PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission is proposing to open up game fish spearing statewide. The proposal was made as a result of an outside petition received from spearfishermen. The Commission will consider adoption of the proposal at their Dec. 11-12 meeting in Fort Pierre.

The Commission proposed the following rule amendments for game fish spearing for 2015:

Allow spearing and bowfishing of all game fish species (except paddlefish and sturgeon) in all inland waters.
Establish a year-round game fish spearing and bowfishing season.
Make game fish spearing and bowfishing regulations on boundary waters match those of adjoining states.
"No inland waters are exempt from the current Commission proposal, meaning spearing and bowfishing for all species (except paddlefish and sturgeon) could occur in all inland waters including urban fisheries, small impoundments, trout streams and large lakes and reservoirs," stated John Lott, GFP administrative chief for fisheries. "Harvest of game fish by spearers and bowfishers is not a biological issue. It is a social issue."

Currently, the following regulations pertain to game fish spearing on inland waters:

-Game fish spearing and bowfishing season is open from June 15 to March 15, inclusive.
-Waters open to the spearing and bowfishing of game fish (except sturgeon and paddlefish) during the established spearing season in 2014 included:Lake Oahe; Portions of Lakes Sharpe and Francis Case; Angostura and Belle Fourche reservoirs.
-Spearing and bowfishing of northern pike was open in all inland lakes in 2014, except those managed for muskies, during the June 15 - March 15 game fish spearing season. As of last week, the Commission finalized that for 2015, the spearing and bowfishing of northern pike and catfish in all inland lakes (except those managed for muskies and areas of the Missouri River system closed to game fish spearing) and the Grand River immediately below Shadehill Reservoir, is allowed year-round. The Commission also added Shadehill reservoir to the list of waters open during the June 15 - March 15 game fish spearing season.

"By proposing a statewide, year-round season for spearing and bowfishing of game fish, the Commission has provided the public an opportunity to comment on how much spearing and bowfishing opportunity for game fish there should be," concluded Lott.

The GFP Commission will act on this proposal Dec. 11-12 at the Fort Pierre Holiday Inn Express in Fort Pierre. Written comments on this proposal can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or emailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us orgfpadminrules@state.sd.us. To be included in the public record, comments must be received by 12 p.m. CST on Dec. 11 and include a full name and city of residence. A public hearing before the Commission will be held for those who want to publically comment at 2 p.m. CST at the Fort Pierre Holiday Inn Express on Dec. 11.