Florida is one of the best states in the country for bowfishing, and for good reason. With thousands of lakes and rivers, hundreds of miles of coastline, and a thriving population of invasive fish species, the Sunshine State gives bowfishers more targets and more water than almost anywhere else in the US.
But before you string up your bow and hit the water, you need to know the rules. Florida’s bowfishing regulations cover everything from which species you can legally shoot to where and when you can do it — and the penalties for getting it wrong are real. This guide breaks down the bowfishing laws in Florida so you can fish confidently and legally.
Is Bowfishing Legal in Florida
Bowfishing is legal in Florida, but knowing the specific rules and regulations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is essential. These rules include a list of prohibited species for harvest and restrictions on where and when you can bowfish.
According to the FWC, bowfishing is considered a form of spearing — which includes bows, gigs, and spearguns used to harvest fish by piercing. That classification matters, because it means bowfishing falls under both freshwater and saltwater spearing regulations depending on where and what you’re targeting.
Bowfishing in Florida is an exciting and rewarding sport, but it comes with responsibilities. When you follow the law and practice ethical harvesting, you’re helping to protect Florida’s waterways, maintain public trust, and preserve the sport for future generations.
Important Note: Florida’s FWC can update regulations throughout the year. Always verify the most current rules at myfwc.com before heading out, especially for size limits and bag limits that change seasonally.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Florida
Florida separates its freshwater fish into two categories — game fish and nongame fish — and that distinction determines what you can legally target with a bow. In saltwater, a different prohibited species list applies.
Legal Freshwater Species
Bowfishing in freshwater is allowed, but only for nongame fish species. Nongame freshwater fish include bowfin, common carp, catfish, pickerel, eels, gar (other than alligator gar), threadfin shad, gizzard shad, shiners, tilapia (Nile perch), killifish, suckers, topminnows, and fishes not listed as freshwater game fish and not taken for sport.
Some of the most popular freshwater targets include:
- Common Carp — Common carp are often a primary target for bowfishers due to their prevalence in Florida waters. They are considered an invasive species and can be found in many freshwater habitats.
- Tilapia — One of the top targets when bowfishing in Florida, tilapia is a similar creature to carp. They’re just as invasive and also provide tasty meat, so you and the environment benefit from targeting them. You can target them during the day year-round in lakes and rivers across Florida.
- Freshwater Drum — Also known as gaspergou, freshwater drum are legal to bowfish in Florida and can be found in various freshwater environments.
- Gar — Longnose gar and Florida gar are legal targets. Note that alligator gar is regulated separately and has its own rules.
- Catfish — Legal to bowfish in freshwater and a popular target once you’ve developed your technique.
Prohibited Freshwater Species
Freshwater game fish — including black bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, flier, mud sunfish, longear sunfish, shadow bass, peacock bass, white bass, striped bass, and sunshine bass — may not be taken using bow and arrow or crossbow and arrow.
Grass carp is also prohibited. If you’re on the water and unsure whether a fish is a protected game species, the safest move is to leave it alone.
Legal and Prohibited Saltwater Species
Saltwater fish that you can bowfish in Florida include a variety of species, such as sheepshead, black drum, southern stingray, cownose ray, flounder, jack crevalle, cobia, mullet, and mangrove snapper, among others.
Bowfishing is prohibited for the following saltwater species: billfish (all species), spotted eagle ray, sturgeon, manta ray, sharks, bonefish, tarpon, goliath grouper, snook, blue crab, Nassau grouper, spotted seatrout, red drum, weakfish, stone crab, pompano, African pompano, permit, tripletail, lobster, and families of ornamental reef fish (surgeonfish, trumpetfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, porcupinefish, cornetfish, squirrelfish, trunkfish, damselfish, parrotfish, pipefish, seahorse, puffers, and triggerfish, except gray and ocean triggerfish).
Pro Tip: If you’re new to the sport, it’s best to avoid targeting any fish if you’re not sure of its size — this is especially true for redfish. Most anglers say “If you don’t know, don’t!”
Bowfishing License Requirements in Florida
You need a fishing license to bowfish in Florida. Even though you are taking fish with a bow and arrow, it is still considered fishing by the state, and you need a license if you want to do it legally. All you need is a freshwater or saltwater fishing license depending on what type of water you’re fishing in.
In Florida, anyone age 16 to 64 is required to have a valid fishing license to fish in either freshwater or saltwater, unless exempt. Children under 16 and residents 65 and older are generally exempt from the license requirement.
Which License Do You Need?
Bowfishers must hold a valid freshwater fishing license when pursuing freshwater species and a saltwater fishing license for saltwater species, unless exempt from license requirements.
Choosing between freshwater and saltwater isn’t always about the water itself. Whether you need a freshwater or a saltwater fishing license depends on what species you are targeting, not how salty the water is. If you are targeting snook upriver in fresh water, you’ll need a saltwater fishing license. If you’re targeting largemouth bass in a saltmarsh, you’ll need a freshwater fishing license.
