Bowfishing Laws in West Virginia: What You Need to Know Before You Shoot

Bowfishing in West Virginia is a legal and growing pursuit on the Mountain State’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Whether you’re targeting invasive carp on the Ohio River or shooting rough fish in one of the state’s many public impoundments, understanding the rules set by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) keeps you on the water and out of trouble.

The rules are straightforward in principle — bowfishing is permitted for nongame fish, and game fish are entirely off-limits — but the details around seasons, species, and locations matter. This guide walks you through every regulation you need to know so you can plan your next trip with confidence.

Pro Tip: Always carry a printed or digital copy of the current WVDNR Fishing Regulations Summary when you go out. Regulations are updated annually, and water-specific rules can differ from statewide defaults.

Is Bowfishing Legal in West Virginia?

Yes, bowfishing is legal in West Virginia. Methods like bowfishing, dipping, gigging, and spearfishing are only permitted for nongame fish in the Mountain State. The WVDNR explicitly authorizes the use of a bow to take fish, provided you follow all applicable fishing regulations and hold the proper license.

Bowfishing for game fish is not permitted. This is the single most important rule to internalize before you string an arrow. Species like bass, walleye, trout, and muskellunge are fully protected from bowfishing, and shooting one — even accidentally — can result in a citation.

Regulations prevent overharvesting sport fish, protect spawning fish, maintain healthy populations, and protect vulnerable species. The WVDNR carefully collects biological information and considers angler preferences before implementing any new regulation. Bowfishing rules are part of that same conservation framework, and they are enforced by Natural Resources Police Officers statewide.

If you’re also interested in other hunting laws in West Virginia or want to compare rules in a neighboring state, check out the bowfishing laws in Virginia for a useful side-by-side reference.

What Fish Can You Bowfish for in West Virginia?

West Virginia divides its fish into two broad categories: game fish and nongame fish. Only nongame fish may be taken by bow, and the rules within that category vary depending on the species and time of year.

Only common carp, bighead carp, silver carp, and grass carp may be taken by bow year-round. Smallmouth buffalo are not carp and cannot be shot year-round. This is a common point of confusion for new bowfishers — the buffalo fish resembles carp in some ways, but it does not share the same year-round open season.

Other nongame fish may be taken by bow during all months of the year except May and June. That seasonal closure covers the spring spawning period for many nongame species and is designed to protect fish populations during their most vulnerable window. Plan your trips accordingly — targeting anything beyond the four carp species listed above means you need to stay out of the water in May and June.

Common nongame targets you’ll encounter in West Virginia waters include common carp (Cyprinus carpio), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), drum, gar, and various sucker species. Some of the most common freshwater fish shot by bowfishers include bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, catfish, buffalo, and several varieties of gar. Many of these fall under the category of rough fish — species that fall outside the category of sport fish.

Important Note: Paddlefish and sturgeon are protected species in West Virginia. Diamond and candy darters, as well as paddlefish and sturgeon, are protected species in West Virginia and must be released immediately if caught. Never intentionally target these fish with a bow.

Species	Legal to Bowfish?	Season
Common Carp	Yes	Year-round
Bighead Carp	Yes	Year-round
Silver Carp	Yes	Year-round
Grass Carp	Yes	Year-round
Smallmouth Buffalo	Yes (seasonal)	All months except May and June
Other Nongame Fish	Yes (seasonal)	All months except May and June
Game Fish (bass, walleye, trout, etc.)	No	Never
Paddlefish / Sturgeon	No	Protected — release immediately

Bowfishing License Requirements in West Virginia

There is no separate bowfishing license in West Virginia. All anglers must have a valid fishing license in order to fish using a bow, and all persons using a bow to fish must observe all applicable fishing regulations. Your standard fishing license is the only credential you need to bowfish legally.

All anglers age 15 and older are required to have a fishing license in West Virginia, and licenses are good for the calendar year. Licenses can be purchased online at WVfish.com or in person at authorized license agents. Anglers under 15 are exempt from the license requirement.

As of 2026, resident anglers pay $19 for an annual fishing license, while nonresidents pay $37. The 2026 licenses became available starting January 1. If you’re only visiting for a short trip, nonresidents can purchase a Class LL 1-Day license for $3, making it affordable for a quick outing.

