New spearfishing rules take effect July 1
Starting July 1, spearfishing will be authorized by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission as a legal method for harvesting specific game fish that are inconsistent with current fisheries management plans for those waters.
Photo courtesy IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
In the past, spearfishing was only legal for harvesting unprotected nongame fish. Starting July 1, spearfishing will be authorized by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission as a legal method for harvesting specific game fish that are inconsistent with current fisheries management plans for those waters.
Spearfishing is defined as, “taking of fish by a person while underwater, with the aid of a manually or mechanically propelled single or multiple-pronged spear.”
The proposal was brought to the Commission by the public. Commissioners then directed the department to go through the rulemaking process so they could expand spearfishing opportunities in alignment with management plans. In short, spearfishing will be allowed on game fish where those fish aren't wanted in that particular water because they are incompatible with other species that are preferred by most anglers.
On July 1, spearfishing is allowed in the following locations for these species:
Panhandle Region
Walleye: Spearfishing is allowed throughout the Panhandle Region. There is no bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged.
Lake Pend Oreille
Lake trout: No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged. Spearfishing is allowed.
Upper Priest Lake
Lake trout: No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged. Spearfishing is allowed.
Clark Fork River
Northern Pike: No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged. Spearfishing is allowed.
Lake Pend Oreille
Northern Pike: No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged. Spearfishing is allowed.
Pack River and tributaries
Northern Pike: No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged. Spearfishing is allowed. Fishing closed 100 yards upstream and downstream of Grouse Creek Falls (on Grouse Creek).
Pend Oreille River (including tributaries and sloughs to the edge of flat water):
Northern Pike: No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged. Spearfishing is allowed.
Roger Phillips is a public information officer with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.