Spear-Fishing For the first time in 30 years, the National Park Service has temporarily opened up SpearFishing on Lake Powell. This is an evaluation period till December of 2007. Wayne Gustaveson (Utah Wildlife Officer at Lake Powell) needs any information that we can provide such as: How many spear fishers/bow fishers, how long fished, fish numbers taken, area fishing, and any comments or suggestions you would like him to know pertinent to Spearfishing. Please contact him directly at waynegustaveson@thebigpond.com or contact us at chace@twinfinn.com and we will try to update you on current Lake Conditions. THIS FEEDBACK IS VERY IMPORTANT! THE FUTURE OF SPEARFISHING ON LAKE POWELL DEPENDS ON IT! We would like to thank Wayne, and all the others who were involved in making this possible. Below are links to the Websites who have made Spear Fishing in this area possible. (If we have left out your site, please let us know) · · http://www.atlantisdivers.com/spearfishing.html · · http://www.diveu.com/             Rules Atlantis Divers did a great job putting together the rules http://www.atlantisdivers.com/laws05.html#Utah AZ RULES 2005-2006 PROCLAMATION LAKE POWELL: Carp may be taken by spearfishing and bow and arrow during daylight hours. Striped bass may also be taken by spearfishing and bow and arrow during daylight hours; unlimited for striped bass up to 30 inches, but only one striped bass over 30 inches may be taken by spearfishing or bow and arrow. Lake Mead The limit is 20 striped bass; striped bass may be taken by spear or spear gun; the limit is 15 crappie. Lake Mohave Striped bass may be taken by spear or spear gun from that portion of the lake between Hoover Dam and Cottonwood Landing; the limit is 15 crappie. UT RULES 2005-2006 PROCLAMATION II. (33) "Underwater spearfishing "means fishing by a person swimming or diving and using a mechanical device held in the hand which uses a rubber band, spring or pneumatic power to propel a spear to take fish. 4. Underwater Spearfishing R657-13-9 (1) Underwater spearfishing is permitted from official sunrise to official sunset. (2) Use of artificial light is unlawful while underwater spearfishing. (3) Causey Reservoir, Deer Creek Reservoir, Fish Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Joe's Valley Reservoir, Ken's Lake, Lake Powell, Lost Creek Reservoir, Red Fleet Reservoir, Steinaker Reservoir, Starvation Reservoir, and Willard Bay Reservoir are open to taking game fish by means of underwater spearfishing from June 1 through September 30, 2006. These are the only waters open to underwater spearfishing for game fish. (4) Lake Powell is open to taking carp and striped bass by means of underwater spearfishing from January 1 through December 31, 2006 (See Section V. PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC WATERS, Lake Powell.). (5) The bag and possession limit is two game fish. No more than one game fish greater than 20 inches may be taken, except at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. At Flaming Gorge Reservoir only one lake trout (mackinaw) greater than 28 inches may be taken. (See Section V. PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC WATERS.) (6) Nongame fish may be taken by spearfishing only in the waters listed in Subsections (3) and (4) above and as provided in Section III.D. TAKING NONGAME FISH. (7) Carp may be taken from any water open to angling during the open angling season. V. PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC WATERS R657-13-20 (1) The provisions set forth in this section take precedence over general provisions. Seasons, bag limits and other restrictions stated herein apply only during the times and waters listed. (2) General provisions apply to all waters NOT listed in this section. (3) Section IV.C., BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS, apply to the catch and harvest of fish not identified in the specific exceptions for the following waters. THE FOLLOWING WATERS HAVE SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL PROVISIONS: LAKE POWELL (Kane, Garfield and San Juan counties) See INTERSTATE WATERS FOR LICENSE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS (Section III.A.(7), AND FISHING METHODS/ BAIT FOR USE OF DEAD SHAD AS BAIT IN LAKE POWELL (Section III.B.