You do not need a trout stamp to bowfish. A trout stamp is required for trout fishing, regardless of whether you intend to keep the trout or not — but since trout are game fish and cannot be taken by bow, this stamp is simply irrelevant to bowfishers.

Any angler age 15 or older must carry a valid state fishing permit while fishing in West Virginia. This rule applies to both residents and nonresidents. You are also required to carry a valid photo ID at all times. Failing to produce either during a WVDNR inspection can result in a citation.

Purchasing a hunting or fishing license is more convenient than ever before. Residents and nonresidents can enroll, pay, and print through the Electronic Licensing and Game Check System. You can also purchase at any of the more than 350 authorized retail agents statewide.

Legal Bowfishing Equipment in West Virginia

West Virginia’s fishing regulations do not publish a detailed equipment-specific section exclusively for bowfishing gear, but general bowfishing standards and statewide fishing rules apply. Here is what you need to know about legal equipment before heading out.

• Bow type: Recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows are all commonly used for bowfishing. West Virginia does not restrict bowfishing to a specific bow type under its fishing regulations.
• Arrow attachment: Bowfishing arrows must be attached to the bow by a line or reel to allow fish retrieval — this is standard practice nationally and aligns with the WVDNR’s general requirement that fish taken by bow be retrieved. Arrows for bowfishing must be attached by a line, string, or rope to enable retrieval of fish.
• Barbed tips: Bowfishing-specific barbed points are standard equipment and are legal for use on nongame fish. Note that barbed hooks are prohibited in designated catch-and-release waters, but bowfishing points on arrows are a separate category from hook-and-line gear.
• Lights and boat equipment: Bowfishing rigs with mounted lights are commonly used at night on open public waters. There is no statewide prohibition on the use of lights for bowfishing in West Virginia, though you must comply with all boating safety regulations while on the water.

Pro Tip: Always confirm equipment rules with your local WVDNR District Office before fishing specific impoundments. Some managed lakes carry additional gear restrictions that go beyond statewide defaults.

Keep in mind that game fish must be caught with a hook and line only. This may include methods such as rod and reel, trotlines, and droplines, though some of these methods have certain restrictions. Bowfishing equipment is strictly limited to nongame fish targets.

Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in West Virginia

West Virginia has a large network of public rivers, lakes, and reservoirs open to fishing, and most of these waters are also open to bowfishing for legal nongame species. The Ohio River, Kanawha River, New River, Elk River, and dozens of public impoundments all hold populations of carp and other nongame fish that make productive bowfishing destinations.

However, not every body of water operates under the same rules. Some waters have specific regulations that differ from the rest of the state. These special area regulations are outlined in the WVDNR regulations booklet. These areas have specific regulations that are clearly defined, and it is important to check them if you plan on fishing these areas or targeting specific species.

Several important location-specific restrictions affect bowfishers:

• Catch-and-release designated waters: All species of fish must be returned to the water at once in designated catch-and-release lakes and streams. No fish may be in the angler’s possession (creel limit 0) while fishing in these areas. Bowfishing — which involves harvesting fish — is effectively prohibited in these zones.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Locks and Dams: Snagging and gigging are prohibited within 100 feet of all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Locks and Dams and their appurtenances. Use similar caution with bowfishing near these structures and check current WVDNR guidance.
• Private property: You must have landowner permission to access private land or private water. Trespassing to bowfish is a separate legal violation entirely.
• Fly-fishing-only streams: Only artificial flies and streamers may be used or possessed on any of the fly-fishing-only streams, and only conventional fly fishing tackle may be used. Bowfishing is incompatible with these designations.
• Jennings Randolph Lake: Jennings Randolph Lake follows Maryland fishing regulations for certain species. If you plan to bowfish this border water, review Maryland’s rules as well.

The Ohio River operates under a reciprocal agreement with Ohio. Licensed Ohio residents may fish WV portions of the Ohio River, and the same applies to Maryland on the Potomac. If you’re an out-of-state angler fishing these reciprocal waters, confirm that your home state license covers you before shooting.

For more context on West Virginia’s broader outdoor regulations, the duck hunting laws in West Virginia page covers waterfowl rules on many of the same public waterways where bowfishing takes place.

