Spearfishing Carp in Eastern WA?

[Little D]

Myself and several of my friends have been searching for the perfect place to do some carp spear fishing. I know of a couple places that have carp in decent amounts but the lakes I do know of, don’t offer very diver friendly areas. I am looking for places that are walking accessible and offer limited boater traffic. Any info that anyone knows that could be helpful would be great. I am looking for areas that have a large population of carp because swimming the entire lake looking for the few carp in the lake is not as exciting as it might sound. Anything near the Wenatchee area would be fantastic. Thanks a lot!

[panfisher]

three lakes in malaga, several Rock Island ponds, those ponds you see on the left of the highway heading to entiat. A great place is the winchester wasteway out of Quincy. tons of them in there thru the whole system. try the dam at the beginning of this system. or from the I-90 area behind the rest area.

[Little D]

Thanks alot those are well within my travel distance and I will be sure to check them out and let you know if they produce and Any trips will be shared for sure.

[Little D]

Ok so tomorrow I will be heading out around noon and I will be on the hunt with a few friends....with the suggestions I have gotten it should be a busy day. If anyone knows of any more lakes,rivers,streams,creeks or puddles that are holding some carp let me know.

[Teal101]

three lakes in malaga, several Rock Island ponds, those ponds you see on the left of the highway heading to entiat. A great place is the winchester wasteway out of Quincy. tons of them in there thru the whole system. try the dam at the beginning of this system. or from the I-90 area behind the rest area.

DO NOT SPEAR FISH FOR CARP IN THE ROCK ISLAND PONDS!!!!!!!!!!! Those carp are ALL Grass Carp. They poison and shock those lakes often and NEVER have they had Common Carp turn up. They have state planted Grass Carp which are ILLEGAL to harvest.

Both wasteways are good for Carp, Evergreen lake at the Quincy Lakes, and of course Moses Lake and the Potholes.

[Little D]

Went to Daroga State Park....Seen several large grass carp and only discovered one common carp and he was nice enough to swim right to me almost as if he knew what I was there for, I am proud to say he didn’t make it home for dinner that night. In the 3 hours that my buddy and I were in the water we seen countless bass and the ever popular northern pike minnow. If anyone is on the hunt for northern pike minnow I can with 100% certainty say that Daroga State Park is the place to go. The fish I seen in that area were aggressively feeding on small bait fish and several times throughout the day I found that the small bait fish were schooling around me and my buddy. The northern pike minnow's were attacking at high speed and were picking off the poor little minnows around my fins but the fish closer to my head seemed to be safe it was incredibly fun to watch the feeding frenzy. The bass we had seen were extremely skittish and once they noticed us they were gone, they were all in the 2 to 3 pound range and were almost all holding in the edge of the weed beds in around 10-12 feet of water. After realizing that the carp were not going to cooperate with us we headed to Walla Walla Point Park. We dove there for around 3 more hours and spent that time recovering several hundred dollars worth of super baits, large vibrax, assorted spinners, planner boards, flashers, hundreds of feet of snagged lines, bare hooks and lead weights of every size and shape. Other than the gear we recovered, we went face to face with several large salmon and one large steelhead. Among all the rocks we found quite a few crayfish and the suckers were a out in force and seemed to be in large schools.

[crappiemaster]

I don't know about the regs on spearfishing, but if you go to the Paterson Sloughs on the Columbia near Paterson, Wa. There are tons of carp. When the water level of the river drops, some of the backwater of the sloughs become isolated and it is actually kind of neat to see all the ripples they make. There are some 15-20 pounders cruising around. Another place that I was recently at was above Lower Granite Dam on the Snake below Pullman. There is a county park there on the river called Wawawai Park. There is a backwater there that you see lots of carp cruising by. I am not sure what the regs are, but I know you would have a blast there with a bow or speargun!! Good luck.

[geoffwga1]

I don't want to seem to preach but you would probably have a lot more fun if you went after them with rod and line.Once you had your arms tested with a couple of 20 pounders you would never be interested in bass again.OK so I'm exaggerating a little,but it is really time we all stopped regarding carp as trash fish and recognized them for what they are,a really tough,challenging quarry and probably the largest and most powerful fish most people are ever likely to catch.Having said that,each to his own thing there are plenty of carp here so a few won't be missed but a fish that is held in almost holy regard by half the world is not a trash fish.If you want to know how go to the carp anglers group site.
Good Hunting.Baitrunner.

