Bowfishing Laws in Mississippi: What You Need to Know Before You Shoot

Bowfishing in Mississippi is one of the most exciting ways to spend time on the water, and the Magnolia State gives you plenty of legal targets to chase. From the sprawling backwaters of the Mississippi Delta to the brackish coastal marshes near Biloxi, the state offers year-round bowfishing opportunities that rod-and-reel anglers simply cannot match.

Before you string your bow and hit the water, you need to understand the rules set by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). Getting them wrong can cost you your gear, your license, and a significant fine. This guide walks you through every regulation you need to know — from legal species and equipment to night fishing and saltwater rules.

Is Bowfishing Legal in Mississippi?

Yes, bowfishing is legal in Mississippi. Mississippi allows you to bowfish for non-game and invasive fish species, but you cannot bowfish for game fish. That distinction is the cornerstone of the entire regulatory framework, so it’s worth understanding clearly before you head out.

Game fish may be taken only by hook and line with one or more hooks — including rod and reel with artificial bait — trotlines, throwlines, limblines, set hooks, free floating fishing devices (jugs), and yo-yos. A bow and arrow is not on that list for game fish, which means targeting species like largemouth bass, crappie, or striped bass with archery gear is a violation.

For non-game fish, however, the season is open year-round and the opportunities are substantial. Mississippi’s rivers, reservoirs, oxbow lakes, and coastal marshes hold large populations of rough fish that are perfectly legal to pursue with a bow.

Pro Tip: If you are ever unsure whether a fish you just shot is a game species or a non-game species, do not leave it on the bank. Consult the MDWFP regulations or contact a game warden before your next outing to avoid an accidental violation.

What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Mississippi?

Bow and arrow, crossbow, spear, or gig are allowed for the harvest of bowfin, buffalo, common carp, catfish, gar, shad, silver carp, bighead carp, black carp, grass carp, and snakehead. Non-game gross fish are defined as gizzard shad, threadfin shad, gar (alligator, shortnose, longnose, spotted), eel, bowfin, common carp, paddlefish, bullheads (yellow, black, brown), buffalo (smallmouth, bigmouth, and black), spotted sucker, river carpsucker, quillback, highfin carpsucker, blacktail redhorse, freshwater drum, and catfish (channel, blue, flathead).

That list covers most of the species bowfishers actively target in Mississippi. Non-game fish such as buffalo, carp, and gar are all legal to bowfish, and many lakes and waterways are overpopulated with these varieties. Invasive Asian carp — silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, and black carp — are also fully legal targets and their removal is actively encouraged by fisheries managers.

There is one important seasonal restriction to keep in mind: buffalo, common carp, gar, catfish, shad, bowfin, silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, black carp, and snakehead may be taken throughout the year with a bow and arrow, crossbow, spear, or gig. However, catfish may not be taken with spear or gig from May 1 to July 15. Note that this restriction applies to spear and gig — bow and arrow use on catfish remains open year-round.

The Alligator Gar Exception

The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) deserves special attention. While gar species as a group are listed as legal bowfishing targets, alligator gar are subject to a conservation quota. An annual quota of 200 conservation-size alligator gar is established for harvest, with tags issued at MDWFP headquarters in Jackson. Tags are issued at a rate of five per applicant per month until the quota is met, and any one applicant can only be issued five tags per month.

If you harvest a tagged alligator gar, report the catch by phoning (601) 432-2400. Failing to tag and report a conservation-size alligator gar is a serious violation. Check with MDWFP before the season to confirm current quota availability.

Important Note: Paddlefish are classified as a non-game gross fish but are subject to strict harvest restrictions separate from standard bowfishing rules. Do not target paddlefish with a bow without first confirming the current season and permit requirements directly with MDWFP.

Bowfishing License Requirements in Mississippi

Persons taking fish using bow and arrow, crossbow, spear, or gig must have a valid sport fishing license or be exempt under Mississippi Code 49-7-5. There is no special bowfishing-specific license in Mississippi — your standard sport fishing license covers you.

Any resident of the State of Mississippi ages 16 through 64, fishing in the fresh or marine waters of Mississippi, including lakes and reservoirs but not including privately owned ponds and streams, is required to buy a fishing license. Kids under 16 can fish without a license, making Mississippi a family-friendly destination.