Night Bowfishing Rules in West Virginia

Night bowfishing is one of the most effective ways to target carp, as these fish are more active in shallow water after dark. West Virginia does not have a statewide prohibition on night bowfishing for legal nongame species on open public waters, which means you can legally shoot carp and other nongame fish after dark under general statewide rules.

That said, there are important location-based exceptions you must check before launching your rig at night:

• Catch-and-release waters: These areas prohibit fish harvest at all hours, day or night.
• Fly-fishing-only streams: These waters restrict all methods to fly tackle, including during nighttime hours.
• Designated daylight-only waters: Fishing is permitted during daylight hours only on certain designated waters, except that on the three North Branch of the Potomac River Catch-and-Release Trout Fishing Areas, fishing is permitted between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. only. If a water body is listed as daylight-only, that restriction applies to bowfishing as well.

When bowfishing at night from a boat, you must comply with all U.S. Coast Guard and West Virginia boating safety regulations, including proper running lights and navigation rules. Regulations are designed to prevent overharvesting sport fish, protect spawning fish, maintain healthy populations, and protect vulnerable species — which is why the May and June closure for most nongame species applies equally at night as it does during the day.

Important Note: Even where night bowfishing is permitted, the seasonal closure for nongame fish (excluding the four carp species) still applies. You cannot shoot drum, buffalo, or gar at night in May or June any more than you can during the day in those months.

If you want to compare how neighboring states handle after-dark bowfishing, the bowfishing laws in Virginia article covers Virginia’s 24-hour rules for carp and snakehead.

Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in West Virginia

West Virginia is a landlocked state with no ocean or tidal coastline, so there are no saltwater bowfishing rules to follow here. The state borders the Ohio River to the northwest and the Potomac River to the northeast, but both of these are freshwater systems governed entirely by WVDNR regulations (and, in the case of border waters, by reciprocal agreements with Ohio and Maryland).

All bowfishing in West Virginia takes place in freshwater. West Virginia is home to wide-open lakes and expansive rivers that are perfect for fishing excursions. Your targets will always be freshwater nongame species — primarily carp, drum, gar, and suckers — regardless of which part of the state you fish.

If you’re planning a trip that combines West Virginia bowfishing with a visit to a coastal state, be aware that saltwater bowfishing regulations vary dramatically by state and species. For West Virginia itself, simply focus on the WVDNR freshwater framework described throughout this guide.

West Virginia’s public water system includes rivers, streams, and state-managed impoundments across all 55 counties. The Fishing Regulations Summary includes stocking locations, creel limits, rules for fishing on reciprocal waters, and other tips to help you enjoy West Virginia’s diverse fishing lakes and streams. Reviewing that document before each season — especially if you plan to bowfish new waters — is the best way to stay current with any rule changes.

For other animal and wildlife laws in the Mountain State, you may also find these resources useful: roadkill laws in West Virginia, pet import laws in West Virginia, and leash laws in West Virginia.

Key Takeaways for West Virginia Bowfishers

West Virginia offers solid bowfishing opportunities, particularly for invasive carp species on the Ohio River and Kanawha River corridors. The rules are manageable once you know them, but the consequences of shooting a game fish or fishing without a license are real. Here’s a quick summary of what you need to remember:

1. Bowfishing is legal for nongame fish only — game fish are strictly off-limits.
2. Common carp, bighead carp, silver carp, and grass carp are open year-round. All other nongame fish are closed in May and June.
3. A standard West Virginia fishing license (Class B for residents at $19, Class F for nonresidents at $37 as of 2026) is all you need — no separate bowfishing permit exists.
4. Anglers 15 and older must carry their license and a valid photo ID on the water at all times.
5. Catch-and-release designated waters, fly-fishing-only streams, and daylight-only waters all restrict or prohibit bowfishing — check before you go.
6. Night bowfishing is generally permitted on open public waters, but the May/June seasonal closure still applies after dark for most nongame species.
7. West Virginia is entirely landlocked — all bowfishing takes place in freshwater under WVDNR jurisdiction.

Whether you’re a new angler or a seasoned pro, understanding West Virginia’s fishing regulations is key to enjoying the sport. By knowing and following these regulations, which are updated each year, you’ll help conserve West Virginia’s world-class fisheries and ensure you’re fishing legally. When in doubt, contact a WVDNR District Office directly — they can answer water-specific questions that a general regulation summary may not fully address.