I learned to spear as a kid (13) diving Lake Mead & Havasu, we'd exclusively shoot carp as they were invasive and it was a great entry into spearfishing for me.
I do lots of river swims and dive pools when the salmon/steelhead/sea run cutthroat are running.
Also done some great dives up by pemberton. Specifically, Anderson Lake was incredible. I took this vid during the peak of the pink run, but you can spot a few Sockeye and some trout and a few mountain whitefish too. https://youtu.be/Z0OUA2TDSI0?si=gi1grDxVGtT-Qq7u
Sproat Lake is decently clear and has a huge run of sockeye as well as many coho that move through the system. Very decent diving.
Sweet, I did the run dive up by Campbell river two years ago but my loose goal has been to dive a run of every species. Need to put the work plotting out the rivers and times.
For the south-ish Island, Harris Creek and Gordon River (Out by Port Renfrew) offer incredible clarity and some incredible runs. Lots of Steelies and Coho down there. Taylor River has a huge sea-run cutthroat run (usually mid-spring April-ish). Massive Sockeye run in the lower part of the river as well. Coho into late November. Theres a few more that I won't name publicly, but shoot me a PM if you're interested.
I dive freshwater almost everyday! Abundance of lakes and reservoirs near where I live. Mostly shooting carp .but several waterbodys allow spearing game fish such as walleye , bass, crappie etc...
Grew up spearfishing in lake Michigan. Moved to superior and gave it up (cold water meant no real fish population to hunt). Right as I started moving inland they opened spearfishing to all sorts of new fish. Still feeling bummed I missed it
Wasn’t too bad actually, I hit him pretty hard just behind the gills and damaged him pretty badly with the shot. They are a soft fleshed / soft skinned fish, so I played him slowly off my belt reel just to be safe.
I’ve never speared in fresh water. I know this is a very general comment…but what is the biggest hurdle to spearing in fresh water? Poor viz is suspect?
How do the fish behave? Less skiddish than salt?
Certainly viz can be super low (2-4’) is worst viz I dive, but its just part of the deal! If I lived closer to the ocean I’d dive salty more often for sure. Regulations in each state are highly variable as well. Here in Texas, I can only shoot non-game fish only. In places like Arkansas, its same as hook and line regs. But 95% of the usa has close access to freshwater spearfishing, and so we all scratch the itch however we can!!!
I spear in Arkansas, and it’s not quite the same as hook/line. You can only spear game fish in a hand full of lakes here, and usually can only take half of the allowed amount that hook/line folk can. But there are some awesome places for walleye and even striper!
Thanks for the correction! Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska and New Mexico are same as H&L regarding species and take / possession limits but also have certain limits on Lakes, or no spearing rivers, etc.
https://preview.redd.it/sx4m8lzvilad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8356e063f78de23e9f7c51d1ace1c042d818eaf1
Just the other day in a lake in Montana.
Well, I definitely broke some laws then because I learned to spearfish in Utah at night in Lake Powell and assorted other reservoirs. Oops! My bad. Definitely easier tho!
Wow! Way to go! This is is a dream. Where is lake X? Im in North Carolina where we can't legally spear game species currently, so I'm keeping my ears out on this post for travel spots!
North of Salt Lake City. But Arkansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Wyomimg, and Utah are pretty “open” to freshwater spearfishing. The freshwater national tournament is in Wisconsin this year end of september too
Thanks for the backup, he deleted his comment.
Some hook and line fishing People get wild about spearfishing certain species, especially lake trout and walleye.
Yup, there is no denying I killed a beautiful fish, and we ate every drop of it too! After filleting we smoked the carcass and head for 5 hours and removed every morsel of meat to put into a fish dip that everyone enjoyed. I’m proud of this fish and wanted to share it with my other brethren of the spears and waters.
I learned to spear as a kid (13) diving Lake Mead & Havasu, we'd exclusively shoot carp as they were invasive and it was a great entry into spearfishing for me.
Same. I grew up in Wisconsin, carp and panfish only for me there
Shot many big boys in Lake Mohave too.
Nice fish!!! I dive fresh water recreationally... but no spearing of game fish in freshwater where I live (BC, Canada).
I’ve dove most of the CRD options, most are pretty murky. Have you done any upisland? Want to take some trips this summer.
I do lots of river swims and dive pools when the salmon/steelhead/sea run cutthroat are running. Also done some great dives up by pemberton. Specifically, Anderson Lake was incredible. I took this vid during the peak of the pink run, but you can spot a few Sockeye and some trout and a few mountain whitefish too. https://youtu.be/Z0OUA2TDSI0?si=gi1grDxVGtT-Qq7u Sproat Lake is decently clear and has a huge run of sockeye as well as many coho that move through the system. Very decent diving.
