Spearfishing Laws in Nevada: What You Need to Know Before You Dive
August 4, 2026
Nevada may be known for its desert landscape, but the Silver State holds more than 200 lakes and reservoirs and 600 streams and rivers — and a handful of those waters are open to spearfishing. If you plan to pursue fish underwater in Nevada, the rules are narrow, specific, and strictly enforced by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).
Getting the details wrong — wrong water, wrong species, wrong gear — can mean misdemeanor charges, civil fines, and a suspended fishing license. This guide walks you through every layer of Nevada’s spearfishing laws, from which waters are open to what happens when someone breaks the rules.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Nevada?
Yes, spearfishing is legal in Nevada — but only under specific conditions set by state law. Under NRS 503.290, persons may spearfish for unprotected fish in all Nevada waters except Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake. That exception matters: two of the state’s most popular and scenic lakes are completely off-limits to spearfishing.
Beyond unprotected fish, there is one game fish exception. Persons may spearfish for striped bass in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to the cable below Hoover Dam. Outside of that designated stretch, targeting striped bass — or any other game fish — with a spear is prohibited statewide.
Nevada is a landlocked state, so there is no saltwater or ocean spearfishing within state borders. All spearfishing activity takes place in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and river systems. That framing shapes every rule discussed below.
Pro Tip: Always confirm the specific regulations for your target water body before heading out. Many Nevada lakes carry special regulations that go beyond the statewide baseline rules.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Nevada
Nevada is entirely landlocked, so the freshwater vs. saltwater distinction that applies in coastal states simply does not apply here. Every body of water where spearfishing is possible — from Lake Mead in the south to Lahontan Reservoir in the west — is freshwater.
That said, some of Nevada’s most prominent fishing waters straddle state lines and fall under interstate compact rules. Persons may spearfish for unprotected fish in all Nevada waters except Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake. Both of those border lakes — shared with California — carry blanket spearfishing prohibitions regardless of which state’s shore you enter from.
The Colorado River system, including Lakes Mead and Mohave, operates under its own set of rules tied to interstate agreements between Nevada, Arizona, and California. Refer to further tackle restrictions for Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and the Colorado River. If you plan to spearfish in those waters, review the Nevada Southern Region Fishing Regulations in detail before you enter the water.
For anglers comparing Nevada’s rules with neighboring states, the approach here is more restrictive than some. You can review how other states handle freshwater spearfishing in our guides to spearfishing laws in Colorado and spearfishing laws in Texas.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Nevada
A standard Nevada fishing license is required to spearfish. Fishing license regulations apply to persons taking fish by means of spear or bow and arrow. There is no separate spearfishing permit — your fishing license covers the activity — but you still need to hold a valid one before you enter the water with a spear.
Any resident 12 years of age or older who fishes in Nevada is required to have a fishing license. Nonresident anglers under 12 years of age are not required to have a license, but the number of fish taken must not exceed 50 percent of the limit.
Licenses are available through the Nevada Department of Wildlife, at NDOW offices, and through licensed agents statewide. You can purchase your Nevada fishing license online, by phone, by mail, at all Nevada Department of Wildlife offices, or license agents. You can buy an annual, 1-day fishing permit, or a 1-day group-fishing permit that allows a group of people to go fishing.
Some waters require additional permits beyond the standard state license. Fishing Pyramid Lake requires a Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal fishing permit in addition to your Nevada state fishing license. Tribal permits are available at stores in Sutcliffe and Wadsworth, or online at pyramidlake.us. Note that spearfishing regulations specific to Pyramid Lake are managed by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe — contact the tribe directly for current rules.
These license requirements are for all Nevada waters except for some “interstate waters” (Lake Tahoe, Topaz Lake, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Colorado River). Nonresident anglers under 12 years of age are not required to have a license, but the number of fish taken must not exceed 50 percent of the limit. Interstate waters have their own licensing structures, so check the applicable rules for whichever border water you plan to fish.