(7)). • Chumming is only allowed for taking striped bass. ONLY commercially prepared anchovies and sardines may be used for chumming. • Carp and striped bass may be taken by means of underwater spearfishing January 1 through December 31, 2006. • Carp may be taken by archery equipment January 1 through December 31, 2006. • Archery and spearfishing is prohibited within: (a) 1/4 mile of all existing developed areas, including shoreline campgrounds, docks, launch ramps, breakwaters and trail heads; (b) 1/4 mile of any structure, "Structure" includes any building, shed, pump-out, boat dock, breakwater, permanent harbor fixture, camper, motor home, trailer, tent, or vehicle; (c) Rainbow Bridge National Monument; (d) 1/4 mile of Dangling Rope Marina, including any land or harbor based structures; (e) 100 yards (300 feet) of any boats, unless: (i) The person owns, rents, leases, or lawfully occupies the boat, or; (ii) Another boat moves into the 100 yard perimeter after the bow or spear fishing activity has commenced. Spear fishing has been identified in the 2004 Superintendent's Compendium as a permitted activity at Lake Powell. See below for the rules as of this writing. All of these limits are quick references only! Please refer to your States specific Game and Fish Regulations before undertaking these activities. 36 CFR § 2.3 - FISHING   National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Superintendent's Compendium Of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary Authority. Approved: /s/ _____________________________ Kitty L. Roberts, Superintendent GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA And RAINBOW BRIDGE NATIONAL MONUMENT 2005 May 05, 2005 __________________ ____ Date P.O. BOX 1507 Page, Arizona 86040 928-608-62 00 phone 928-608-62 08 fax Bow and Spear Fishing: 36 CFR 2.4 (d)1 Lake Powell, except within Rainbow Bridge NM, is designated as waters where bow-fishing and underwater spear-fishing are experimentally allowed in accordance with applicable state law. Archery and spear-fishing equipment are weapons and must conform to all NRA weapon regulations as outlined in 36 CFR 2.4. Underwater spear-fishing defined: The term underwater spear-fishing is defined as fishing by a person swimming or diving and using a mechanical device held in the hand which uses a rubber band, spring, or pneumatic power to propel a spear to take carp or striped bass. Bow-fishing defined: The term bow-fishing is defined as taking carp or striped bass with archery tackle from boat or shore. Spear and bow-fishing requirements: All participants must possess a valid fishing license and/or State use stamp. Fishing with bow or spear is allowed from official sunrise to sunset daily with no closed season annually. Use of artificial light is prohibited. Daily spear take is limited to 1 striped bass greater than 30 inches. Smaller stripers can be taken without limit by spear-fishing only. Carp can be taken without limit; however, they may not be abandoned on the shoreline. Spear and Bow fishing is closed for reasons of public safety: Within 1/4 mile of all existing developed areas including shoreline campgrounds, docks, launch ramps, breakwaters and trailheads. Within ¼ mile of Dangling Rope Marina, including any land or harbor based structures. Within 1/4 mile of any structure. A "structure" is defined as, but not limited to any building, shed, pump-out, boat dock, breakwater, permanent harbor fixture, camper, motor-home, trailer, tent, or vehicle. Within 100 yards (300') of any boat, unless: the person owns, rents, leases, or lawfully occupies the boat, or; another boat moves into the 100 yard perimeter after the bow or spear fishing activity has commenced. Spear and Bow fishing is closed for the protection of threatened/endangered species: In any area determined to contain endangered species critical habitat. Critical habitat closures for the purposes of bow and spear fishing will be posted on area bulletin boards, information kiosks, at launch ramps, local dive shops, and in other locations frequented by fishermen. Determination Summary: Fishing regulations promulgated by the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources and the Arizona Game & Fish Department sanction bow & spear fishing. This section further defines and restricts a broad category of activities allowed by state law. SEE APPENDIX A FOR DETERMINATION/JUSTIFICATION. Good Luck Fishing This year!