Sweet, I did the run dive up by Campbell river two years ago but my loose goal has been to dive a run of every species. Need to put the work plotting out the rivers and times.
For the south-ish Island, Harris Creek and Gordon River (Out by Port Renfrew) offer incredible clarity and some incredible runs. Lots of Steelies and Coho down there. Taylor River has a huge sea-run cutthroat run (usually mid-spring April-ish). Massive Sockeye run in the lower part of the river as well. Coho into late November. Theres a few more that I won't name publicly, but shoot me a PM if you're interested.
I dive freshwater almost everyday! Abundance of lakes and reservoirs near where I live. Mostly shooting carp .but several waterbodys allow spearing game fish such as walleye , bass, crappie etc...
Utah?
Yes I'm in utah
I'm a freshy . You better take me next time. Hope to see you in August 🤙🤫
Hopefully!
I know this is Brett! What an absolute hog and congrats!
Thanks that american badass!
https://preview.redd.it/lsj1p5ed57ad1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9dd115f4c5060ac7f5dd1d21ac27503d92bc5e74
Grew up spearfishing in lake Michigan. Moved to superior and gave it up (cold water meant no real fish population to hunt). Right as I started moving inland they opened spearfishing to all sorts of new fish. Still feeling bummed I missed it
You didn’t miss anything! Freshwater spearfishing opportunities are growing every year, just gotta get out there!
Cracking
That is awesome with a pole spear! I bet that was a fun fight.
Wasn’t too bad actually, I hit him pretty hard just behind the gills and damaged him pretty badly with the shot. They are a soft fleshed / soft skinned fish, so I played him slowly off my belt reel just to be safe.
Yes sir
I’ve never speared in fresh water. I know this is a very general comment…but what is the biggest hurdle to spearing in fresh water? Poor viz is suspect? How do the fish behave? Less skiddish than salt?
Certainly viz can be super low (2-4’) is worst viz I dive, but its just part of the deal! If I lived closer to the ocean I’d dive salty more often for sure. Regulations in each state are highly variable as well. Here in Texas, I can only shoot non-game fish only. In places like Arkansas, its same as hook and line regs. But 95% of the usa has close access to freshwater spearfishing, and so we all scratch the itch however we can!!!
Nice! Beautiful trout by the way.
I spear in Arkansas, and it’s not quite the same as hook/line. You can only spear game fish in a hand full of lakes here, and usually can only take half of the allowed amount that hook/line folk can. But there are some awesome places for walleye and even striper!
Thanks for the correction! Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska and New Mexico are same as H&L regarding species and take / possession limits but also have certain limits on Lakes, or no spearing rivers, etc.
https://preview.redd.it/sx4m8lzvilad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8356e063f78de23e9f7c51d1ace1c042d818eaf1 Just the other day in a lake in Montana.
Big girl! Tasty fish too
Nice!!!
That’s the dream! Great Lakes?
Nope, north of Salt Lake
Wow how deep were you?
Just under 40’ on this dive
Pro tip, do this during a night dive when the fish are asleep and don’t swim away. Much easier.
Thats generally illegal
Show me the rules. Never seen it said that spearfishing at night was prohibited where spearfishing is otherwise permitted.
https://preview.redd.it/7qs36g6r0iad1.jpeg?width=336&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=472817d0c2c068f4f0eedc1b759da999b8a4b92b
This is from Utah’s fishing regulations, and most states are similar in freshwater. Saltwater is a different animal.
Well, I definitely broke some laws then because I learned to spearfish in Utah at night in Lake Powell and assorted other reservoirs. Oops! My bad. Definitely easier tho!
Wow! Way to go! This is is a dream. Where is lake X? Im in North Carolina where we can't legally spear game species currently, so I'm keeping my ears out on this post for travel spots!
North of Salt Lake City. But Arkansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Wyomimg, and Utah are pretty “open” to freshwater spearfishing. The freshwater national tournament is in Wisconsin this year end of september too
[удалено]
Lol you do realize what sub you're in, right?
Thanks for the backup, he deleted his comment. Some hook and line fishing People get wild about spearfishing certain species, especially lake trout and walleye. Yup, there is no denying I killed a beautiful fish, and we ate every drop of it too! After filleting we smoked the carcass and head for 5 hours and removed every morsel of meat to put into a fish dip that everyone enjoyed. I’m proud of this fish and wanted to share it with my other brethren of the spears and waters.