Minnesota Lakes You Can Spear On

[Jameson]

DNR news releases from the dnr website:

http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2013/12/02/s...kes/#more-13719

Spearing restrictions lifted on Deer, Moose, North Star and Spider lakes

(Released December 2, 2013)

A bill passed during the 2013 legislative session has repealed the spearing restrictions on 12 Minnesota lakes including Deer, Moose, North Star and Spider lakes in Itasca County. The lakes are open to darkhouse spearing effective Dec. 2.

“It was a common practice in the 1960s and early 70s to prohibit spearing on waters managed for muskies,” said Chris Kavanaugh, Department of Natural Resources area fisheries supervisor. “At one time there were a number of lakes in Itasca County that had spearing bans, now there are none.”

Spearing of muskellunge is still illegal in Minnesota waters. Those participating in spearing activities are responsible for properly identifying fish before spearing them.

Recent DNR gill net data show 0.3 northern pike per net in Deer, 1.8 per net in North Star, 2.9 per net in Moose, and 9.1 per net in Spider. When compared to the northern pike abundance in other similar waters, Deer, North Star and Moose are relatively low, while Spider Lake is considered high.

There are special regulations still in effect for northern pike on North Star and Spider lakes. These lakes have a 24- to 36-inch protected slot for northern pike. These protected slots prohibit the harvest of any fish within the slot, regardless of the method used to take fish.

All other regulations related to spearing, angling and shelters will apply on these waters.

For more information, contact DNR area fisheries office at 218-327-4430, by email, [email protected], or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/grandrapids/index.html.

AND http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2013/12/05/12-lakes-opened-to-spearing/#more-13732

12 lakes opened to spearing

(Released December 5, 2013)

Twelve lakes scattered throughout Minnesota, including two in the metropolitan area, now are open for darkhouse spearing, the Department of Natural Resources said.

Spearing restrictions were repealed effective Dec. 2 on the following lakes: Beers and West Battle in Otter Tail County; Big Mantrap in Hubbard County; Deer, Moose, North Star and connected Little North Star and Spider in Itasca County; Lobster in Douglas County; Cross Lake Flowage in Pine County; Eagle in Hennepin County; Owasso in Ramsey County and Sugar in Wright County.

Darkhouse spearing is limited to northern pike, catfish, whitefish and other rough-fish species. Other game fish species such as muskellunge are illegal to spear at any time. Anglers ages 18-89 need both an angling license and a spearing license to spear, unless otherwise exempt.

All other regulations related to spearing, angling and shelters apply to these waters. Additional information is available on page 77 of the 2013 Minnesota Fishing Regulations handbook or look online. For more information, contact the DNR area fisheries office nearest the lake of interest using the online directory.

[Yooperguy]

http://www.mndarkhouse.org/grandrapids/LOCAL%20NEWS.htm

very well done guy's. Any thought of putting up pictures of muskies and pike from above in either the fishing regs or the boat landings? I'm sure the muskie guy's would help with the cost.

[Jameson]

...Any thought of putting up pictures of muskies and pike from above in either the fishing regs or the boat landings? ...

I know in the past folks have requested that of the MN DNR. It might even of been Merkman. The DNR didn't seem interested. It would probably take the Muskie organizations to demand for it to happen for it to happen. Would the Muskie organizations and the DNR rather not have muskies speared, or not have people spearing at all?

edit: here is a quote from Yooper's link for the folks that don't want to click the link:

Spear cautiously on the newly opened pike waters.

The 2013-14 Ice fishing season is upon us! The biggest changes for this season are great news for most spear fishermen & women. First, there are four newly opened lakes in Itasca County that are available to spear. Deer, Moose, North Star, and Spider Lakes will now be open for darkhouse spearing. They are still designated musky lakes and managed as such. I have been an Itasca County resident all of my life and this is a welcome change from the discrimination of the past. All darkhouse spearing enthusiasts MUST take this new privilege seriously and be absolutely sure of the quarry. In these lakes muskies are protected at this time. The MDAA does not want to answer for the irresponsible mistakes of a few spearers getting caught having accidentally speared muskies. As of this time, the DNR has never documented the taking of an illegally speared musky and we wish to keep it that way! Know your quarry and how to identify a northern pike versus a musky in these waters-every time. If you cannot be sure it is a northern, DO NOT throw the spear!

