Spearfishing northern pike in lake Roosevelt system?

[KFhunter]

I wonder if this is a possibility?



I used to spear non-game fish, but sadly it's hard to stay interested in spearing fish that aren't really edible.  I know I could wack a lot of pike in a day with a speargun!

[Woodchuck]

When I was a kid you could spear them with a hand thrown spear through the ice in the winter time. It was a kick in the pants, never did dive for them though.

[2labs]

One of my friends is a spearfisherman and has some funny stories! Lets just say you don't have home field advantage. He's told me one story about spearing a big ling under the Hood Canal bridge. He's a big boy and got his ass handed too him

[h20hunter]

I've stuck a few big ling in my time....lotta fun. I would think a banded spear gun, set of fins, and a snorkel could be a lot of fun in the summer. Swim along over the weed beds......duh duh....duh duh....

[7mmfan]

I've stuck a few big ling in my time....lotta fun. I would think a banded spear gun, set of fins, and a snorkel could be a lot of fun in the summer. Swim along over the weed beds......duh duh....duh duh....

If they're anything like tiger musky, you could easily get in range of them. Would be a kick in the pants.

[h20hunter]

For sure. I bet you would find them along breaks and any type of weeds or cover that they can ambush prey. Lot like a ling except suspended. Logs and wood that hold heat would be a good area, outside of the edge of spawning beds where you have panfish might also produce.

[h20hunter]

skip to the 2:30 mark......

[7mmfan]

 

[Ridgeratt]

I would have to think it might fall under the rules for Bow fishing carp in Roosevelt and that is not allowed. I also think that you cannot spear fish Freshwater species.

I would guess it has been done before but might not be legal

[KFhunter]

I would have to think it might fall under the rules for Bow fishing carp in Roosevelt and that is not allowed. I also think that you cannot spear fish Freshwater species.

I would guess it has been done  berfore but might not be legal

You can bow fish carp statewide, but the lake Roosevelt system has special rules that say bow fishing is illegal in that system. 
Funny thing is you can spear carp which includes pitchforks and spear guns in lake Roosevelt, just can't shoot them with an bow and arrow. 

I may have had a hand in getting that outlawed in the lake Roosevelt rec area     I shot *a lot* of carp as a teen kid   

Northern pike has no special rules other than you have to kill them before you remove them from the area, no limits-no season but the kicker is state wide rules for game fish limit it to hook and line only.  It would be a simple thing for WDFW to allow spearfishing for northern pike in the lake Roosevelt and maybe PO river system.  I'm not 100% sure where northern pike land in WA, are they game fish species or non-game species?  As of right now I'm thinking it's illegal to catch/harvest them unless hook and line are used.

[shootem]

If it is legal and the water is clear enough, scuba diving and spearfishing pike would be a blast and effective at reducing their numbers. Any experts on the law that can clarify? I will be there next summer if it won't get me a ticket. Anybody been under water in Lake Roosevelt to know viz?

[724wd]

Anybody been under water in Lake Roosevelt to know viz?

visibility is no issue at roosevelt.  at least where I've been (Keller-to-fort spokane)

[KFhunter]

If it is legal and the water is clear enough, scuba diving and spearfishing pike would be a blast and effective at reducing their numbers. Any experts on the law that can clarify? I will be there next summer if it won't get me a ticket. Anybody been under water in Lake Roosevelt to know viz?

 
*IF* WDFW made it legal to shoot northern pike:

It's excellent 10 months of the year, I wouldn't make any underwater plans in May or June, but by July it's clearing up rapidly. 

I would hunt pike in mid April through mid May in the shallows and early weed beds/shallows up north or above the 1310 line then start again in July.  The problem with lake Roosevelt is it's being drawn down really low in April/May but on the tributaries there's shallow weed beds for spawning up near the Canadian border - I'd focus up there early season.  In July I'd drop down to the sloughs for the carp spawn, the pike will be in there hard.

In August you'll want a wetsuit to prevent the duck lice from giving you swimmers itch.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/swimmers-itch-topic-overview

I've been covered head to toe more times than I can count wading around shooting carp, it's an irritant but gone in a couple days.

[bigtex]

I would have to think it might fall under the rules for Bow fishing carp in Roosevelt and that is not allowed. I also think that you cannot spear fish Freshwater species.

I would guess it has been done  berfore but might not be legal

You can bow fish carp statewide, but the lake Roosevelt system has special rules that say bow fishing is illegal in that system. 
Funny thing is you can spear carp which includes pitchforks and spear guns in lake Roosevelt, just can't shoot them with an bow and arrow. 

I may have had a hand in getting that outlawed in the lake Roosevelt rec area     I shot *a lot* of carp as a teen kid   

Northern pike has no special rules other than you have to kill them before you remove them from the area, no limits-no season but the kicker is state wide rules for game fish limit it to hook and line only.  It would be a simple thing for WDFW to allow spearfishing for northern pike in the lake Roosevelt and maybe PO river system.  I'm not 100% sure where northern pike land in WA, are they game fish species or non-game species?  As of right now I'm thinking it's illegal to catch/harvest them unless hook and line are used.

Your partially correct.

The issue comes down to the management of Lake Roosevelt by the National Park Service. It is against state & federal law to bowfish in Lake Roosevelt. It is against federal law (not state law) to spear fish in Lake Roosevelt. Per NPS regulation 36 CFR 2.3(d)(1)
(d)  The following are prohibited:
(1)  Fishing in fresh waters in any manner other than by hook and line, with the rod or line being closely attended.

