'Getting to yes' on spearfishing in Idaho

On July 1, spearfishing for certain game fish in specific locations was legalized in Idaho. Before that, it was only permitted for unprotected, nongame fish species. The effort represents a strong collaboration between the public, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and Fish and Game staff to expand recreational fishing opportunities. 

The road to “yes”

The proposal to expand spearfishing opportunities was first presented to the Commission in May 2024. The proposal aligned with the state’s Fisheries Management Plan and supported existing management objectives, so the Commission and department went through formal rulemaking to allow the taking of game fish with spearguns. 

Then, the regional staff drafted proposals for local waters focused on increasing the harvest of game fish, which were incompatible with conservation or other fisheries management objectives. These proposals were shared for public comment, generating more than 1,000 responses, the majority of which strongly supported spearfishing. The Commission in May unanimously approved the new spearfishing seasons, which took effect July 1.

“I think this shows the effectiveness and willingness of the Commission to listen to input from the public,” Commissioner Ron Davies of Salmon said.

Public response

Recreational divers and anglers are already taking advantage of the new opportunity, including Dennis Haussler, a seasoned spearfisherman in the Panhandle Region who played an instrumental role in working with the Commission.

“When I moved up here five years ago, I figured my freediving and spearfishing would be set aside,” Haussler said. “But this has opened the door to what I really love to do.”

Haussler now regularly dives Lake Pend Oreille, targeting walleye, lake trout and northern pike — species Fish and Game manages for reduced abundance in order to protect kokanee, rainbow trout, bull trout and cutthroat trout populations.

On the process itself, Haussler added:

“No place I’ve ever been has anything like this ever happened before. Never,” he said.

— Idaho Department of Fish and Game