Bowfishing Laws in North Dakota: What You Need to Know Before You Go
July 26, 2026
Bowfishing in North Dakota is a legal and growing pursuit, especially for anglers who want to target rough fish in the state’s rivers, reservoirs, and prairie lakes. Whether you’re shooting carp on the Missouri River in July or hunting northern pike through the ice in January, the Peace Garden State gives bowfishers several distinct seasonal windows to work with. That said, the rules are specific — wrong species, wrong season, or wrong water body can turn a fun outing into a costly citation.
This guide covers everything you need to know about bowfishing laws in North Dakota, based on the 2026-28 Fishing Proclamation issued by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF), which took effect April 1, 2026. Always verify the current rules directly with NDGF before heading out, as regulations can change.
Is Bowfishing Legal in North Dakota?
Yes, bowfishing is legal in North Dakota. Taking or attempting to take fish from North Dakota waters is limited to specific legal methods, which include hook and line fishing, darkhouse spear and bow (archery) fishing, bow (archery) and spearfishing, underwater spearfishing, and paddlefish snagging. Bowfishing falls squarely within these permitted methods.
The state manages bowfishing through its broader fishing proclamation rather than a separate bowfishing-specific regulation. That means your standard fishing license covers the activity, but you still need to follow the season dates, species restrictions, and equipment rules that apply to archery fishing. Wanton waste rules apply — no individual possessing any game fish species may waste, destroy, or abandon edible flesh (fillets).
Pro Tip: North Dakota bowfishing operates across two distinct seasonal windows — open-water archery season (spring through fall) and darkhouse bow season (winter). Each window has different legal species and location rules. Know which one applies before you launch.
If you also enjoy other forms of hunting and fishing in North Dakota, check out the hunting laws in North Dakota and duck hunting laws in North Dakota for a broader picture of what the state permits.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in North Dakota?
The species you can legally shoot depends heavily on which bowfishing season you’re participating in. North Dakota draws a firm line between game fish and nongame fish, and that distinction drives almost every species rule in the state.
Game fish are defined as bluegill, burbot, channel catfish, chinook salmon, crappie (black and white), largemouth bass, muskellunge (pure and tiger hybrid), northern pike, paddlefish, sauger, saugeye, smallmouth bass, sturgeon (pallid, shovelnose, and lake), trout (brown, cutthroat, lake, rainbow, and tiger hybrid), walleye, white bass, yellow perch, and zander. Nongame fish are all other species of fish, other than game fish, that inhabit and reproduce in the waters of the state.
Game fish may not be taken with bow and arrows or spears during the standard open-water archery and spearfishing season. That means common bowfishing targets like common carp (Cyprinus carpio), bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) are all fair game as nongame species, while walleye and northern pike are off-limits during that window.
The winter darkhouse season operates under different rules. Northern pike and nongame fish are the only legal species for darkhouse spear and bow (archery) fishing statewide. For Stump Lake and the Devils Lake complex south of U.S. Highway 2 and the Missouri River System (including Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe and the Missouri River) up to the first tributary bridge, walleye are also legal.
There is also a special salmon archery season. Salmon snagging, bow (archery), and spearing are legal from sunup to sundown, September 25 through October 31 of each fishing year in Lake Sakakawea from the Garrison Dam upstream to the Highway 23 bridge near New Town. The only species that can be taken during the salmon snagging season are salmon and nongame species.
Important Note: Channel catfish received expanded bowfishing access in recent years. As noted in the 2024-2026 proclamation cycle, bowfishers were allowed to take channel catfish in the Missouri River System. Verify current channel catfish rules under the active 2026-28 proclamation at gf.nd.gov before targeting catfish with a bow.
For a comparison of what’s legal across state lines, see the bowfishing laws in North Carolina to understand how neighboring regulations differ.
Bowfishing License Requirements in North Dakota
Bowfishing falls under the standard recreational fishing license in North Dakota — there is no separate bowfishing permit. Anyone aged 16 or older must have a valid North Dakota fishing license to cast a line, and this requirement applies to both residents and visitors.
