Tournaments
Lake Michigan offers an expansive Great Lakes environment with wide open horizons, sandy beaches, rocky breakwalls, and deep, cold freshwater. Visibility can be excellent, often ranging from 20 to 50 feet, though it varies with wind, waves, and sediment shifts. Water temperatures stay cooler than most inland lakes, typically running from the mid-40s to mid-50s in spring and reaching the mid-60s or low-70s in late summer near the surface. Divers may encounter lake trout, salmon, steelhead, brown trout, smallmouth bass, perch, and freshwater drum. These species occupy rocky reefs, drop-offs, and open-water zones, providing a challenging big-water spearfishing environment.
Beaver Lake in Arkansas features forested shorelines, rolling hills, and clear, deep water that create a classic Ozark setting for spearfishing. Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 30 feet, improving in calmer coves and deeper sections. Water temperatures usually run from the low-60s in spring to the mid-70s or low-80s in summer. Divers can expect to encounter largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, and carp. These species occupy rocky points, timber-filled coves, and open-water channels, offering a varied and challenging environment for tournament competitors.
Lake Powell offers striking scenery, with towering red sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and expansive blue water creating a dramatic desert backdrop. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 40 feet, depending on wind and boat activity. Water temperatures run from the mid-60s in spring to the high-70s or low-80s in summer, remaining cooler at depth. Divers will encounter striped bass, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, and carp. These species populate rocky points, submerged ledges, and open-water zones, giving competitors a diverse and dynamic environment for spearfishing.
The Starvation Tournament in Duchesne, UT, highlights spearfishing for walleye and carp, with occasional trout. Held in clear, shallow waters post-spawn, it’s a fun event offering camping and camaraderie. Spearos are urged to respect walleye populations by avoiding large breeding females, as studies show walleye over 26.25” are 99% female.
