Spearfishing Laws in Indiana: What You Can Target, Where You Can Go, and How to Stay Legal
June 11, 2026
Spearfishing in Indiana is legal — but only if you know exactly which species, waters, and gear the state permits. Get it wrong and you could be looking at fines, gear confiscation, or worse. Indiana’s rules are more specific than many anglers expect, drawing sharp lines between rough fish and game fish, between lakes and rivers, and between legal spear gear and prohibited methods.
This guide walks you through every layer of Indiana’s spearfishing regulations, from the waters where you can legally drop in to the species you’re allowed to target and the penalties waiting for those who don’t follow the rules. Whether you’re a first-time spearfisher or a seasoned angler exploring a new method, understanding these laws before you enter the water is non-negotiable.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Indiana
Yes, spearfishing is legal in Indiana — but with significant limitations on where and what you can target. Spearfishing is legal throughout most of the state, although there are restrictions that must be followed. The state does not issue a blanket ban on the practice, but it tightly controls which species may be taken by spear, which water bodies allow it, and what types of spear equipment are permitted under Indiana Administrative Code Title 312.
Indiana is a landlocked state, so all spearfishing here takes place in freshwater environments — rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The regulations are built around protecting game fish populations while allowing spearfishers to target rough fish and certain invasive species. This distinction between game fish and non-game fish is the single most important concept for any Indiana spearfisher to understand before entering the water.
Key Insight: Indiana draws a hard line between rough fish (legal to spear) and game fish (illegal to spear). Targeting the wrong species with a spear or spear gun is a violation regardless of where you fish.
Indiana fishing regulations apply to fish that originate from or are taken from Indiana’s public waters. Fish from public waters that migrate into or from private waters are still covered by these regulations. These regulations do not apply to fish in private waters that did not originate from public waters. This means private ponds stocked entirely from non-public sources operate under different rules, but any water body connected to public waters falls under full DNR oversight.
For a broader look at how Indiana regulates outdoor activities and wildlife, you can also review hunting laws in Indiana, which share several enforcement and licensing frameworks with fishing regulations.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Indiana
Indiana is entirely landlocked, which means saltwater spearfishing is simply not applicable here. Every body of water in the state — from the White River to Lake Michigan — is a freshwater environment, and all spearfishing activity falls under Indiana’s freshwater fishing regulations administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
That said, Lake Michigan deserves special attention because it operates under a distinct set of rules compared to Indiana’s inland lakes and rivers. An individual may take a sucker, carp, Asian carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo, or shad by bowfishing equipment or crossbow from Lake Michigan, or by spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, crossbow, or bowfishing equipment from another lake. Notice the difference: on Lake Michigan, spear-type gear (spear guns, underwater spears, gigs) is not listed as a permitted method — only bowfishing equipment and crossbows are authorized for rough fish there.
On rivers and streams, an individual may use bowfishing equipment or a crossbow to take any sucker, carp, Asian carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo, or shad. Spear guns and underwater spears on rivers are limited to specific named waterways under a separate provision of the code (discussed further in the Off-Limits Areas section below).
Important Note: Lake Michigan allows bowfishing and crossbow use for rough fish but does not authorize spear guns or underwater spears. Inland lakes allow the full range of spear gear for rough fish. Rivers and streams have their own specific rules. Always confirm which category your target water falls into before you gear up.
Because Indiana has no saltwater component, spearfishers accustomed to coastal regulations should not assume their experience translates directly. The species, gear rules, and zone restrictions here are entirely freshwater-specific and managed at the state level through Indiana Administrative Code Title 312.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Indiana
Spearfishing in Indiana does not require a special spearfishing permit or endorsement. Spearfishing in Indiana requires a valid fishing license and obeying all other regulations associated with fishing, such as size limits and bag limits. The standard sport fishing license covers all legal fishing methods in the state, including spear-based techniques for authorized species.
