The Department of Natural Resources has announced new regulations for sturgeon spearing at Black Lake designed to allow more people to participate.

Anglers who want to try their hands at sturgeon spearing season will be required to register on-site at Black Lake the day they plan to fish. They will be required to register any sturgeon speared immediately.

Sturgeon season is slated to begin Feb. 6 and will run through Feb. 10 or whenever the quota is reached, whichever comes first.

The new harvest strategy replaces the system that has been used in recent years that required anglers to draw for permits and limited the number of participants. Under the new system, the five-day season will close as soon as the quota is reached. Anglers on the ice when the quota is reached will be notified that the season is closed.

Biologists believe the new system will allow greater participation but will protect the Black Lake sturgeon population from over-harvest. The change was developed in conjunction with Sturgeon For Tomorrow, a conservation group centered at Black Lake.