As of the 2026-28 license cycle, resident annual fishing licenses cost $18, while nonresident annual licenses run $55, with 10-day nonresident permits at $40 and 3-day permits at $25. Residents 65 and older can buy a $5 Senior Combination covering all hunt and fish privileges.
A Fishing, Hunting, and Furbearer Certificate is required to hunt or fish in North Dakota, and you only need to purchase one per year per licensee. This certificate is separate from your fishing license but must be obtained alongside it. An Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) sticker is also required for anyone operating a motorized watercraft, and it helps fund efforts to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic species.
| License Type | Who It Covers | Fee (as of April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing | ND residents age 16+ | $18 |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing | Out-of-state visitors age 16+ | $55 |
| Nonresident 10-Day | Out-of-state visitors | $40 |
| Nonresident 3-Day | Out-of-state visitors | $25 |
| Senior Combination (65+) | ND residents age 65+ | $5 |
Disabled veterans who are North Dakota residents and have a service-connected disability of 50% or more can obtain a fishing license free of charge, and many disabled residents who meet criteria defined by NDGF can also obtain licenses without charge. You can purchase licenses online through the NDGF portal at gf.nd.gov/buy-apply or at approximately 200 agent locations statewide, including bait shops and sporting goods stores.
Free Fishing Days allow residents of North Dakota to fish without a resident fishing license on four designated days each year. For the 2026 cycle, free fishing days fall on June 6-7, 2026, December 26-27, 2026, June 5-6, 2027, and December 26-27, 2027. Note that free fishing days are for residents only and do not apply to paddlefish activities.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in North Dakota
North Dakota’s regulations are specific about what qualifies as legal bowfishing gear. Using the wrong equipment — even accidentally — can result in a violation, so it pays to know exactly what’s permitted.
Legal bowfishing (archery) equipment for licensed anglers is any hand-drawn and released longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, or rubberband-assisted (sling) bow, to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon-style or wire barbed point. This covers the most common bowfishing setups used across the country.
Crossbows are not listed as legal bowfishing equipment under the archery and spearfishing section of North Dakota’s fishing regulations. If you plan to use a crossbow, contact NDGF directly for clarification before heading out. Air-powered bowfishing systems (such as PCP arrow launchers) also fall into a gray area — the safest approach is to not assume airgun bowfishing is legal unless the current regulation clearly allows it or the responsible agency confirms it in writing.
- Longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, and rubberband-assisted (sling) bow are all legal
- Arrows must be attached to the bow by a retrieval line
- Arrow tips must be harpoon-style or equipped with wire barbs
- Crossbows are not explicitly permitted for bowfishing (verify with NDGF)
- Air-powered arrow launchers require direct agency confirmation before use
It is illegal to return fish to the water after they have been shot or speared, and all fish must be used and/or disposed of properly. This is an important rule to keep in mind — once you shoot a fish, you’re committed to keeping it. There is no catch-and-release for bowfishing in North Dakota.
Pro Tip: When bowfishing from a motorized boat at night, make sure your vessel complies with all North Dakota boating regulations, including running lights. The ANS sticker must also be displayed on any motorized watercraft. Visit gf.nd.gov/regulations for boating rules that apply alongside your fishing activity.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in North Dakota
North Dakota has two separate bowfishing seasons, and the waters open to each differ. Understanding which waters are legal for each season is just as important as knowing which species you can target.
Open-Water Archery and Spearfishing Season (May 1 – September 30): Archery and spearfishing have a hard seasonal window running from May 1 through September 30 during open-water conditions. This season is open on most public waters statewide, but certain areas have specific restrictions or closures.
Darkhouse Bow Season (November 15 – March 15): Darkhouse spear and bow fishing is legal from November 15 through March 15 of each fishing year, and all waters open to hook and line fishing are open to darkhouse spear and bow fishing except for a list of specific water bodies. Waters closed to darkhouse fishing include East Park Lake (McLean Co.), Heckers Lake (Sheridan Co.), Lake Ashtabula (Barnes and Griggs Cos.), Lake Audubon (McLean Co.), and Larimore Dam (Grand Forks Co.), among others. Check the full proclamation for the complete list before going out.