The NPS does authorize the use of spearfishing in saltwater if the state allows it. But when it comes to freshwater, only hook and line is allowed.

This is another situation where the state/WDFW allows an act under state law, but the federal land management agency does not. Another similar situation is the prohibition on coyote hunting on USFWS lands in WA (with one exception at the Pend Orielle NWR)

[KFhunter]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

[bigtex]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Would be fun for sure!  Our neighbers brother in Montana owns his own private resivours which have pike in them. When iced over they drag out the Ice Houses and drill holes. They hang a decoy fish just below the ice. Sit and wait for MR Pike to come check it out. Then Spear It!!!!!!!

[lokidog]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

[bigtex]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

[grundy53]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

Except the "landowners" don't own the land. We do. They just operate it for us. I'm glad the WDFW can't ticket someone for shooting a coyote.

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[bigtex]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

Except the "landowners" don't own the land. We do. They just operate it for us. I'm glad the WDFW can't ticket someone for shooting a coyote.

Instead the WDFW Officer sends the info to a federal officer who then slaps a federal citation on the offender.....

[grundy53]

It's their stupid law. Let them enforce it.

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[grundy53]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

Another reason this is a poor comparison is that while as private citizens you and I can put our own restrictions on the use of our land we can't make those restrictions law. Punishable with fines and jail time.

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[bigtex]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

Another reason this is a poor comparison is that while as private citizens you and I can put our own restrictions on the use of our land we can't make those restrictions law. Punishable with fines and jail time.

In WA there is case law that says someone who violates landowners rules/regs can be charged with trespass.

So for those timber companies who say for example no camping or target shooting, you can be charged with trespass.

[grundy53]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

Another reason this is a poor comparison is that while as private citizens you and I can put our own restrictions on the use of our land we can't make those restrictions law. Punishable with fines and jail time.

In WA there is case law that says someone who violates landowners rules/regs can be charged with trespass.

So for those timber companies who say for example no camping or target shooting, you can be charged with trespass.

That isn't the same thing at all. The reason they have to charge you with trespassing is because they CAN'T make up their own laws for their land. The Feds wouldn't charge you with trespassing for shooting a coyote would they?

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[bigtex]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

Another reason this is a poor comparison is that while as private citizens you and I can put our own restrictions on the use of our land we can't make those restrictions law. Punishable with fines and jail time.

In WA there is case law that says someone who violates landowners rules/regs can be charged with trespass.

So for those timber companies who say for example no camping or target shooting, you can be charged with trespass.

That isn't the same thing at all. The reason they have to charge you with trespassing is because they CAN'T make up their own laws for their land. The Feds wouldn't charge you with trespassing for shooting a coyote would they?

Actually, on FWS lands yes they could charge you with trespass (federally).

Under federal law FWS lands are closed to the public unless they are opened by the manager. When a manager opens the lands they determine which activities (big game hunting, waterfowl, etc) have been determined to be compatible with the refuge. All other activities are prohibited. If you violate that restriction you are essentially violating the public use restriction.

So in the case of someone shooting a coyote on FWS lands you could be charged with the unauthorized take of an animal on a Nat'l wildlife refuge, and for trespass for partaking in an activity which is not authorized.

[grundy53]

Thanks Bigtex.  Sucks about the CFR prohibiting spearing in fresh water.

Unfortunately it creates a conundrum. People read the WDFW pamphlet and think an act (spearfishing on NPS lands, shooting a coyote on FWS lands, etc) is legal, only to find out it's illegal under federal law.

I honestly think WDFW should get with FWS and NPS so they can adopt the federal regs into the state regs. This will do two things. 1- It'll make the public aware of the federal regs by actually listing them in the pamphlet. 2- It'll allow WDFW Officers to actually enforce (charge someone) with the violation. Right now if a WDFW Officer saw someone violating one of these acts they'd have to call a NPS/FWS LEO or send a report to them since there is no applicable state charge.

OR the Feds could let the State manage it's own fish and wildlife?  At least as much as the state actually does.   

The agencies are considered to be landowners just like you or I. Just like you can open your land to hunting with restrictions, the feds can as well. The ability for the feds to create laws for fed lands is found in the Constitution (the Property Clause)

Another reason this is a poor comparison is that while as private citizens you and I can put our own restrictions on the use of our land we can't make those restrictions law. Punishable with fines and jail time.

In WA there is case law that says someone who violates landowners rules/regs can be charged with trespass.

So for those timber companies who say for example no camping or target shooting, you can be charged with trespass.

That isn't the same thing at all. The reason they have to charge you with trespassing is because they CAN'T make up their own laws for their land. The Feds wouldn't charge you with trespassing for shooting a coyote would they?

Actually, on FWS lands yes they could charge you with trespass (federally).

Under federal law FWS lands are closed to the public unless they are opened by the manager. When a manager opens the lands they determine which activities (big game hunting, waterfowl, etc) have been determined to be compatible with the refuge. All other activities are prohibited. If you violate that restriction you are essentially violating the public use restriction.

So in the case of someone shooting a coyote on FWS lands you could be charged with the unauthorized take of an animal on a Nat'l wildlife refuge, and for trespass for partaking in an activity which is not authorized.

You missed the point. I didn't ask if they could charge you additionally with trespassing but whether they would charge you with trespassing because that was their only recourse. It was a rhetorical question. We both already knew the answer . I couldn't charge my neighbor with unauthorized take of an animal on Grundy's property.

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