Spearfishing in Kansas is not the free-for-all that some anglers assume. The state allows it under specific conditions, but the rules around which species you can target, where you can dive, and what gear you can carry are tightly defined by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). Getting those details wrong can cost you your license, your catch, and potentially a lot more.
Whether you are a Kansas resident planning your first underwater hunt or a visiting angler scoping out the state’s rivers and reservoirs, this guide breaks down every layer of the law — from legal species and gear requirements to no-go zones and the penalties that come with violations.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Kansas?
Yes, spearfishing is legal in Kansas — but only for a defined list of nonsport fish species and only in waters that are posted or designated as open to skin or scuba diving. The state does not operate on a blanket-permission model. Instead, the law permits spearfishing in specific contexts and prohibits it everywhere else by default.
Unless otherwise posted, spearguns or gigs without explosive charge may be used to take grass carp, common carp, freshwater drum, threadfin shad, gizzard shad, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar and their hybrids, bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, black buffalo and their hybrids, river carpsucker, quillback, white sucker, golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse, goldfish, goldeye, shovelnose sturgeon, fish species listed as prohibited species, and bullfrogs — in waters posted “open to scuba and skin diving.”
This is an important distinction from bowfishing, which enjoys broader access across Kansas waters. Spearfishing with a speargun requires underwater diving and is tied specifically to designated dive-open waters. If a body of water is not posted as open to scuba or skin diving, you cannot legally use a speargun there.
Pro Tip: Before heading out, check the KDWP’s posted notices at your target water body. The “open to scuba and skin diving” designation must be physically posted at the site — do not assume it applies just because a lake allows other types of fishing.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Kansas
Kansas is a landlocked state with no coastline, so saltwater spearfishing simply does not apply here. Every spearfishing regulation in Kansas governs freshwater environments — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and streams.
With more than 50 state fishing lakes, 24 federal reservoirs, and innumerable rivers and streams, Kansas provides year-round fishing options. All of these are freshwater bodies, and all spearfishing activity falls under the KDWP’s freshwater fishing regulations under Kansas Administrative Regulations Chapter 115.
The distinction that matters most in Kansas is not saltwater versus freshwater — it is designated dive waters versus non-designated waters. Speargun use is restricted to waters explicitly posted open to skin or scuba diving. Gigging, by contrast, can occur in a wider range of waters where nonsport fish are present. If you are used to spearfishing in ocean or coastal states, expect a much narrower scope of legal activity in Kansas.
For anglers who also fish neighboring states, note that if any law or regulation governing fishing in the Missouri River is different from the corresponding law or regulation in the state for which the angler has a license, the more restrictive state’s law or regulation will apply. That matters if you are diving near the Kansas-Missouri border.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Kansas
You need a valid Kansas fishing license to spearfish or gig in Kansas waters. There is no separate spearfishing-specific permit — the standard fishing license covers the activity, but you must have it on your person while in the water.
Residents age 16 through 74 must have a resident license in possession while fishing in Kansas, unless exempt by law. All nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid nonresident license to fish in Kansas.
Most licenses expire 365 days from date of purchase or 365 days from the expiration date of your current license, except one-day, five-day, five-year, multi-year youth, and lifetime fishing licenses. You can purchase licenses through the KDWP’s Go Outdoors KS platform or at licensed retailers statewide.
Several exemptions and special provisions apply:
- Active members of the Kansas Army or Air National Guard are eligible for free fishing and hunting licenses and park permits.
- Legal Kansas residents who have been separated from the armed services under honorable conditions and have a disability certified by the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs as being service-connected and such disability is equal to or greater than 30 percent may apply through the Pratt Operations Office for free hunting and fishing licenses.
- Residents age 65–74 are eligible for fishing ($15), hunting ($15), or fishing/hunting combination ($25) licenses.
- Persons on active duty in the armed forces who entered the service while residents of Kansas may purchase resident fishing licenses. Nonresidents on active military duty stationed in Kansas and nonresident students going to school in Kansas qualify for resident fishing licenses, and they must have evidence of active duty or enrollment with them while fishing.
If you plan to spearfish on the Kansas River using handfishing methods alongside your diving, note that a special permit ($27.50) is required in addition to a fishing license for handfishing on the Kansas River. That permit does not cover spearfishing, but it is worth knowing if you combine techniques on the same outing. You can also review hunting laws in Kansas for a broader picture of how the state manages wildlife take permits.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Kansas
Kansas draws a firm line between sport fish and nonsport fish, and that line determines almost everything about what you can legally target with a speargun or gig. Sport fish — including bass, walleye, crappie, and trout — are off-limits for spearfishing under any circumstances. Nonsport fish are the legal targets.