[Little D]

I don't want to seem to preach but you would probably have a lot more fun if you went after them with rod and line.Once you had your arms tested with a couple of 20 pounders you would never be interested in bass again.OK so I'm exaggerating a little,but it is really time we all stopped regarding carp as trash fish and recognized them for what they are,a really tough,challenging quarry and probably the largest and most powerful fish most people are ever likely to catch.Having said that,each to his own thing there are plenty of carp here so a few won't be missed but a fish that is held in almost holy regard by half the world is not a trash fish.If you want to know how go to the carp anglers group site.
Good Hunting.Baitrunner.

Well now that we have both sides represented. I am not a huge fan of carp, which being said I do understand that the world and many fisherman hold carp in high regards. I am doing my spear fishing with a pole spear (Hawaiian sling) not a spear gun. Don’t get me wrong if I had the funds to play with I would love to have all the fancy and pricey toys. As far as the sporting aspect of spear fishing the carp, I would venture to say that swimming for 6+ hours in a current carrying a spear and diving while holding your breath is more than just an arm workout. It is for sure the most active and exhilarating fishing I have done in a long time. It’s not a game of pricey electronics, boats or hundreds of dollars in tackle. The big draw of this style of fishing to me is that the fish is at a huge advantage, and believe it or not that’s the truth. Imagine putting on a set of fins a mask and snorkel and then attempting to be stealthy enough to sneak up on a fish UNDERWATER! Another huge benefit that i have discovered while doing this, I get to see the fish and their habits whether it be carp, bass, salmon, walleye, suckers and catfish. Besides seeing the fish i get to see the cover they're using and what is actually looks like. It’s an amazing feeling when you accomplish the task you set out to.......Oh and when I discover a large pile of snagged lures and baits it’s like winning a fishing lottery.

[Fish On!]

Hey that's great you are out exploring the water world that most don't see. It's great way to learn about fish that will educate you far more than surface fishing. Potholes Res. has many areas that hold carp. The N side off M Rd across from the Dam is thick with carp. May-June when the lake level starts to drop there's often times potholes that get isolated that are full of carp. Try hand catching a 25 lb carp in knee deep water for a good time.....

Long Lake and many in the Seeps Lk area near Othello have carp. Look at a map and follow the Potholes Canal downstream from Banks Lk and there will be plenty of carp. Banks Lk is loaded with carp too. There's a WDFW access site on Banks Lk just past Steamboat Rock SP that is full with carp. The side section off the main Banks Lk is crystal clear in Spring, so would be an awesome spot to dive. I've heard about people diving at the N. end of Billy Clap Lk near the waterfall, but it's very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Once the canal is shut down at Banks Lk, usually about late Oct. it's safe. The actual canal is full of carp too as well as the side lakes. You're not allowed in the canal till the water is shut off. All the carp get trapped in pools or migrate to the side lakes or into the Bacon Tunnels. I was told you can access the tunnels after the water is shut off, but I haven't had the nerve to do that. Diving that with a light and sling would be super creepy, but very cool.

[Little D]

Hey that's great you are out exploring the water world that most don't see. It's great way to learn about fish that will educate you far more than surface fishing. Potholes Res. has many areas that hold carp. The N side off M Rd across from the Dam is thick with carp. May-June when the lake level starts to drop there's often times potholes that get isolated that are full of carp. Try hand catching a 25 lb carp in knee deep water for a good time.....

Long Lake and many in the Seeps Lk area near Othello have carp. Look at a map and follow the Potholes Canal downstream from Banks Lk and there will be plenty of carp. Banks Lk is loaded with carp too. There's a WDFW access site on Banks Lk just past Steamboat Rock SP that is full with carp. The side section off the main Banks Lk is crystal clear in Spring, so would be an awesome spot to dive. I've heard about people diving at the N. end of Billy Clap Lk near the waterfall, but it's very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Once the canal is shut down at Banks Lk, usually about late Oct. it's safe. The actual canal is full of carp too as well as the side lakes. You're not allowed in the canal till the water is shut off. All the carp get trapped in pools or migrate to the side lakes or into the Bacon Tunnels. I was told you can access the tunnels after the water is shut off, but I haven't had the nerve to do that. Diving that with a light and sling would be super creepy, but very cool.