You can purchase a combo license if you are a Florida resident and plan to fish for both saltwater and freshwater species. As of the most recent FWC fee schedule, an Annual Resident Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing Combination license is $32.50.
Where to Buy Your License
Licenses and permits can be bought at the FWC website, the Tax Collector’s office, places such as sporting goods stores, hunting and fishing equipment retailers, or by calling 1-888-486-8356. You can also purchase online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Additional Permits
License requirements for bowfishing are the same as those for other methods of fishing. Other permits may be required to access the area where you plan to fish, such as management areas.
If you’re planning to bowfish for certain species in saltwater, be aware that Florida has a few special licenses or permits you need when targeting certain species, including snook, lobster, tarpon, reef fish, or when shore-based shark fishing. Since snook and tarpon are on the prohibited bowfishing list, these special permits are mainly relevant if you’re targeting other regulated saltwater species. Always check myfwc.com/license for the latest requirements before your trip.
Key Insight: A fishing or hunting license is required to be with you when you are engaged in the licensed activity. Keep a digital or physical copy accessible while you’re on the water.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Florida
Florida law defines what gear is and isn’t permitted for bowfishing, and understanding those boundaries keeps you on the right side of FWC officers.
Approved Gear
During daylight hours, nongame fish may be taken by manually operated spears, gigs, snatch hooks, crossbow, or bow and arrow from a boat or from shore. This means both traditional recurve bows and compound bows are legal, as are crossbows. Standard bowfishing setups — a bow fitted with a fishing reel, heavy braided line, and a barbed bowfishing arrow — are all permitted.
The optimal draw weight for bowfishing typically falls within the 30–40 pound range. Nonetheless, a slightly higher or lower draw weight can also be effective for catching fish.
Prohibited Gear
Freshwater fish may not be taken by use of any free-floating, unattached device, or by taking of fish or wildlife with firearms, explosives, electricity, spear gun, poison, or other chemicals. The taking of fish by underwater swimming or diving is also prohibited.
In saltwater, additional restrictions apply. The use of powerheads, bangsticks, and rebreathers remains prohibited.
The Bow-on-Boat Rule
It is illegal to possess any freshwater fish along with gear that cannot legally be used to take freshwater fish. This means you can’t have game fish and a bow on the boat at the same time. If you’re keeping legally caught game fish from an earlier rod-and-reel session, make sure your bowfishing gear is stowed or you’ve finished with your game fish before switching activities.
Common Mistake: Carrying a bow and legally caught game fish (like largemouth bass) on the same boat at the same time is a violation — even if you didn’t shoot the bass. Keep your activities separate or leave the game fish at the dock before bowfishing.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Florida
Florida gives bowfishers access to an enormous variety of water, but certain locations are off-limits or carry special restrictions you need to know about.
Where You Can Bowfish
Most of Florida’s public freshwater bodies — including lakes, rivers, canals, and ponds — are open to bowfishing for nongame species. Florida’s Nature Coast is a bow fisher’s dream, especially the Crystal River and Homosassa area. The seven main spring-fed rivers leading to the Gulf of Mexico are fertile bowfishing grounds, teeming with fresh and saltwater species.
With three sides of the Sunshine State bordering saltwater, it’s no surprise that sea bowfishing is popular in Florida. From the Panhandle to the Everglades and back up the Space Coast, there’s plenty for you to target.
Restricted and Off-Limits Locations
Nongame fish may be taken during daylight hours by bow and arrow from a boat or from shore, except at the spillways of the Eureka and Rodman dams on the Oklawaha River, the spillway of the Jim Woodruff Dam on the Apalachicola River, or in Dade County canals south of the C-4 and east of the L-31N and L-31W canals inclusively.
Bowfishing is also prohibited within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, any commercial or public fishing pier, or any part of a bridge from which public fishing is allowed.
Possession or use of a bow or crossbow may be prohibited in some areas such as parks, refuges, and sanctuaries, and during certain seasons when such gear is not allowed in the area. Check with the managing entity before accessing the area where you plan to fish with a bow.
Certain areas, such as springs and sanctuaries, may have restrictions on bowfishing, and equipment should meet FWC standards.
| Location Type | Bowfishing Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public lakes and rivers | Yes (nongame fish only in freshwater) | Standard FWC rules apply |
| Saltwater inshore flats | Yes (non-prohibited species) | Size and bag limits apply |
| Oklawaha River dam spillways | No | Eureka and Rodman dams restricted |
| Apalachicola River (Jim Woodruff Dam spillway) | No | Restricted by FWC rule |
| Dade County canals (south of C-4, east of L-31N/L-31W) | No | Daytime bow use prohibited |
| Within 100 yards of public swimming beaches | No | Applies to all spearing methods |
| State parks, refuges, sanctuaries | Varies | Check with managing entity |
You should also be aware that Florida’s wildlife removal laws intersect with bowfishing in certain protected areas, particularly when it comes to handling invasive species in managed lands.