Nonsport fish include carp, drum, grass carp, threadfin and gizzard shad, goldfish, gar, suckers (including carpsuckers and buffalo), eel, shovelnose sturgeon, goldeye, and bowfin. These are the species you can legally pursue with a speargun in designated waters.
The full list of species that may be taken by speargun or gig includes grass carp, common carp, freshwater drum, threadfin shad, gizzard shad, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar and their hybrids, bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, black buffalo and their hybrids, river carpsucker, quillback, white sucker, golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse, goldfish, goldeye, shovelnose sturgeon, fish species listed as prohibited species, and bullfrogs.
Bullfrogs are also a legal spearfishing and gigging target during their open season. Bullfrog season runs from July 1 through October 31, with a daily creel limit of eight and a possession limit of 24 bullfrogs. Bullfrogs may be taken any time of day or night by dip net, gig, hook and line, hand, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
The following species are strictly prohibited as spearfishing targets:
- All sport fish: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, walleye, sauger, crappie, bluegill, catfish (in rivers and streams), trout, and white bass
- Any species listed as threatened, endangered, or in need of conservation under Kansas law
- Species listed as prohibited may not be possessed live or utilized as live bait. Species which are listed as threatened, endangered, or in need of conservation may not be used as bait.
Important Note: Even though catfish are nonsport fish in some contexts, they carry special protections for spearfishing. Blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish may not be targeted by bowfishing in rivers and streams, and the same protective logic applies to speargun use — check current KDWP postings for any specific water body before targeting catfish.
For context on how Kansas manages other aspects of wildlife take, see the bow hunting laws in Kansas, which share several overlapping principles with bowfishing and spearfishing regulations.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Kansas
Kansas law is specific about what spearfishing equipment is legal and what modifications are forbidden. Using the wrong gear — even with the right species in the right water — can result in a violation.
Under Kan. Admin. Regs. § 115-7-1, legal equipment and methods for taking nonsport fish include a spear gun, without explosive charge, while skin or scuba diving. The spear, without explosive charge, shall be attached to the speargun or person by a line.
Here is a summary of the key gear rules for spearfishing and gigging in Kansas:
| Equipment | Legal Status | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Speargun (non-explosive) | Legal in designated dive waters | Spear must be attached to gun or diver by a line |
| Gig | Legal for nonsport fish and bullfrogs | No explosive charge; standard handheld use |
| Speargun with explosive charge | Illegal | Prohibited under all circumstances |
| Free-floating spear (no line) | Illegal | Spear must remain attached to gun or diver |
| Crossbow (bowfishing) | Legal | Arrow must have barbed head and be attached by line to bow |
Spears must be attached to the speargun or person by a line. This is a non-negotiable requirement — a free-flying spear is illegal regardless of the species targeted. Dip nets and gaffs may be used to land any legally caught or hooked fish, so you can carry these as secondary tools to retrieve your catch after a successful shot.
Fish may be taken with the aid of boats, depth finders, artificial lights, sound attracters, and scents. This means you can use underwater lights or dive lights to locate fish without violating the law, which is particularly useful for night gigging of bullfrogs during the summer season.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Kansas
Not every Kansas water body is open to spearfishing, and even waters that permit other types of fishing may prohibit speargun use. The primary restriction is the “open to scuba and skin diving” posting requirement — if that designation is not present, spearfishing is not permitted.
Beyond the posting requirement, several specific zone restrictions apply statewide:
- Waters within 50 yards of an occupied boat dock or ramp, occupied swimming area, occupied picnic site or camping area, and other occupied public-use areas are closed to bowfishing — and the same safety buffer logic applies to spearfishing and gigging activities.
- No person may fish or collect bait within, cast fishing line or throw nets into or over, or trespass with the intent of fishing within a fish passage, fish ladder, or fishway. A fish passage, fish ladder, or fishway is defined as a structure that facilitates the natural migration of fish upstream on, through, or around an artificial barrier or dam.
- All waters are open to bowfishing unless posted otherwise, but spearfishing with a speargun is more restricted — it requires an affirmative “open to scuba and skin diving” posting rather than the absence of a prohibition.
Kansas public lands like state fishing lakes and wildlife areas have special use restrictions that can vary by location. State fishing lakes, in particular, often have site-specific rules posted at the access points. Always read the posted notices before entering the water with a speargun.
Some bowfishing is permitted at city, county, township, or private lakes, but regulations vary, so consult local rules. The same advice applies to spearfishing — city and county-managed waters may impose additional restrictions beyond the KDWP statewide rules. Check with the managing authority before diving.