Indiana requires a fishing license for anyone age 18 and older who fishes in public waters. This applies to all methods — rod and reel, fly fishing, bowfishing, trotlines, and bank fishing. Spearfishing falls squarely within this requirement. As of the 2026 license year, a resident annual fishing permit costs $23, while non-residents pay $60 for an annual permit. The 2026 license year runs April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Additional license options are available for shorter trips. One-day licenses are $10 (resident) or $15 (non-resident) and include the trout/salmon stamp. If you are only spearfishing for rough fish and not targeting trout or salmon, you do not need the trout/salmon stamp — the base fishing license is sufficient.
| License Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost | Valid Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License | $23 | $60 | April 1 – March 31 |
| One-Day Fishing License | $10 | $15 | Single day only |
| Trout/Salmon Stamp (add-on) | $11 | $11 | Same as base license |
Several groups are exempt from the license requirement. Residents and nonresidents under age 18 are exempt from needing a fishing license. Residents born before April 1, 1943, are also exempt and must carry valid Indiana ID. Residents who are legally blind or have developmental disabilities are exempt. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) can obtain a reduced-fee annual or 10-year Hunting and Fishing license.
You can purchase your license through the Indiana DNR’s GoOutdoorsIN portal online, by phone at (317) 232-4200, or at authorized retailers including bait shops and sporting goods stores. The Division of Fish, Wildlife and Nature Preserves’ Activity Hub completed its first year of serving hunters and anglers after replacing the previous license system in December 2024. Logging in through Access Indiana gives access to license sales, game check-in, HIP registration, donations, and other core functions.
The license must be carried on the person while fishing and shown to a conservation officer upon request. Digital copies on your phone are acceptable. Free Fishing Days — when no license is required — are also designated annually; Indiana DNR announces Free Fishing Days, allowing residents to fish without a license on May 10, June 6–7, and Sept. 26 for the 2026 season, though all other regulations including bag and size limits still apply on those days.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Indiana
The species question is where Indiana’s spearfishing rules are most restrictive — and most consequential. You can bowfish or spearfish invasive (Asian) carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers year-round, day or night. A regular fishing license is required. You cannot bowfish or spearfish game fish like bass, walleye, or crappie.
The Indiana Administrative Code specifically lists the species eligible for spear-based harvest. An individual may, by means of a fish spear, gig, spear gun, or underwater spear, take only any sucker, carp, Asian carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo, or shad from authorized waters. These are all classified as rough fish or non-game species in Indiana.
Here is a breakdown of legal versus prohibited species for spearfishing:
- Legal to spear: Common carp, Asian carp (bighead, silver), suckers (all species), gar (longnose, shortnose, spotted), bowfin (dogfish), buffalo (bigmouth, smallmouth, black), shad (gizzard shad, threadfin shad)
- Prohibited to spear: Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted), walleye, sauger, crappie (black and white), bluegill and sunfish, catfish (channel, flathead, blue), pike, muskellunge, trout and salmon, yellow perch, drum (freshwater)
Pro Tip: Asian carp — including silver carp and bighead carp — are invasive species in Indiana and are actively encouraged to be harvested. Targeting them with a spear or bow is not only legal year-round but beneficial to the ecosystem.
Certain exotic species carry additional rules beyond simply being off-limits to spear. The following fish are illegal to possess alive: bighead carp, black carp, silver carp, round goby, snakehead, walking catfish, Wels catfish, and zebra mussel, among others. If any of these exotic species are taken into possession, they must be killed immediately by either removing their head, removing gills from at least one side of the fish, or gutting. If you accidentally spear one of these prohibited-possession species, you are required by law to kill it rather than release it back into the water.
Understanding Indiana’s wildlife laws more broadly — including rules around wildlife removal in Indiana — can help you stay compliant across multiple outdoor activities in the state.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Indiana
Indiana law specifies which spear-type equipment is permitted, and the rules vary depending on the water body you are fishing. Understanding these distinctions prevents you from carrying illegal gear into the field.
For inland lakes (excluding Lake Michigan), the full range of spear-based equipment is authorized for rough fish. An individual may take a sucker, carp, Asian carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo, or shad by spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, crossbow, or bowfishing equipment from a lake. This means pole spears, Hawaiian slings, spear guns, and underwater spears are all legal tools on inland lakes when targeting authorized species.
For rivers and streams, the authorized gear is more limited. An individual may use bowfishing equipment or a crossbow on rivers and streams to take any sucker, carp, Asian carp, gar, bowfin, buffalo, or shad. Spear guns and underwater spears are not listed as permitted methods for rivers and streams in this general provision — they are only authorized on specific named rivers under a separate code section.