Pro Tip: Digital proof of your fishing license is generally accepted by NDOW game wardens, but carrying a printed backup is smart — especially in remote areas with no cell service.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Nevada
The species you may legally spear in Nevada depends entirely on how the state classifies the fish. Unprotected fish are all species not classified as game or protected. Unprotected fish may be taken by bow and arrow, hook and line, dipnet, cast net, minnow seine or minnow trap, and, except where prohibited, by spear.
Common unprotected fish in Nevada waters include common carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish, and various non-native rough fish. These species can be speared in most open waters without a bag limit restriction tied to the spearing method itself, though possession limits still apply.
Game fish — including trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, and crappie — are off-limits to spearfishing statewide, with one exception. Persons may spearfish for striped bass in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to the cable below Hoover Dam. Spearfishing for striped bass is prohibited in that portion of Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to Davis Dam and from Davis Dam down river to the Nevada state line.
Protected native fish are strictly off-limits. Nevada’s waters contain several federally listed species, including the bonytail (Gila elegans) and the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), both of which are endangered. A guide shows key differences between endangered bonytail and razorback sucker and the unprotected common carp, helping anglers follow fishing regulations and protect native fish populations. Misidentifying a protected fish and spearing it carries serious legal consequences.
| Species Category | Legal to Spear? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unprotected fish (e.g., common carp, goldfish) | Yes | Allowed in most open waters except Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake |
| Striped bass | Limited | Only in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave (Cottonwood Cove to cable below Hoover Dam) |
| Game fish (trout, bass, walleye, catfish, crappie) | No | Prohibited statewide by spear |
| Protected/endangered species | No | Federal and state protections apply; heavy penalties for violations |
For a broader look at how other states handle game fish spearfishing, see our guides on spearfishing laws in Florida and spearfishing laws in Michigan.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Nevada
Nevada’s regulations are specific about what equipment is and is not allowed when spearfishing. Two rules apply everywhere spearfishing is permitted in the state.
A mechanical spearing device may be used only under the surface of the water, and the spear must be attached to the device by a lanyard. This means surface shooting — firing a spear from above the waterline — is illegal. You must be submerged, and your spear must remain tethered to your device at all times.
When spearfishing, a person must display, within 100 feet, an appropriate diver’s flag. This is a safety requirement as much as a legal one. The diver’s flag alerts boaters and other water users to your presence underwater. Failing to display one is a violation regardless of whether any other rule is broken.
- Spearing must occur entirely below the water’s surface
- The spear must be attached to the device by a lanyard
- A diver’s flag must be displayed within 100 feet of the spearfisher at all times
- No spearfishing within 1/2 mile of any dock or swimming area in Lakes Mead and Mohave and the Colorado River system
There are no regulations in Nevada’s statewide rules that specifically prohibit spearguns versus pole spears or Hawaiian slings, but the requirement that all spearing occur below the surface and that the spear remain attached by a lanyard effectively governs the type of equipment that is practical to use. Always verify that any mechanical device you use meets the lanyard requirement before entering the water.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Nevada
Several specific waters and zones are closed to spearfishing in Nevada. Knowing these boundaries before you dive is essential — enforcement officers patrol these areas, and ignorance of the boundary is not a legal defense.
The two clearest statewide prohibitions apply to the state’s most famous alpine lakes. Persons may spearfish for unprotected fish in all Nevada waters except Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake. Both lakes are entirely off-limits to spearfishing for any species.
Within the Colorado River system, proximity restrictions add another layer. In Lakes Mead and Mohave and the Colorado River system, spearfishing is prohibited within 1/2 mile of any dock or swimming area. This zone applies even if you are otherwise targeting legal species in an otherwise open stretch of water.
The striped bass zone in Lake Mohave has its own internal boundary. Spearfishing for striped bass is prohibited in that portion of Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to Davis Dam and from Davis Dam down river to the Nevada state line. The only open stretch for striped bass spearfishing in Mohave runs from Cottonwood Cove north to the cable below Hoover Dam.
