Bowfishing Laws in Indiana: What You Need to Know Before You Shoot
June 20, 2026
Bowfishing in Indiana gives you a hands-on way to target rough fish species while helping manage invasive populations — and the Hoosier State is generally welcoming to the sport. But before you string up a reel and hit the water, you need to understand exactly which fish are legal, what gear is allowed, and where the rules change depending on water type.
This guide breaks down Indiana’s bowfishing laws in plain language, covering everything from license requirements and legal species to night shooting rules and equipment restrictions — so you can get out there confidently and stay on the right side of Indiana DNR regulations.
Is Bowfishing Legal in Indiana
Yes, bowfishing is legal in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) explicitly permits the use of a bow and arrow as a fishing method, and it is one of several legal alternative gear types recognized under state fishing regulations.
A bow and arrow or crossbow can be used year-round at any time of day to take invasive carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers from streams, rivers, and non-flowing waters (including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs). That broad permission makes Indiana a solid destination for bowfishers of all experience levels.
Bowfishing is legal for rough fish such as carp, gar, and drum, but it is NOT permitted for game fish. That distinction is critical — targeting protected game fish with a bow is a violation, regardless of whether you intend to keep the fish or release it.
Important Note: Indiana DNR regulations apply to fish originating from or taken from public waters. Fish in private waters that did not originate from public waters are not covered by these rules. When in doubt, treat any water connected to a public source as regulated.
These regulations apply only to fish that originate from or are taken from Indiana’s public waters. Fish from public waters that migrate into or from private waters are still covered by these regulations. These regulations do not apply to fish in private waters that did not originate from public waters.
If you are also interested in other hunting laws in Indiana, it is worth reviewing those separately, as hunting and fishing regulations operate under different frameworks within the DNR.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Indiana
Indiana limits bowfishing to a specific list of rough and invasive fish species. You cannot shoot at bass, walleye, crappie, catfish, or any other game fish — doing so is illegal even if the fish is not retrieved.
A bow and arrow or crossbow can be used year-round at any time of day to take invasive carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers from streams, rivers, and non-flowing waters (including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs).
Here is a quick reference for legal bowfishing targets in Indiana:
| Legal Species | Classification | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | Rough/Invasive | No bag limit |
| Invasive (Asian) Carp | Invasive | No bag limit |
| Gar | Rough fish | No bag limit |
| Bowfin | Rough fish | No bag limit |
| Buffalo Fish | Rough fish | No bag limit |
| Suckers | Rough fish | No bag limit |
| Shad | Rough fish | No bag limit |
There are no bag limits for these fish. That makes bowfishing for rough species in Indiana especially appealing — you can take as many legal targets as you can shoot without worrying about creel limits.
Pro Tip: Invasive carp — including bighead, silver, and grass carp varieties — are a priority removal target for Indiana DNR. If you encounter them, you are actively helping fisheries management by taking them. Note that bighead carp, silver carp, and black carp are on the illegal-to-possess-alive list if taken incidentally, so kill them immediately per state rules.
Be aware that several fish species are fully protected in Indiana. The following fish species are classified as endangered in Indiana: cisco, bantam sunfish, Hoosier cavefish, channel darter, gilt darter, greater redhorse, lake sturgeon, Western sand darter, pallid shiner, redside dace, and variegate darter. It is illegal to take or possess these fish at any time. Most of these species are small and would not be caught while angling. If these fish are captured, immediately return them unharmed to the water in which they were found.
Bowfishing License Requirements in Indiana
You do need a valid fishing license to bowfish in Indiana. There is no separate bowfishing-specific permit — your standard sport fishing license covers the activity.
A fishing license is required to use a bow and arrow or crossbow as fishing equipment. This applies whether you are shooting from a boat, wading the shallows, or standing on the bank.
Indiana requires a fishing license for anyone age 18 and older who fishes in public waters. This applies to all methods — rod and reel, fly fishing, bowfishing, trotlines, and bank fishing.
Children under 18 do not need a fishing license to fish in Indiana. They must still follow all bag limits, size limits, and other regulations.
As of the 2025–2026 license year, Indiana fishing license fees are as follows, per the Indiana DNR and indianafishing.guide (as of March 2026):
- A resident annual fishing license costs $23.