For Lake Michigan, only bowfishing equipment and crossbows are authorized for rough fish. Spear guns and underwater spears are not included in the Lake Michigan provision.
| Water Body Type | Permitted Spear Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inland Lakes | Spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, crossbow, bowfishing equipment | Rough fish only |
| Named Rivers (specific) | Fish spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear | Limited to authorized waterways |
| General Rivers and Streams | Bowfishing equipment, crossbow | Spear guns not listed as permitted |
| Lake Michigan | Bowfishing equipment, crossbow | No spear guns or underwater spears |
Beyond spear gear, Indiana also regulates other equipment you may carry while fishing. Landing nets, gaff hooks, or grab hooks may be used only to assist in the landing of legally caught fish. They may not be used as a method for catching fish. Additionally, an individual may take a sucker, carp, Asian carp, gar, or bowfin with not more than one snare only between sunrise and sunset.
Absolutely prohibited methods include explosives, electrical devices, and chemical agents. Using illegal gear like explosives or poison is far worse than a standard violation. You could face felony charges, massive fines, and possibly jail time. These methods are categorically illegal regardless of the species targeted.
For context on how Indiana regulates other forms of hunting with specialized equipment, see the guide on coyote hunting laws in Indiana, which covers crossbow and archery equipment rules that parallel some spearfishing gear provisions.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Indiana
Even where spearfishing is generally permitted, specific zones and proximity rules can make certain locations off-limits. Knowing these boundaries before you enter the water protects you from violations that have nothing to do with species or gear.
The most significant geographic restriction relates to dams. No fish may be taken within 200 yards of a dam except by fishing pole or hand line. This rule applies statewide and means spearfishing — along with bowfishing and all other non-pole methods — is prohibited within 200 yards of any dam. This is one of the most commonly violated rules because the zone is larger than most anglers expect.
Spearfishing on rivers using spear guns and underwater spears is limited to specific named waterways. The Indiana Administrative Code identifies the West Fork of the White River and certain other designated rivers as locations where spear guns and underwater spears may be used. General rivers and streams not specifically named in the code only permit bowfishing equipment and crossbows for rough fish, not spear guns or underwater spears.
In general, spearfishing is not allowed within 200 feet of public beaches or within 100 feet of any structure in or around a body of water. These proximity restrictions apply to swimming areas, docks, boat ramps, and other water-adjacent structures where public safety concerns are elevated.
Important Note: The 200-yard no-take zone around dams is a hard statewide rule. Even if you are targeting legal rough fish species with legal gear, being within that zone with a spear in hand constitutes a violation.
State nature preserves, fish sanctuaries, and certain DNR-managed conservation areas may impose additional restrictions or outright bans on all fishing methods, including spearfishing. The Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide is not intended to be a complete digest of regulations. If you need complete versions of Indiana rules and regulations for fishing, they can be found in Indiana Code or in Indiana Administrative Code Title 312. Always verify the specific rules for any nature preserve or conservation area before fishing there.
Indiana doesn’t have statewide catch-and-release waters, but some individual lakes and streams have special regulations. Always check the fishing regulations guide for water-specific rules. The eRegulations website at eregulations.com/indiana/fishing provides the official 2026 Indiana DNR Fishing Regulations Guide with water-specific details.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Indiana
Because spearfishing in Indiana is restricted to rough fish, bag limits and size limits are generally more relaxed than those applied to game fish. However, that does not mean there are no limits — and ignoring them carries the same penalties as any other fishing violation.
For most rough fish species that are legal to spear — common carp, suckers, gar, bowfin, buffalo, and shad — Indiana does not impose a statewide daily bag limit or minimum size limit. You can harvest these species year-round, day or night, with no cap on the number taken, provided you are using legal gear in authorized waters. This open-ended harvest is intentional: rough fish are abundant, and in the case of invasive species like Asian carp, aggressive removal is encouraged.
That said, the absence of a statewide limit does not mean no limits exist everywhere. Indiana doesn’t have statewide catch-and-release waters, but some individual lakes and streams have special regulations. Always check the fishing regulations guide for water-specific rules. Some DNR-managed lakes and reservoirs may have site-specific rules that differ from the statewide default.