Beyond state rules, tribal waters carry their own authority. Pyramid Lake is managed by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Contact the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe for regulations and license requirements pertaining to Pyramid Lake. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Wildlife Refuges may also carry additional spearfishing restrictions — always check with the managing agency before entering.
Important Note: The National Park Service manages waters within Lake Mead National Recreation Area and may post additional closures beyond state rules. Check NPS signage and current postings when spearfishing in that system.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Nevada
Bag limits and size limits for spearfishing in Nevada follow the same rules that apply to hook-and-line fishing for the same species in the same water. There is no separate bag limit system for spearfishers — the standard daily and possession limits govern your harvest regardless of how you took the fish.
Under NRS 502.010, “Daily Limit” means the maximum number of game fish that may be lawfully taken and reduced to possession by a person in one day. The daily limit applies across all water bodies. You cannot take a daily limit of fish from one body of water then move to another body of water to take another limit of the same species there.
Nevada has implemented a “Possession Limit” which allows anglers to keep two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish were caught. The “Possession Limit” is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught.
For the Southern Region — which includes Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye counties — the general daily limits as of the 2026–2027 regulation period are as follows:
| Species Group | Daily Limit (Southern Region) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | 10 | Subject to special regulation waters |
| Warmwater game fish | 15 total | No more than 10 may be black bass |
| Unprotected fish (e.g., carp) | No limit | Possession limit still applies |
In the Western Region, the daily limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish, and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Since spearfishing for game fish is generally prohibited, these limits are most relevant when spearfishing for unprotected fish alongside a conventional fishing trip on the same day.
Unless otherwise noted under Region General Regulations or Region Special Regulations, there is no size limit. Where size limits do apply, this shall mean the total length of the fish including the head and tail.
For a comparison of bag and size limit structures in other states, see our articles on spearfishing laws in Ohio and spearfishing laws in Indiana.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Nevada
Nevada enforces its fishing laws — including spearfishing rules — through a combination of criminal penalties, civil fines, license revocation, and a demerit point system. The severity of the penalty scales with the seriousness of the violation.
Every person who is guilty of a misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine between $50–$500, and/or by imprisonment in county jail for not more than 6 months. Criminal acts considered under this title include but are not limited to: performing unlawful acts, obstructing or hindering an officer, employee, or agent of the Department, violation of Commission Regulation, or unlawful use and abuse of a license or permit privilege.
Most spearfishing violations — spearing a prohibited species, using gear above the water surface, failing to display a diver’s flag, or fishing without a license — fall under the misdemeanor category. More serious violations involving protected or endangered fish could trigger additional federal charges under the Endangered Species Act.
Hunting, fishing, and trapping license privileges are revoked when a person accumulates 12 demerit points within a 60-month period. When a person is convicted of a wildlife violation, a certain number of demerits are assessed for that crime. The more serious the crime, the greater the number of demerits that are assessed. Demerit-based revocations can range from 3 years to as much as 10 years.
Nevada is also a member of the Wildlife Violators Compact. NDOW is a member state of the Wildlife Violators Compact. This is a unified alliance between member states to recognize and apply hunting, fishing, and trapping license suspensions to residents who violate hunting, fishing, or trapping laws in other member states. A suspension earned for a spearfishing violation in Nevada can follow you across state lines.
To report a suspected spearfishing violation, sportsmen and members of the public can call the Operation Game Thief hotline or use the NDOW Tip app. The NDOW Tip app provides citizens the ability to submit anonymous tips to Nevada Department of Wildlife game wardens.
Understanding the full scope of Nevada’s wildlife laws helps you stay on the right side of the rules. For related Nevada regulations, see our guides on roadkill laws in Nevada, brucellosis laws in Nevada, and leash laws in Nevada. For spearfishing law comparisons, our articles on spearfishing laws in Virginia, spearfishing laws in Minnesota, spearfishing laws in Pennsylvania, and spearfishing laws in New Jersey provide useful context for how Nevada’s rules compare nationally.