Rules

Atlantis Divers did a great job putting together the rules

http://www.atlantisdivers.com/laws05.html#Utah

AZ RULES 2004 PROCLAMATION

LAKE MOHAVE (Willow Beach): Limit is 20 for striped bass 20" in length or larger; unlimited for striped bass under 20" in length; striped bass may be taken by spear or spear gun from that portion of the lake between Hoover Dam and Cottonwood Landing. No restriction on carp. No Spearfishing allowed within 200 yards of any boat dock or designated swimming area.

LAKE MEAD: The limit is 20 striped bass; striped bass may be taken by spear or spear gun. No restriction on carp. No Spearfishing allowed within 200 yards of any boat dock or designated swimming area.

LAKE POWELL: Spear fishing has been identified in the 2004 Superintendent's Compendium as a permitted activity at Lake Powell. See below for the rules as of this writing. All of these limits are quick references only! Please refer to your States specific Game and Fish Regulations before undertaking these activities.

36 CFR § 2.3 - FISHING

Lake Powell, except within Rainbow Bridge NM, is designated as waters where bow-fishing and underwater spear-fishing are experimentally allowed in accordance with applicable state law. Archery and spear-fishing equipment are weapons and must conform to all NRA weapon regulations as outlined in 36 CFR 2.4.

UNDERWATER SPEAR-FISHING DEFINED: The term underwater spear-fishing is defined as fishing by a person swimming or diving and using a mechanical device held in the hand which uses a rubber band, spring, or pneumatic power to propel a spear to take carp or striped bass.

BOW-FISHING DEFINED: The term bow-fishing is defined as taking carp or striped bass with archery tackle from boat or shore.

Spear and bow-fishing requirements:

· All participants must possess a valid fishing license and/or State use stamp.

· Fishing with bow or spear is allowed from official sunrise to sunset daily with no closed season annually.

· Use of artificial light is prohibited.

· Daily spear take is limited to 1 striped bass greater than 30 inches. Smaller stripers can be taken without limit by spear-fishing only.

· Carp can be taken without limit; however, they may not be abandoned on the shoreline.

Spear and Bow fishing is closed for reasons of public safety:

· Within 1/4 mile of all existing developed areas including shoreline campgrounds, docks, launch ramps, breakwaters and trailheads.

· Within 1/4 mile of any structure. A "structure" is defined as, but not limited to any building, shed, pumpout, houseboat, camper, motor-home, trailer, tent, or vehicle.

DETERMINATION: The target species for archers and spear fishermen in Lake Powell will be carp and striped bass. Allowing different user groups to target these overabundant species may increase harvest, particularly of carp, which are otherwise not harvested. Allowing this use may also increase visitor enjoyment for the groups that engage in these activities. The experimental opening of bow and spear fishing will be evaluated for three years (2004-2006) to determine if it is an effective management tool and a desired recreational opportunity.

Lake Powell is designated as waters where live waterdogs and dead anchovies may be used as bait for fishing. There is a biological need to increase harvest of striped bass in Lake Powell. Striped bass successfully reproduce in Lake Powell, and exhibit cyclic population expansion beyond the capability of forage species to sustain striped bass population in a healthy condition. The health of the striped bass population is dependent upon matching the striped bass abundance with available forage food, which is primarily threadfin shad. Threadfin shad have periodic or cyclic population dynamics in which every two or three years the population declines to minimal abundance, then a year or two of adequate to good abundance. When striped bass numbers greatly exceed available forage, their growth becomes stunted and emaciated to the point that die-offs occur. Anglers lose interest in harvesting striped bass when emaciated fish condition precludes obtaining an edible filet portion. It is preferable to harvest as many striped bass as possible during years when the stripers are both abundant and in good condition. Angler harvest is the only method of control of striped bass abundance, and allowing fishing with anchovies as bait and broadcast attraction (chumming) with anchovies has been found to be an effective method in concentrating and catching striped bass.

The use of dead anchovies for bait in Lake Powell conforms to State fishing regulations. The use of dead anchovies will not affect the sport fish, as there are catch and possession limits. To encourage striped bass harvest, there are no catch or possession limits for this species.

The use of dead anchovies as bait for fishing will be allowed in Lake Powell for attracting and taking striped bass. All other methods and materials of chumming remain prohibited. Angler harvest is the only viable method currently available for reducing striped bass numbers and allowing these actions are management tools for maintaining a healthy bass community.

The waters of Lake Powell are designated for the use of live waterdogs as bait for fishing. Scientific data indicate that this established bait would not adversely impact populations of native fish.

Good Luck Fishing
This year!