Trying To Sort Out Spearfishing Regs...

[ItWasntMe]

Hi All!
Recently moved to WI and just decided to look into spearfishing here. I've read the PDF from the DNR three times now. Perhaps I'm just denser than an oak stump but is it even possible to spear anything while diving that I'd want to eat?
To quote the DNR's regs:
"What is a minnow or rough fish? By Wisconsin law, minnows include suckers, mud minnow, madtoms, stonecat, killifish, stickleback, trout perch, darters, sculpins, and all species in the minnow family (except goldfish and carp). Rough fish include dace, suckers, carp, goldfish, redhorse, freshwater drum, burbot, bowfin, gar, buffalo, lamprey, alewife, gizzard shad, smelt, mooneye, and carpsuckers."

No where in the PDF file for the 2010/2011 regs have I found any reference to perch, crappie, etc.
What I guess I'm trying to get it is what can I spearfish for here that I'd WANT to eat? (carp I will eat but I'd rather be pretty hungry first. they just taste like crap the couple times I've tried it.)
Can anyone point me to where I can find a citation where it shows I can spearfish for pan fish like perch, bluegill, crappie, etc?

Thanks for any replies, and any direction.

ETA: Perhaps the issue with my understanding the WI spearfishing regulations is my ignorance on the different families of fresh water fish rather than being able to identify a handful of fish I enjoy eating. Will search to try and determine what "family" crappie, bluegill, etc are in. To me they've always been perch/panfish without any specific families laid out. More searching, so much to learn when changing states, didn't quite realize how much a cross country move can really be "starting all over again".

 

[kraftyjack]

Underwater Spear Fishing:​

It is lawful to take the following fish species with the use of spears and spear guns by skin and scuba diving in all waters where spearing for rough fish is permitted from sunrise to sunset during the listed spearing seasons: white bass, yellow bass (striped), rock bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, pumpkinseed (sunfish) and bullheads provided that the season for these species is also open on the same water. Daily bag limits and length​

restrictions also apply.

Page 6 of the "Spearing and Netting Regulations"

​

 

[ItWasntMe]

I have no idea how I missed that so many times, but it's right there plain as day on page 6.

Thank you for setting me straight on that! Now I'm looking forward to some spearfishing fun! Won't quite be the same as spearfishing and abalone diving off the CA coast but it'll keep me happy!

Thanks again!!!

Now to continue going thru the posts and the list of lakes on the DNR website to try and find suitable local areas for diving. Lake Wazee is "just down the road" as my neighbor said, and Devil's Lake has been recommended as a diving (not spearfishing) location I may enjoy.

I'm really happy I brought my spearguns and didn't get rid of them like so much other stuff. Bought one of them when I was somewhere between 10 and 14 and still have it at 34. I've got a Russian pneumatic that I've never used in the water that'd be perfect for those crappie, bluegill, perch. Also have my spear pole that I bought about the same time as my first spear gun.

Call me an over grown kid but today is a very happy day!

If anyone has any suggestions for some decent lakes with 10+ foot of visibility within a reasonable drive of Sparta they don't mind sharing I'd sure be grateful! I plan to hit the Great Lakes as funds allow, and want to give Door County a try too. Ahh building the list of locations to try out and looking forward to every one of them!

 

[Whopperhead]

ItWasntMe- I'm in Tomah quite a bit I live in BRIGGSVILLE- About an hour away. We dive sometime, ill answr any questions. Show you some decent lakes, ect..
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[ItWasntMe]

Whopperhead! That's really generous of you! Thank you!

Do you have any suggestions for a lake closer than Devil's Lake that has a depth of around 25' or better other than Lake Wazee?

I'm still unpacking and finding stuff, replacing what I know I don't have anymore, and getting my gear in order. Basement is a total mess and the garage is still boxes, but I'm hoping to have a couple locations picked out to try come April or so. I think fishing & hunting licenses in WI start/expire in March and will need to get both.