Utah State Rules & Regulations  2008
       Diving
           Lake Powell info
           Spearfishing page
           Fish Gallery
           Crayfish
           Records
           Identification  (be patient - this one is big)
           Endangered Species
           Definitions

Please follow the following rules and regulations to keep us all out of trouble. And remember, If there is a question of specifics -- Whatever the officer on site says is probably the law.  It is easier to argue the fact after your vacation - not during it. Thank you,  Michael

"All divers must display an approved Dive Flag while divers are in the water."

Spear fishing:

*.    A valid Utah fishing license is required for underwater spearfishing.
1.    Underwater spearfishing is permitted from official sunrise to official sunset.
2.    Use of artificial light is unlawful while underwater spearfishing.
3.      Free Shafting is prohibited while engaged in underwater spearfishing.

5.    Lake Powell is open to taking carp and striped bass by means of underwater spearfishing from January 1 through
       December 31, 2008  Striped Bass - NO limit

           Lake Powell, is the ONLY body of water in Utah that is open to year-round spearfishing for stripers!

6.    Carp may be taken from any water open to angling during the open angling season.
                    General season dates - January 1st 2008 through December 31st 2008.

                    The following waters are open for underwater spearfishing of carp.

       San Juan River, Colorado River, Green River (from confluence with Colorado River upstream to Colorado
       state line in Dinosaur National Monument), Green River (from Colorado state line in Brown's Park upstream to
       Flaming Gorge Dam, including Gorge Creek (a tributary entering the Green River at Little Hole), White River (Uintah County),
       Duchesne River (from Myton SR-40 bridge) to confluence with Green River, Virgin River (main stem, North and
       East Forks), Ash Creek, Beaver Dam Wash, Fort Pierce Wash, La Verkin Creek, Santa Clara River (Pine Valley
       Reservoir downstream to the confluence with the Virgin River), Diamond Fork, Thistle Creek, Main Canyon Creek
       (tributary to Wallsburg Creek), South Fork of Provo River (below Deer Creek Dam) and Snake Valley waters (west
       and north of US-6 and that part of US-6 and US-50 in Millard and Juab counties).

         Lawfully taken nongame fish shall either be released or killed immediately upon removing them from the water,
        however, they may not be abandoned on the shoreline.  I must add, nor left abandoned on the surface of the body of water.

       *  Chumming is only allowed for taking striped bass. ONLY commercially prepared anchovies and sardines may be used for chumming.
       *  Carp and striped bass may be taken by means of underwater spearfishing January 1 through December 31, 2008. 
           No limit on striped bass via underwater spearfishing.
       *  Carp may be taken by archery equipment January 1 through December 31, 2008.
       *  Archery and spearfishing is prohibited within:
            (a)  1/4 mile of all existing developed areas, including shoreline campgrounds, docks, launch ramps, breakwaters and trail heads;
            (b)  1/4 mile of any structure,  "Structure" includes any building, shed, pump-out, boat dock, breakwater, permanent harbor fixture,
                    camper, motor home, trailer, tent, or vehicle;
            (c)  Rainbow Bridge National Monument;
            (d)  1/4 mile of Dangling Rope Marina, including any land or harbor based structures;
            (e)  100 yards (300 feet) of any boats, unless:
                      (i)   The person owns, rents, leases, or lawfully occupies the boat, or;
                      (ii)   Another boat moves into the 100 yard perimeter after the bow or spearfishing activity has commenced.
                                       *      Gamefish per day is the same as anglers limits
                                       **    Striped bass no limit
                                       ***  Carp no limit

**********************************************************************



Utah Game and Fish is encouraging the taking of Burbot (a relation to Lingcod) from Flaming Gorge

**********************************************************************

You can find RAC meeting for additional agendas here

 email

Gather all the crawfish you want, but you need a fishing license. And you have to cook or kill the crayfish before you leave the lake. We recommend boiling with lemon and dill. The kids love them with BBQ sauce.

Dive Flag:
A.  A square, red flag with a white diagonal stripe from one top corner to the opposite bottom
      corner should be used to indicate the presence of a diver below.
B.  A scuba diver shall display a diver's flag prior to diving activity and shall dive and surface in
     close proximity to the flag.
C.  No person shall place a diver's flag on the waters of this state unless diving activity is in
      progress in that area.
D.  If a diver's flag is placed after sunset or before sunrise, it shall be lighted.
E.  No person shall place a diver's flag in any area where boating activity might be unduly
     restricted.
F.  No scuba diver shall dive in a congested boating or fishing area such as narrow channels,
      launching or docking areas, or near reservoir outlets.
G.  The operator of any vessel shall not approach within 150 feet of a posted diver's flag, unless
      the vessel is part of the equipment in use by the divers.

Use some sense about where you dive, and when you dive. The Utah boating public is getting better but, some boat operators, jet ski operators and water skiers are unknowing of the meaning of a dive flag.  Jet skiers especially, either ignore the dive flag, use it as a slalom turn, or pick it up, because most of them have not been introduced to our State Parks officers in Uintah County (Zero tolerance is observed here). For wide ranging shallow dives, we recommend you clip a dive flag float to your BC with a length of cord (with a break-away attachment for safety) so the dive flag goes where you go.

Disclaimer:  Atlantis Divers®, it's associates and Michael Weyland DO NOT validate the accuracy of the above information. It is up to YOU to insure you are within the State of Utah's fishing and boating laws and regulations.

Thank you,
Michael

email

                                                                                  This segment - Brought to you by

OMER ATOLL DIVERS FLOAT