- Non-resident annual licenses are $60.
- A 7-day non-resident license is $35.
- One-day licenses are $10 (resident) or $15 (non-resident) and include the trout/salmon stamp.
- Senior residents age 65+ pay $3 for an annual license.
Indiana residents who were born before April 1, 1943, are exempt from needing a fishing license when fishing in Indiana waters but are able to purchase a Voluntary Senior Fishing License, which supports fisheries conservation and public access in Indiana.
All annual licenses and stamp privileges are valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year. For example, a 2025 annual license would be valid from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.
You can purchase your license online through the Indiana DNR’s Activity Hub, by phone, or at retail locations. Your license is valid immediately. Save the confirmation email — you can show it on your phone if checked by a conservation officer.
Key Insight: You do not need a hunting license to bowfish in Indiana. Bowfishing falls entirely under fishing regulations, not hunting regulations — so your standard fishing license is all that is required.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Indiana
Indiana’s DNR regulations specify which types of equipment are legal for bowfishing, and those rules vary depending on the type of water you are fishing. Understanding these distinctions is essential before you head out.
Bow and Arrow
A standard bow and arrow is the most universally permitted bowfishing tool in Indiana. It is legal on all water types — non-flowing waters, large streams, and small streams alike.
Crossbows
Crossbows are permitted on non-flowing waters such as lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. However, the rules change on moving water. On large streams and small streams, crossbows may not be used. On small streams, bow and arrow only is permitted, and crossbows may not be used.
Other Spearing Equipment
A gig, fish spear, spear gun, or underwater spear can be used year-round at any time of day to take invasive carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers from non-flowing waters (including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs) and the following large rivers: Kankakee River, upstream from the Illinois border to the SR 55 bridge; Maumee River, upstream from the Ohio border to the Anthony Boulevard bridge in Fort Wayne; St. Joseph River, in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
Here is a summary of equipment permissions by water type:
| Water Type | Bow and Arrow | Crossbow | Spear/Gig/Speargun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-flowing waters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs) | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Large streams (1,500+ cfs) | Legal | Not permitted | Legal (select rivers) |
| Small streams (under 1,500 cfs) | Legal | Not permitted | Not permitted |
Common Mistake: Many bowfishers assume crossbows are always legal in Indiana because they are permitted on lakes. They are not legal on streams of any size. Always confirm your water type before using crossbow equipment.
There are no specific draw weight minimums stated in Indiana’s bowfishing regulations (unlike deer hunting rules). However, using a bow capable of fully penetrating a fish and retrieving it is both practical and expected. Most bowfishing setups use compound or recurve bows with a bowfishing reel and line attached to a fiberglass or carbon arrow fitted with a barbed bowfishing point.
You may use no more than one snare to take suckers, carp, gar, and bowfin. Snaring these fish may be done only between sunrise and sunset. Snares are not allowed on the Ohio River.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Indiana
Indiana gives bowfishers access to a wide variety of public waters, but there are location-specific rules and some areas where bowfishing is restricted or prohibited entirely.
Where Bowfishing Is Generally Permitted
Bowfishing is allowed in all waters of Indiana unless stated in an ordinance at specific state-owned or privately owned waters. That means most of Indiana’s rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds are open to bowfishers targeting legal species.
Indiana has over 200 public fishing areas, including state parks, fish and wildlife areas, and reservoir access points. Popular bowfishing destinations include the Wabash River, White River, Kankakee River, and large reservoirs such as Brookville Lake, Patoka Lake, and Monroe Lake.
Where Bowfishing May Be Restricted
- City limits: Bowfishing is also not allowed within city limits that have city ordinances that prohibit the firing of a weapon. Check local municipal ordinances before shooting near populated areas.
- State parks: Some state park properties have specific rules about bowfishing. Always confirm with the individual park before heading out, as DNR property managers can set additional restrictions.
- Lake Michigan tributaries: There are special restrictions on bow and spear fishing equipment in Lake Michigan tributaries. Review those rules separately before fishing any Lake Michigan drainage.
- Private waters: You must have permission from the landowner to bowfish on private property. Trespassing laws apply regardless of your fishing license status.