Northern pike cannot be taken on the Red River with bow equipment, even during the darkhouse season when northern pike are otherwise legal statewide. This is a water-specific restriction worth noting if you fish near the eastern border.
Several other location-based restrictions apply across the state:
- It is illegal to fish from the bridge located between North and South Lake Metigoshe as well as 100 feet in any direction from this structure at any time.
- Areas near the Garrison Dam Tailrace so posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are closed to fishing.
- No individual shall fish or boat in areas posted and designated by NDGF as rearing ponds, spawning areas, or other designated areas.
- National Wildlife Refuges may allow fishing with seasonal restrictions — always check refuge-specific rules before accessing those waters.
Private land access is another consideration. Many prairie potholes and small lakes sit on private land, so you should always verify access legality. North Dakota’s PLOTS Program (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) provides thousands of acres of walk-in access. Download PLOTS maps from the NDGF website before heading to unfamiliar waters.
Night Bowfishing Rules in North Dakota
Night bowfishing is legal in North Dakota for nongame fish during the open-water archery season. This is one of the more popular ways to target carp and other rough fish, as these species are often easier to spot in shallow water after dark.
Night bowfishing is legal in North Dakota, and legal archery and spearing equipment for licensed anglers may also include use of night-vision equipment or electronically-enhanced light-gathering optics, including flashlights and lanterns, as aids in locating and/or shooting at fish. This means you can legally run a bowfishing light rig or use a headlamp to spot fish without additional permits.
The same species restrictions apply at night as during daylight hours. You cannot shoot game fish — walleye, northern pike, bass, and the other species listed in the game fish definition — regardless of the time of day. Nongame fish like carp, buffalo, and drum remain the primary legal targets during night outings.
Night bowfishing during the darkhouse season (November 15 – March 15) operates under different rules. Darkhouse fishing by definition takes place inside an enclosed structure over an ice hole, so the “night” aspect is controlled by the structure itself. The same legal equipment rules apply, and the same species restrictions govern what you can take.
Important Note: Night bowfishing from a boat requires compliance with all North Dakota boating safety laws, including proper navigation lights. Additionally, be aware of any local noise or access ordinances that may apply to specific lakes or rivers in the area you plan to fish.
If you’re interested in other nighttime or seasonal outdoor activity rules in North Dakota, the backyard chicken laws in North Dakota and beekeeping laws in North Dakota offer additional context on how the state regulates animal-related activities at the local level.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in North Dakota
North Dakota is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so there are no saltwater bowfishing regulations to follow. While North Dakota may be landlocked, the Peace Garden State is a top destination for serious anglers, with over 400 lakes and rivers offering good action for walleye, pike, catfish, perch, bass, salmon, and many more species. All bowfishing in North Dakota takes place in freshwater environments.
The state’s major bowfishing waters are all freshwater: the Missouri River system, the Red River along the eastern border, Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe, Devils Lake, and the hundreds of prairie potholes and smaller lakes scattered across the state. Individuals fishing the Red River and/or the Bois de Sioux River who possess a valid fishing license from either North Dakota or Minnesota may fish the river(s) between the banks of the river separating the two states and on the shoreline of the state issuing the license. This shared-water rule is relevant for bowfishers who operate near the Minnesota border.
If you’re planning a bowfishing trip that crosses state lines, be aware that neighboring states have their own rules. For example, bowfishing laws in North Carolina differ significantly from North Dakota’s freshwater-only framework. Always carry the correct license for the state whose waters you’re fishing.
For more on North Dakota’s animal and wildlife regulations beyond bowfishing, explore related guides on roadkill laws in North Dakota, leash laws in North Dakota, and pet import laws in North Dakota to stay informed across the board.
The bottom line: North Dakota offers bowfishers a solid legal framework with two distinct seasons, clear species rules, and well-defined equipment standards. Stick to nongame fish during the open-water season, follow the darkhouse rules in winter, carry your valid fishing license, and always check the current NDGF fishing proclamation for any water-specific exceptions before you go.