Pro Tip: The KDWP publishes a Kansas Special Size Limits, Creel Limits, and Bait Restrictions Table that lists water-specific regulations. Cross-reference this document with any water body you plan to spearfish before your trip.
If you are interested in how Kansas manages other outdoor activities with location-specific rules, the beekeeping laws in Kansas and roadkill laws in Kansas offer useful comparisons of how the state structures permit and zone-based restrictions.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Kansas
One of the more permissive aspects of Kansas spearfishing law is that nonsport fish — which make up the bulk of legal spearfishing targets — carry no bag limits or size limits. There are no limits on nonsport fish. That means species like common carp, gar, freshwater drum, and buffalo can be taken in any quantity during a single outing, as long as you are in a legal water body using legal gear.
Bullfrogs, however, do carry limits. As noted above, the daily creel limit is eight bullfrogs per person, with a possession limit of 24. These limits apply regardless of the method used to take them — gig, hand, or otherwise.
The possession rules for fish you do keep are also important to understand:
- All fish taken, subject to a length limit, shall have the head, body, and tail fin attached while in possession on the water. This applies to any fish with a size restriction — even if nonsport fish generally have none, keep this rule in mind if you are also carrying sport fish from other methods.
- Sport fish taken must be kept until consumed, processed, taken home, or given to another person, or released. Legally taken sport fish may be given to another if accompanied by a dated, written notice that includes the donor’s printed name, signature, address, and permit or license number.
- It is unlawful to refuse to allow law enforcement officers to inspect fish or wildlife in possession or devices or facilities used in taking, possessing, transporting, storing, or processing any wildlife.
For aquatic invasive species-designated waters, additional transport rules apply. Livewells and bilges must be drained and drain plugs removed from all vessels being removed from waters of the state before transport on a public highway. No person may possess any live fish upon departure from any designated aquatic invasive species body of water.
You can find the full statewide creel and length limits table through the KDWP Fishing Regulations page, which is updated annually and includes water-specific exceptions.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Kansas
Kansas takes fishing violations seriously, and spearfishing infractions fall under the same enforcement framework as all other fishing law violations. The KDWP’s Law Enforcement Division actively patrols Kansas waters, and officers have the authority to inspect your gear, your catch, and your license on the spot.
Violations of Kansas fishing regulations are governed by K.S.A. Chapter 32. Common spearfishing-related violations and their consequences include:
- Fishing without a valid license: Class C misdemeanor, which can result in a fine and the possibility of license suspension.
- Taking prohibited species (sport fish) by speargun: Class A or B misdemeanor depending on the species and circumstances, with fines that can reach into the hundreds of dollars per fish.
- Using an illegal speargun (explosive charge or unattached spear): Equipment violation resulting in citation, gear confiscation, and fines.
- Spearfishing in a non-designated water body: Trespass and fishing method violation, subject to citation and fines.
- Refusing officer inspection: It is unlawful to refuse to allow law enforcement officers to inspect fish or wildlife in possession or devices or facilities used in taking, possessing, transporting, storing, or processing any wildlife. This refusal itself is a separate, chargeable offense.
- Selling fish without a commercial permit: It is also unlawful to sell fish except as specifically authorized under a commercial fishing permit.
Beyond fines, repeat violations can trigger license revocation and civil restitution for illegally taken wildlife. Kansas participates in interstate compacts that share violation records, meaning a revocation in Kansas can affect your ability to obtain fishing licenses in other states.
Important Note: The KDWP operates a tip line for reporting violations. If you witness someone spearfishing illegally — taking sport fish, using prohibited gear, or diving in closed waters — you can report it through the KDWP Report Violators system. Anonymous tips are accepted.
For comparison, understanding penalties in related areas of Kansas wildlife law can be helpful. The hunting laws in Kansas and bow hunting laws in Kansas outline similar penalty structures for illegal take of wildlife, giving you a sense of how the state enforces its outdoor regulations broadly.
If you also fish or hunt in neighboring Arkansas, it is worth reviewing the hunting laws in Arkansas and bow hunting laws in Arkansas since rules differ significantly between the two states. The roadkill laws in Arkansas also illustrate how neighboring states take distinct approaches to wildlife possession.
Staying compliant in Kansas comes down to three core habits: carry your license, know your target species, and confirm that your chosen water body is posted open to scuba or skin diving before you enter. The KDWP’s 2026 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary is the definitive reference — download it before every season and check for posted updates at individual water bodies throughout the year.