Ohio River Considerations
The Ohio River carries its own set of border-water regulations. Lake Michigan, the Ohio River, and Indiana-Illinois boundary waters of the Wabash River have special regulations. If you plan to bowfish the Ohio River, review those specific rules in the Indiana DNR fishing guide before going out.
Pro Tip: The Indiana DNR’s “Where to Fish” interactive map is a useful tool for locating public access points, boat ramps, and water body details before your trip. Access it through the official Indiana DNR website at in.gov/dnr.
If you want a broader look at Indiana’s animal-related regulations, you may also find it helpful to review roadkill laws in Indiana or explore how Indiana handles other wildlife matters.
Night Bowfishing Rules in Indiana
Night bowfishing is one of the most productive ways to target carp and other rough fish, and Indiana is relatively permissive when it comes to after-dark shooting — but the rules depend on the water type you are fishing.
There are no hour restrictions on fishing in Indiana. You can fish 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That general rule extends to bowfishing on non-flowing waters and large streams.
Here is how night bowfishing breaks down by water type:
- Non-flowing waters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs): Equipment including fish spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, and bow and arrow is legal all year, day or night. Crossbows may not be used.
- Large streams (1,500+ cfs minimum flow): Bowfishing is permitted all year, day or night. Crossbows are not permitted on any streams.
- Small streams (under 1,500 cfs): Equipment is bow and arrow only. Crossbows may not be used. Bowfishing on small streams is permitted all year from sunrise to sunset only. Night shooting on small streams is not allowed.
Important Note: Night bowfishing on small streams is prohibited in Indiana. If you are shooting a smaller creek, river branch, or tributary with a flow rate under 1,500 cubic feet per second, you must stop at sunset. Violations of this rule can result in citations from conservation officers.
When bowfishing at night from a boat, you will also need to comply with federal and state boating safety rules. A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved wearable personal flotation device (PFD) is required for each person on any boat. Boats used for night bowfishing typically run bright floodlights or LED arrays to illuminate the water — make sure your vessel also meets all required navigation light standards when operating after dark.
For more on Indiana’s outdoor recreation rules, you can explore topics like leash laws in Indiana or dog chaining laws in Indiana for a fuller picture of how the state approaches animal-related regulations.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Indiana
Indiana is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so there are no saltwater bowfishing regulations that apply here. All bowfishing in Indiana takes place in freshwater environments — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and the state’s portion of Lake Michigan.
Lake Michigan is the closest thing Indiana has to a large open-water fishery, and it does come with its own distinct set of rules. Lake Michigan gives anglers piers, breakwalls, trollers, tributary-adjacent planning, and the kind of weather judgment more often associated with larger coastal states.
For bowfishing purposes on Lake Michigan specifically, note that there are special restrictions on bow and spear fishing equipment in Lake Michigan tributaries. The main lake itself is not a standard bowfishing environment due to depth, water clarity, and the species present — Lake Michigan is primarily managed for trout and salmon, which are protected game fish that cannot be taken by bow.
If you are planning a Lake Michigan outing with any kind of alternative gear, review the tributary-specific rules in the official Indiana DNR fishing regulations on eRegulations before you go. The rules for Lake Michigan tributaries differ from inland stream regulations in several ways.
For bowfishers accustomed to saltwater states where separate coastal licenses and marine zone rules apply, Indiana’s system is straightforward by comparison: one standard fishing license, a defined list of legal species, and water-type-specific equipment and timing rules — all under a single freshwater framework.
Key Insight: If you travel to neighboring states to bowfish saltwater or brackish environments, be aware that each state has its own rules. For example, states like Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan each have their own DNR frameworks — always check the regulations for the specific state where you plan to fish.
Indiana’s bowfishing framework is clear and accessible once you understand the key distinctions: legal species are rough and invasive fish only, a standard fishing license covers the activity, crossbows are restricted on streams, and night shooting is off-limits on small streams. Stick to those rules, confirm any site-specific restrictions before you arrive, and you will have a fully legal — and highly productive — time on Indiana’s waters.
For the most current regulations, always verify directly with the Indiana DNR Fish and Wildlife Fishing Guide before each outing. Rules can be updated, and conservation officers enforce the official published regulations — not third-party summaries. You can also check the Indiana eRegulations fishing page for the full current guide.