units still have licenses available for
hunters who do not have a license, or for those who want
additional licenses.
Licenses remain in Unit 17, portions of
Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94, and
Unit 21, Hettinger and Adams counties.
Resident and nonresident hunters can apply
online, or print out an application for mailing, at the Game and
Fish Department website, discovernd.com/gnf. Applications are
also available from the department's Bismarck office and county
auditors. There is no limit to the number of licenses a person
can receive.
The fall turkey season continues through Jan.
15, 2006.
2006 North
Dakota OUTDOORS Calendar Available 113005
The 2006 North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar is printed and available
for $3 at the state Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office,
select newsstands across the state, Scheels AllSports in
Bismarck, Fargo, Minot and Grand Forks, and Sportsman's
Warehouse in Fargo.
Along with outstanding color photographs of
North Dakota wildlife and scenery, the calendar includes season
opening and application dates, sunrise-sunset times and moon
phases.
To order by mail, send $3 plus $1 postage for
each calendar, to: Calendar, North Dakota Game and Fish
Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.
District 5
advisory meeting rescheduled to Dec. 6 112805
Weather conditions in southeastern North Dakota caused the
District 5 North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory
board meetingto be rescheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6. The
meeting was originally scheduled for Nov. 29.
District 5
- Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and
Traill
Date: December 6 - 7 p.m.
Location: American Legion Building, Hankinson
Host: Richland County Wildlife Club
Contact: Gary Gabbert, 242-7263
Advisory board member: Loran Palmer, West Fargo, 282-8479
Additional
Concurrent Season, 2nd & 3rd Season Deer Tags Valid for Bow
and Muzzleloader Hunting (112805)
Hunters possessing unfilled additional concurrent season
deer tags or tags for the second or third season may use
them during the muzzleloader or archery seasons provided
they use the appropriate weapon and adhere to the following
restrictions:
- A hunter may hunt with a muzzleloader
during the muzzleloader season (open through Dec. 11) or may
hunt with bow and arrow during the archery season (open
through Jan. 8, 2006).
- The license holder may hunt only in the
unit described on the license.
- The license holder may take only the deer
listed on the license:
- Holders of any antlerless deer
permits may take either a mule deer doe or a
white-tailed doe.
- Holders of antlerless white-tailed
deer permits may take only a white-tailed doe.
- Holders of antlerless mule deer
permits may take only a mule deer doe.