[MJ1657]

People for some reason make identification of species seem like a complicated deal. Its really not.

Should we hang a sign on every deer woods with a picture of a buck and doe so people know the difference? That's about as ridiculous.

[Jameson]

...Should we hang a sign on every deer woods with a picture of a buck and doe so people know the difference? That's about as ridiculous.

Terrible example. We don't have doe tags for a reason. We have antlerless tags, because people cannot tell the difference between a buck and a doe.

Duck hunting would be a better example, and there seems to be a "what did I shoot" thread every year. It can get tricky sometime. The same concept as duck hunting, though. If you aren't sure, don't kill it.

Since I can't id ducks worth a darn, I stay on slews that generally only have woodies, mallards, and teal. Same concept with spearing. If you aren't confident in yourself, please stay on waters without muskies in them.

[Gordie]

Putting signs up at the access is most likely NOT going to happen, the cost would be astronomical and when the state has already said the signs that they have in place for deer crossings do no good and are going to tear them all down. I don't think it would go over real well, besides the lakes that have muskies in them have signs posted at the public accesses to let people now that they are in the lake. I think that should more than enough info that a fisherman/spearfishermen need.

I will post this again:

"IF YOU DONT KNOW DONT THROW" its the most responsible thing that we as spearfishermen can do.

[MJ1657]

Terrible example. We don't have doe tags for a reason. We have

Duck hunting would be a better example, and there seems to be a "what did I shoot" thread every year. It can get tricky sometime. The same concept as duck hunting, though. If you aren't sure, don't kill it.

Since I can't id ducks worth a darn, I stay on slews that generally only have woodies, mallards, and teal. Same concept with spearing. If you aren't confident in yourself, please stay on waters without muskies in them.

I see the error in my post. I said doe tag instead of antlerless tag. I'm guessing everyone understood what I was talking about before the correct police stepped in.

There is no reason to throw your spear unless you know what's under it. Its unreal that this is even discussed.

[Yooperguy]

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...ski#Post3167796

just some thing I thought could help as far as helping new people that decide to spear or out of staters. I agree with Gordie, landing signs might be impractical but I think a joint effort on getting something in the regs would be nice. Even though some never seem to read them. MJ I'm not trying to cause trouble or I would of noticed that the link said "muskies are protected at this time ".

[Jameson]

Sorry MJ I was not trying to correct you on the doe/antlerless tag thing. I use the two terms for each other all the time when talking with other hunters.

But I was pointing out that deer are a bad example. How bad? We don't have buck and doe tags, we have antlered and antlerless tags. A buck with only a 2" antler is considered a doe . Kind of compares to slot limits and trying to determine if it's 23" or 24". Deer hunting if you aren't sure if it's a 2" or 3" antler you better have a buck and a doe tag if you take the shot. We don't get the same option fishing.

[MJ1657]

Sorry MJ I was not trying to correct you on the doe/antlerless tag thing. I use the two terms for each other all the time when talking with other hunters.

But I was pointing out that deer are a bad example. How bad? We don't have buck and doe tags, we have antlered and antlerless tags. A buck with only a 2" antler is considered a doe . Kind of compares to slot limits and trying to determine if it's 23" or 24". Deer hunting if you aren't sure if it's a 2" or 3" antler you better have a buck and a doe tag if you take the shot. We don't get the same option fishing.

Good point Jameson.

I get wound up when people make a bid deal out of identifying the different species. Keep your spear out of the water if you don't know.

I'm going to jump out of this discussion. I've made my point and no sense on feeding any of the trolls that like to get in on these discussions.

[Jameson]

And good points by you MJ.

[GoneFish'n71]

I would also like to see big stone boarder water opened up! Spearing is legal in both SD and MN, so why not the boarder between the two?

[Yooperguy]

From my understanding its in the works this year.