Spearfishing

December 29, 2022

Question: Can I spearfish in freshwater inland lakes, streams and rivers?

Answer: There are only a few inland waters where spearfishing is allowed, and the species that can be taken by spearfishing is limited. Information on location and species can be found in CDFW’s California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

The definition of “spearfishing” comes from California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 1.76:
The taking of fish by spear or hand by persons who are in the water and may be using underwater goggles, face plates, breathing tubes, scuba or other artificial underwater.

Locations for spearfishing can be found in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 2.30. Spearfishing is permitted only in:

1.  The Colorado River District for carp, tilapia, goldfish and mullet, all year.

2.  The Valley District and Black Butte Lake (Tehama County) for carp, tilapia, goldfish, striped bass, western sucker, Sacramento blackfish, hardhead, Sacramento pikeminnow and lamprey, from May 1 through Sept. 15, except that no spearfishing is permitted in:

a.  Shasta County (see Section 2.12).
b.  Tehama County except Black Butte Lake.
c.  Butte Creek (Butte Co.).
d.  Feather River below Oroville Dam (Butte Co.).
e.  Designated salmon spawning areas (See California Fish and Game Code section 1505).

3.  The Kern River from the Kern-Tulare county line upstream to the Johnsondale Bridge for carp, goldfish, western sucker, hardhead and Sacramento pikeminnow, from May 1 through Sept.15.

4.  See bullfrogs (Section 5.05).