Pro Tip: Even on free fishing days when no license is required, all bag limits, size limits, and gear restrictions remain fully in effect. The license exemption does not suspend any other regulation.
Possession limits are also worth understanding. Possession limit for all species is two times the daily bag limit. For species with no bag limit, this provision is less relevant — but it underscores that Indiana tracks both what you catch in a day and what you transport or store at home.
A few additional rules govern what you do with fish after the catch. The intentional waste and destruction of fish is prohibited unless the fish is required by law to be killed. Fish must not be mutilated and returned to the water unless the fish is lawfully used as bait. Fish parts, including entrails, must not be discarded into any state waters but should be disposed of in a sanitary manner that does not pollute the water or become detrimental to public health or comfort.
For context on how bag limits and possession rules work across other Indiana outdoor activities, the guide on roadkill laws in Indiana covers related concepts around possession of wild animals taken under state authority.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Indiana
Indiana takes fishing violations seriously, and the consequences for breaking spearfishing rules scale with the severity of the offense. Understanding the penalty structure gives you a clear picture of the stakes involved.
For standard violations — fishing without a license, exceeding bag limits, using prohibited gear, or targeting protected species — the financial penalties are significant. According to Indiana Code 14-22-38-1, individuals caught fishing without a license may face fines up to $500, along with potential court costs. Once a conviction is entered, $139.00 in court costs are automatically assessed. Bag limit violations typically bring fines in the $100 to $500 range depending on the number of fish over the limit and whether it is a first or repeat offense.
Beyond fines, violations can trigger equipment seizure and license revocation. The DNR can revoke your fishing license permanently. Lose it once, and you might never get to fish legally in Indiana again. They can also seize your equipment — your rod, your reel, your boat — which may be sold at auction or destroyed.
The most serious violations involve prohibited methods such as explosives, poisons, or electrical devices. A person who violates this article commits a Class C misdemeanor under the general provision of Indiana Code 14-22-38, but use of truly dangerous or destructive methods can escalate to felony-level charges. Commercial or unauthorized fishing activity carries more severe penalties, including criminal charges.
| Violation Type | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|
| Fishing without a license | Fines up to $500 + $139 court costs |
| Bag limit violation | $100–$500 fine; restitution to state |
| Spearing a prohibited game fish | Class C misdemeanor; fines; possible license revocation |
| Spearing in a no-take zone (e.g., within 200 yards of a dam) | Fines; potential gear confiscation |
| Use of explosives, poison, or electrical devices | Felony charges; large fines; possible jail time |
| Repeat violations | Increased fines; permanent license revocation |
Enforcement is conducted by Indiana DNR conservation officers, who may issue fines on the spot and arrange investigations for more serious offenses. Repeat offenders may face increased scrutiny, including the suspension of fishing privileges. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources can revoke licenses for repeated violations. Offenders may also be required to appear in court, where a judge could impose additional sanctions, such as community service or participation in educational programs on wildlife conservation.
Common Mistake: Anglers sometimes assume that rough fish species have no rules attached to them. In reality, spearing rough fish in the wrong water body, within 200 yards of a dam, or with unauthorized gear is still a violation — even if the species itself is legal to harvest.
If you have questions about a specific water body or situation, contact the Indiana DNR Customer Service Center directly at (317) 232-4200 or (877) 463-6367. The Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide is not intended to be a complete digest of regulations. Complete versions of Indiana rules and regulations for fishing can be found in Indiana Code or in Indiana Administrative Code Title 312. You can also access the official 2026 regulations at the Indiana DNR Fishing Guide and Regulations page.
Staying compliant is straightforward when you know the rules. Target only authorized rough fish species, use gear appropriate for your water body type, stay out of restricted zones, carry your valid fishing license, and always check water-specific regulations before you enter. Indiana’s spearfishing rules are designed to protect game fish populations while giving anglers broad access to rough fish — work within that framework and you’ll have no issues on the water.
For more Indiana-specific animal and wildlife law guides, explore neighbors cat in my yard laws in Indiana, dog bite laws in Indiana, and beekeeping laws in Indiana for related regulatory guidance across the state.