Just wanted to clarify what type of diving I am doing. My gear consists of a set of fins, a mask and snorkel and a 5 1/2' pole spear. No scuba tanks, my dives last as long as I can hold my breath. Oh and no boat just human power, and for all those thinking about the safety of it I never go alone. I have been wanting to scope out banks for a while now. I suppose with the lake being drawn down so far now would be a great time. If anyone has any idea of where the carp might be at in the lake let me know. The reason I am asking for specific locations is because believe it or not its not as easy as it might seem to swim all day long carrying a spear. So if I can get in the water near the fish its better.

[Teal101]

Went to Daroga State Park....Seen several large grass carp and only discovered one common carp and he was nice enough to swim right to me almost as if he knew what I was there for, I am proud to say he didn’t make it home for dinner that night. In the 3 hours that my buddy and I were in the water we seen countless bass and the ever popular northern pike minnow. If anyone is on the hunt for northern pike minnow I can with 100% certainty say that Daroga State Park is the place to go. The fish I seen in that area were aggressively feeding on small bait fish and several times throughout the day I found that the small bait fish were schooling around me and my buddy. The northern pike minnow's were attacking at high speed and were picking off the poor little minnows around my fins but the fish closer to my head seemed to be safe it was incredibly fun to watch the feeding frenzy. The bass we had seen were extremely skittish and once they noticed us they were gone, they were all in the 2 to 3 pound range and were almost all holding in the edge of the weed beds in around 10-12 feet of water. After realizing that the carp were not going to cooperate with us we headed to Walla Walla Point Park. We dove there for around 3 more hours and spent that time recovering several hundred dollars worth of super baits, large vibrax, assorted spinners, planner boards, flashers, hundreds of feet of snagged lines, bare hooks and lead weights of every size and shape. Other than the gear we recovered, we went face to face with several large salmon and one large steelhead. Among all the rocks we found quite a few crayfish and the suckers were a out in force and seemed to be in large schools.

Good on ya for clearing out all the salmon gear there! Lots of suckers in the Columbia for sure. For Carp in the river try down by Crescent bar, although the boat traffic may be a bit much.

[Fish On!]

Yes, I saw what type of gear you were using. I've always had mask, snorkel, fins along on my camping/fishing trips. All the places I mentioned would be fine for free diving. Amazing what you can find out there under water!.... I heard about Banks, but haven't been over there this year. Barker Flats on the N. end of the lake is full of carp, but may be dry now? Water is about 5-10 ft. deep for about a mile out. How much was Banks drawn down?

[Little D]

Yes, I saw what type of gear you were using. I've always had mask, snorkel, fins along on my camping/fishing trips. All the places I mentioned would be fine for free diving. Amazing what you can find out there under water!.... I heard about Banks, but haven't been over there this year. Barker Flats on the N. end of the lake is full of carp, but may be dry now? Water is about 5-10 ft. deep for about a mile out. How much was Banks drawn down?

Banks is down the lowest I have ever seen it. I think there is only one boat launch that even touches water now. The marina is bone dry, and the lake near the highway where the damn is mearly a group of ponds but the good thing is you get to see the structure that is out there.

[cgrenier]

Old thread but I'm sure someone is looking. I grew up right next to Banks
I bowfish there all the time, I know a of a few good spots to spearfish. I'm new to the sport and just looking for more options

[jbball50]

The spillway that connects Moses Lake to Potholes in April should be full of carp. You just have to take the ORV road to get there.

[Dan Boone]

Spearfishing sounds like a blast. To bad I can't swim!

[Bodofish]

And you fish on the river? Sounds to me like you better your rear over to the local pool and learn. There is no excuse for not knowing how to swim.

[Kfedka]

The east end of Osborn Bay on Banks Lake is full of Carp in the summer and very little to no boat traffic. Is spear-gun fishing legal in the state of WA for Carp and only Carp?

[Dan Boone]

The east end of Osborn Bay on Banks Lake is full of Carp in the summer and very little to no boat traffic. Is spear-gun fishing legal in the state of WA for Carp and only Carp?

It's the only freshwater fish it's legal for. They do have saltwater spearfishing seasons for lingcod that I know of.