Diving Rules and Regulations

First and Foremost:

"No person shall dive in any waters of this state unless he holds a valid certificate from an accredited scuba diving school or is in the company of a certified scuba diving instructor."

Spearfishing:

(0) 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) Causey Reservoir, Deer Creek Reservoir, Fish Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Joe's Valley Reservoir, Ken's Lake, Lost Creek, Red Fleet Reservoir, Steinaker Reservoir, Starvation Reservoir, and Willard Bay Reservoir are open to taking game fish by means of underwater spearfishing from June 1 through September 30, 2001. These are the only waters open to underwater spearfishing for game fish.

(4) The bag and possession limit is two game fish. No more than one lake trout (mackinaw) greater than 20 inches may be taken at Fish Lake. At Flaming Gorge Reservoir only one lake trout (mackinaw) greater than 28 inches may be taken.

(5) Nongame fish may be taken by spearfishing only in the waters listed above, with the exception of carp, which can be speared in almost all diveable waters. (Some waters are closed to carp spearfishing.)

UtahDiving.com's comments: With a fishing license, you can spearfish in the lakes listed above. Elsewhere you can spear only carp. Starting in 2001, this is a big improvement from previously, when only 4 lakes were open to spearfishing. The season has also been extended by 4 weeks in the fall, so we can fish as the water "turns over," bringing trout up to the shore. This is a great victory for Utah's divers, made possible largely through the efforts of divers in Vernal. Thanks, guys! The DWR does listen, so if you want to see additional lakes added, or extensions on the season, make your views known!

Crayfish:

(1) A person possessing a valid Utah fishing or combination license may take crayfish for personal, noncommercial purposes during the open fishing season set for the given body of water.

(2) Crayfish may be taken by hand or with a trap, liftnet, handline, pole or seine, provided that:
     (a) game fish or their parts, or any substance unlawful for angling, is not used for bait.
     (b) seines shall not exceed 10 feet in length or width
     (c) no more than five lines are used
     (d) live crayfish are NOT transported from the body of water where taken

UtahDiving.com's comments: Grab all the crawdaddies you want, but you need a fishing license. And you have to cook or kill the bugs before you leave the lake. We recommend boiling with lemon and dill. The kids love them with BBQ sauce. (Note: Putting live crawdads into the fountains behind BYU's administration building is illegal, and we condemn anyone who suggests it would be funny. We especially don't think it would be amusing to paint a little red "U" on each crawdad's back. And by the way, we don't recommend putting carp in BYU's fountains, either.)

Dive Flag:

(0) 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.

(1) A scuba diver shall display a diver's flag prior to diving activity and shall dive and surface in close proximity to the flag.

(2) No person shall place a diver's flag on the waters of this state unless diving activity is in progress in that area.

(3) If a diver's flag is placed after sunset or before sunrise, it shall be lighted.

(4) No person shall place a diver's flag in any area where boating activity might be unduly restricted.

(5) No scuba diver shall dive in a congested boating or fishing area such as narrow channels, launching or docking areas, or near reservoir outlets.

(6) 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.

UtahDiving.com's comments: Use some sense about where you dive, and when you dive. As a rule, the Utah public is totally clueless about the meaning of a dive flag. Jet skiers either ignore your dive flag, use it as a barrel-racing turn, or pick it up, because most "personal watercraft" are driven by brainless teenagers. For wide-ranging shallow dives, we recommend you clip a dive-flag float to your BC with a length of cord, so the dive flag goes where you go. (Be sure to use a break-away attachment for safety.)