Dark House Spearfishing for Northern Pike
ON UPPER RED LAKE
Experience the thrill of dark house spearing on Upper Red Lake! Northern Pike is the target species for spearing and Red Lake has some monsters!
Spearfishing is harvesting fish through the ice using a decoy to lure fish into your spear hole and then throwing your spear to complete the harvest. The term “dark house” is used because all of the light from the windows is blocked out to produce a visual effect for seeing your prey in the clear water.
Dark house spearing is “old school,” but you get to watch all of the activity at the bottom of the lake from above to the moment when a huge pike grabs your decoy. It’s almost like watching fish on a 4K HD TV screen! We cannot think of a better way to spend a day on the ice.
DARK HOUSE SPEARING DETAILS
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All spearing participants will need a dark house spearing license in addition to their resident or non-resident angling license.
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Licenses can be purchased online on the DNR website or at local license retailers (gas stations, bait shops, etc.).
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You can both spear and angle with hook and line in the same hole. This is both fun because of the “big screen” view you get from the spear hole and the fact that it increases your success rate to catch other fish while you are waiting for your trophy pike!
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Red Lake has a slot for Northern Pike of 30”- 40” that CANNOT be targeted. We use an underwater length gauge to help you know which fish is legal. It is similar to a measuring tool or bump board you would use for walleye. Upper Red Lake DNR regulations
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Mort’s uses nice 6’ x 10’ Ice Castle “Little Skidders” for both spearing and angling. Spearing dark houses are heated with propane heaters and have a 20” x 34” spear hole in addition to 5 angling holes for up to 3 people.
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We have an assortment of decoys and live bait.
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Bring your own spear and angling/spearing license. Mort’s rents spears for an additional cost. They include spears custom made by Wayne Becker which are really works of art. Ask for details on these.
Rates are $150/day and includes spear hold and 5 angling holes.
You will need to bring: Your own spear and angling/spearing license.
For other options & pricing, please visit our rates page.