A saltwater license is required south of U.S. Highway 90, and a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between I-10 and U.S. Highway 90. A saltwater license is not valid north of I-10. If you plan to bowfish in coastal waters, make sure you have the correct license for the zone you are fishing.

Angler Type	License Required	Notes
Resident, ages 16–64	Freshwater or saltwater sport fishing license	Based on water zone fished
Non-resident (any age 16+)	Non-resident fishing license	Same zone rules apply
Under age 16	None required	Exempt statewide
Resident, age 65+	Lifetime recreational saltwater license ($7.29) for saltwater; freshwater exemptions apply	Must carry documentation while fishing

You can purchase your license through the MDWFP licensing portal or at any authorized license vendor across the state. Keep a digital copy of your license and regulations on your phone for field checks.

Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Mississippi

Mississippi’s regulations are straightforward when it comes to bowfishing gear. Bow and arrow, crossbow, spear, or gig are all allowed methods for harvesting legal non-game species. There is no state-mandated minimum draw weight for bows, and both compound and recurve setups are permitted.

For saltwater bowfishing, the MDMR regulations confirm that bow, spear, or gig may be used, with no restriction on number of prongs. This means multi-pronged gig tips are legal in marine waters without any special restriction.

• Bow types: Compound, recurve, and longbow are all legal
• Crossbows: Permitted for bowfishing non-game species
• Arrows: Must be attached to the bow via a bowfishing reel and line (standard practice — unattached arrows create retrieval violations)
• Lights: Artificial lights are permitted for night bowfishing (see Night Bowfishing section below)
• Spears and gigs: Legal for most species; gig prong count unrestricted in saltwater

The key equipment rule to remember is that it is unlawful for any person to fish any equipment in the waters of the state of any size or type that is not allowed by the commission. When in doubt about a specific piece of gear, check with MDWFP directly before using it on the water.

Pro Tip: Always use a bowfishing reel with a heavy-duty line rated for the species you are targeting. Buffalo and large alligator gar can exceed 50 pounds and will test lightweight setups quickly.

Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Mississippi

Most public waters in Mississippi are open to bowfishing for non-game species, but there are important location-based restrictions you need to know before you launch your boat.

Rivers like the Mississippi, Pearl, and Pascagoula are considered navigable and open to public use below the high-water mark. You can fish from a boat or wade, but be mindful of private property along the banks. The Delta’s vast network of oxbow lakes, sloughs, and backwater channels is also open for bowfishing and is among the most productive in the South.

State Fishing Lakes have a specific rule worth noting: only rod and reel or pole fishing is allowed on State Fishing Lakes, except that carp, gar, buffalo, and bowfin may be taken by use of bow and arrow at night only after purchasing a valid permit for fishing and/or boating. No other gear is allowed at these lakes. This means daytime bowfishing is not permitted on State Fishing Lakes — only nighttime shooting of those four listed species is allowed.

Community Assistance Program (CAP) Lakes follow an even stricter rule: only rod and reel or line and pole gear may be used in the following public waters which are open to fishing. Unless otherwise stated, all persons possessing a valid fishing license or who are legally exempt from the license requirements may fish these waters. Bowfishing is generally not permitted on CAP lakes.

Private lakes and ponds are off-limits unless you have explicit permission. Trespassing laws are enforced, and violators can face fines and loss of fishing privileges.

Waters with Special Restrictions

• State Fishing Lakes: Bowfishing allowed at night only, for carp, gar, buffalo, and bowfin, with a valid lake permit
• Community Assistance Program Lakes: Bowfishing generally not permitted; rod and reel only
• Private waters: Written or verbal permission from the landowner required
• Spillway areas: Check individual water body regulations — spillway zones at Grenada, Enid, Sardis, and Arkabutla Lakes have gear restrictions
• National Park waters: The Gulf Islands National Seashore boundary restricts certain fishing activities within a one-mile perimeter around Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois islands

If you plan to bowfish waters along the Mississippi-Arkansas or Mississippi-Louisiana borders, creel limits for bream, black bass, crappie, striped bass, and striped bass hybrids in waters shared with adjacent states shall be that of the adjacent state or the Mississippi limit, whichever is greater. Always confirm which state’s regulations apply to the specific channel or water body you are fishing. If you enjoy hunting and fishing across Mississippi, you may also want to review the duck hunting laws in Mississippi for additional waterfowl regulations on these same waterways.