Night Bowfishing Rules in Florida
Night bowfishing is one of the most popular ways to pursue the sport in Florida, and the state explicitly permits it — with a few specific rules attached.
What’s Allowed at Night
At night, nongame fish may be taken by bow and arrow and gigs. Using a bow and light at night is also permitted. This means you can legally run a boat equipped with submersible lights or above-water flood lights to illuminate the water and locate fish — a standard and widely used technique.
Nighttime can be the most effective time to target flounder, for example. Use your lights to find them on the sea bed, and fire away. Hit the inshore flats as shallow as 2–4 feet for the best results.
Night Bowfishing Tournaments
Night bowfishing tournaments do not require a permit in the Northwest Region. If you’re organizing or joining a tournament outside of the Northwest Region, check with your regional FWC office to confirm whether any additional permits or notifications are needed.
Night Fishing Safety and Best Practices
While Florida law doesn’t impose a separate nighttime license or curfew for bowfishing, general boating safety laws still apply after dark. Your vessel must display the proper navigation lights, and all passengers should wear personal flotation devices. It’s also worth noting that you should always check with FWC for posted signage or local ordinances, as regional restrictions may vary.
Pro Tip: Flounder, rays, and tilapia are all more active and easier to spot at night in shallow water. Plan your outings around calm, clear nights for the best visibility and the most productive shooting.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Florida
Saltwater bowfishing in Florida operates under a separate set of rules from freshwater, and the FWC takes enforcement seriously. Understanding the saltwater-specific regulations is critical before you head out on coastal waters.
How Florida Defines Spearing in Saltwater
Spearing is a general term that includes bowfishing, gigging, spearfishing (underwater), or the use of any other device to capture a fish by piercing its body. All of these methods fall under the same regulatory umbrella in saltwater, which means bowfishing is subject to all spearing rules and restrictions.
What You Can Target
Saltwater species, other than those specifically prohibited, may be harvested by bow. Popular legal targets include flounder, mullet, sheepshead, black drum, cobia, jack crevalle, cownose ray, and southern stingray. Flounder is the bread and butter species of saltwater bowfishing in Florida. Just like gigging in Texas, it’s a way of life here, with endless hours of fun ending up with even better prizes.
However, flounder are at risk of overconsumption, so you’ll have to ease off between mid-October and the end of November — the seasonal closure is designed to protect spawning populations.
Size Limits, Bag Limits, and Commercial Rules
There’s a comprehensive list of species that are prohibited to target with a bow. But even those you can target must usually be within certain size limits. Always check the current FWC saltwater size and bag limit tables before targeting any regulated species.
If you plan to harvest large quantities, be aware that there are legal thresholds. The default recreational limit is 2 fish or 100 lbs per person per day (whichever is more). Taking fish in excess of recreational limits is considered commercial fishing, a Saltwater Products License and commercial vessel registration are required, and it is illegal to sell recreationally harvested fish.
Prohibited Saltwater Species — Full List
Bowfishing is prohibited for the following saltwater species: billfish (all species), spotted eagle ray, sturgeon, manta ray, sharks, bonefish, tarpon, goliath grouper, snook, blue crab, Nassau grouper, spotted seatrout, red drum, weakfish, stone crab, pompano, African pompano, permit, tripletail, lobster, and families of ornamental reef fish. That ornamental reef fish category covers surgeonfish, angelfish, parrotfish, seahorses, puffers, and many others — essentially any brightly colored reef species you’d typically see in an aquarium.
Spearfishing Restrictions That Also Apply to Bowfishing
The use of any hand or mechanically propelled, single or multi-pronged spear or lance to harvest any marine species while diving in freshwater is prohibited. Spearfishing for mullet in freshwater is also prohibited. This matters for bowfishers targeting mullet — you can legally shoot them in saltwater, but not in a freshwater environment.
Florida’s Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations are published twice a year to keep anglers informed of the most current regulations, including bag and size limits. Make it a habit to check the updated regulations booklet or the FWC spearing regulations page before each saltwater outing.
Important Note: Red drum (redfish) and spotted seatrout are two of the most commonly misidentified species in Florida’s inshore waters. Both are strictly prohibited for bowfishing. If you’re not sure of a fish’s identity, the safest approach is to pass on the shot.
Florida’s bowfishing laws are detailed, but once you understand the core framework — nongame only in freshwater, a long prohibited list in saltwater, a standard fishing license for both, and location-specific restrictions — you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy the sport legally. Always verify current regulations at myfwc.com before heading out, since rules and bag limits can change between seasons. If you’re exploring other Florida outdoor and animal regulations, you may also find it useful to review Florida’s pet laws and wildlife removal laws for a broader picture of how the state manages its natural resources.