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Spearfishing

Spearfishing is essentially hunting underwater, and it is an absolute blast!

    There are basically two methods of spearfishing; Scuba diving and free-diving.

There are different guns, styles and techniques used in each. Lucky for us, the lakes of the White River chain are some of the best freshwater lakes in the United States to enjoy spearfishing.

     We cary JBL and SEAC guns. Pneumatic's, Band guns, as well as Hawaiian Slings aka, Pole Spears and a full line of replacement parts and accessories to make sure you have everything you would possibly need.

 

     We teach ethical spearfishing practices in our "Underwater Hunter" Specialty Classes. Being a steward of the marine environment is important to maintain proper species balance and enjoyment for the next generations of underwater hunters to come. 

 

    We offer instruction starting opening season June 15th and continue throughout the season by based on request. Just a short drive down to Bull Shoals Lake. We start with Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie, White Bass and Blue Catfish. Then July opens to Flathead Catfish. 

It's an absolute addictive sport! 

It's also a fantastic way to work on your "Species Identification" Specialty Certification.

Missouri Guidelines

 

Spearfishing in Missouri is limited to only those fish species designated as 'nongame'. There is a year-round season on these fish from surise to sunset with a daily limit of 50; with goldfish and several species of carp having no daily limit. Fishing can take place on impounded waters and temporary overflow of a river or ditch. 

 

Game Fish:

These fish are illegal to spearfish at any time in Missouri: Goggle-eye

(commonly known as Ozark bass, rock bass, and shadow bass), warmouth,

northern pike, muskellunge, tiger muskie, muskiepike hybrid, chain pickerel,

grass pickerel, all species of catfish except bullheads, all species of black bass

(largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted), paddlefish (spoonbill), all species of

crappie, white bass, yellow bass, and striped bass, trout, walleye, sauger, and

shovelnose sturgeon.

 

Nongame Fish:

Nongame fish include bluegill, green sunfish, carp, carpsuckers, suckers, buffalo,drum, gar, and all other species other than those defined as game fish or listed as endangered. All species other than those listed as endangered or defined as game fish. Nongame fish are referred to as “other fish” in the Wildlife Code.
 

 

Arkansas Guidelines

 

Spearfishing is defined as taking fish with a spear-like apparatus (such as a speargun or Hawaiian sling) while the user is under the surface of the water.

 

  • Spearfishing is allowed on Beaver Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Catherine, Lake Conway, DeGray Lake, Lake Erling, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson, Lake Hamilton, Harris Brake Lake, Millwood Lake, Nimrod Lake, Norfork Lake, Lake Ouachita, Table Rock Lake and impoundments created by the locks and dams on the Arkansas River.

  • Spearfishing for largemouth, spotted or smallmouth bass is not allowed in Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Millwood Lake, Norfork Lake and Table Rock Lake.

  • Spearfishing for smallmouth bass is not allowed on Lake Ouachita.

  • Spearfishing for sport fish is allowed June 15-March 15, from sunrise to sunset.

  • Spearfishing for flathead catfish is allowed July 15-March 15.

  • Rough fish may be taken by spearfishing all year.

  • On Gillham Lake, Dierks Lake and DeQueen Lake, catfish, gar, bowfin, common carp, Asian carp, (grass carp, bighead carp and silver carp), suckers (including buffalo) and drum may be taken from June 15-March 15, sunrise to sunset. Flathead catfish may be taken from July 15-March 15.

  • The spearfishing limit is half the hook-and-line daily limit for the water being fished (or the lesser whole number nearest one-half when the limit is an odd number).

  • Spearfishers must abide by length and slot limits and may not have a spear gun in public waters other than those specified above.

  • Spearfishermen must display a standard diver’s flag and spearfish no more than 100 yards from it. The flag must be at least 12 inches square and at least 12 inches above the water.

  • Spearfishermen must complete spearfishing activities and leave the body of water where fish were taken before cleaning or dressing fish.

 

Reciprocal Fishing Licenses

 

The White River system reservoirs of Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork are nationally-known for their high-quality fishing and incomparable beauty.  Missouri and Arkansas recognize the sport fishing and resident commercial fishing licenses of the two states on the flowing waters of the St. Francis River that form a common boundary between the two states. A sport-fishing licensee or legally exempt resident of either state abides by the regulations of the state issuing the license. The agreement does not apply to tributaries, bayous and backwaters of the St. Francis River.

 

A White River Border Lakes License (WRL) is available for a $10 annual fee. This license allows holders of a valid resident license from either state to fish all waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes without a fishing license from the other state. The permit is valid for impounded waters (the waters between Beaver Lake Dam and Houseman Access in Arkansas are excluded). Trout may not be taken with this license. Anglers younger than 16 do not need to buy this license to fish in Missouri waters. Anglers are required to abide by the fishing regulations of the state where they are fishing. The only differences in regulations are:

 

  • On Table Rock Lake, spotted bass must be at least 12 inches long to keep (Arkansas) or at least 15 inches long to keep (Missouri).

  • On Lake Norfork, anglers may take up to three stripers and hybrids and 25 white bass of any size per day in Arkansas, except for striped bass, which must be over 20 inches. In Missouri, anglers may take up to 15 stripers, hybrids, white and yellow bass, only four of which may exceed 18 inches long.

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May-September                  October-November      December-April 

9 am-6 pm                          9 am-5 pm                    10 am-5 pm

7 Days a Week                     Mon-Sat                        Mon-Sat

                                             Sunday Closed               Sunday Closed

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