Cass Lake opened to darkhouse spearing beginning in 2011

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Cass Lake opened to darkhouse spearing beginning in 2011
(Released October 10, 2011)

Cass Lake will be open to darkhouse spearing this winter as a result of legislation passed during the 2011 Legislative session directing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to reopen the lake to spearing.

DNR recently completed the rule authorizing the change.

The darkhouse spearing season officially opens Tuesday, Nov. 15, but the activity is determined by the formation of safe ice conditions, which usually occurs in early December. Anglers are encouraged to check local conditions and take safety precautions when venturing on ice.

Spearers and anglers are reminded that the possession limit for northern pike, the most common target of darkhouse spearing, is three with only one allowed longer than 30 inches. Residents ages 16 to 64 and all nonresidents must have a darkhouse spearing license and an angling license.

DNR fisheries will conduct a creel survey on Cass Lake this winter to estimate angling and spearing pressure and collect harvest information.