Night Bowfishing Rules in Mississippi

Night bowfishing is legal in Mississippi and is widely considered the most productive time to shoot. You can bowfish during the day or night, from a mounted platform on a boat, a bridge, or a raised bank. Many experienced bowfishers prefer night because fish feel more secure and come out more. Bowfishing at night can produce some excellent fish.

The best approach for night bowfishing is to use a spotlight to shine on the fish. This method prevents the fish from spooking very easily. Boat-mounted lights, handheld spotlights, and underwater LED arrays are all commonly used in Mississippi and are not prohibited by state regulations.

The one location-specific night rule to keep in mind is for State Fishing Lakes: bowfishing is only permitted at those lakes after dark, and only for carp, gar, buffalo, and bowfin. On all other public waters — rivers, reservoirs, oxbow lakes, and coastal waters — there is no statewide prohibition on nighttime bowfishing for legal non-game species.

Pro Tip: When night bowfishing from a boat, make sure your vessel meets all U.S. Coast Guard lighting requirements for nighttime operation. Running without proper navigation lights is a separate violation entirely and can result in a boating citation.

The Mississippi Delta is a particularly popular destination for night bowfishing. Lakes, rivers, and backwaters are full of grass carp, which were originally stocked in catfish ponds to control weeds and algae and have since spread widely. These fish are often easier to spot and approach at night when they move into shallow water.

Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Mississippi

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast offers a different but equally exciting bowfishing experience. The state’s marine waters — managed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) — allow bowfishing as a legal harvest method.

A recreational fishing license is required for all methods of finfish harvest. Saltwater finfish may be taken from Mississippi waters by hook and line, trotline, bow, spear, or gig. This confirms that bowfishing is an explicitly recognized and legal method in marine waters.

A saltwater license is required south of U.S. Highway 90, and a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between I-10 and U.S. Highway 90. If you are launching from a coastal ramp and heading into tidal or open Gulf waters, a saltwater license is mandatory.

Common saltwater bowfishing targets in Mississippi include sheepshead, mullet, and stingrays in shallow grass flats and around structure. All standard saltwater size and bag limits apply to species you harvest by bow, just as they would if you were using a rod and reel. Any person selling or transporting for sale any species of fish that does not meet Mississippi state size limits or for which the season is closed must possess valid documentation evidencing that the fish were legally harvested.

For anglers targeting reef fish species offshore, note that beginning February 1, 2024, it is mandatory for Mississippi anglers to obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) to possess any reef fish species, which includes any species of snapper, amberjack, grouper, hind, triggerfish, and cobia in Mississippi waters. The permit is free of charge and is considered a supplemental license to the recreational saltwater fishing license.

One additional restriction applies near the Gulf Islands: commercial fishing is prohibited north of the CSX Railroad bridge in the three coastal counties of Mississippi. The National Park Service also prohibits commercial fishing within the Gulf Islands National Seashore boundary, which is a one-mile perimeter around Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois islands. While this restriction targets commercial activity, recreational bowfishers should be aware of the NPS boundary when fishing near those islands.

If you are curious how Mississippi’s saltwater bowfishing framework compares to neighboring states, check out the bowfishing laws in Texas and the bowfishing laws in Tennessee for a regional comparison. Mississippi also shares border waters with several states, so reviewing the bowfishing laws in Missouri may be helpful if you fish the northern river systems.

Key Takeaways for Mississippi Bowfishers

Mississippi is an excellent state for bowfishing, with a wide range of legal non-game species, year-round access on most public waters, and no special archery permit required beyond a standard sport fishing license. The rules are not complicated, but they do require attention — particularly around alligator gar quotas, State Fishing Lake restrictions, and the correct license type for your target water zone.

Always check the MDWFP Public Water Body Regulations page before fishing a specific lake or river, since individual water bodies can carry restrictions that differ from statewide rules. Regulations are updated periodically, and what applied last season may have changed. For more on Mississippi’s broader animal and outdoor laws, explore related guides on dog leash laws in Mississippi and roadkill laws in Mississippi. If you bowfish in other states, the bowfishing laws in North Carolina, bowfishing laws in Virginia, and bowfishing laws in Ohio are also worth reviewing before you cross state lines.