Spearfishing Laws in Arkansas: What You Need to Know Before You Dive In
August 7, 2026
Arkansas is a landlocked state, but that does not mean it lacks serious spearfishing opportunities. The Natural State’s sprawling reservoirs, Corps of Engineers impoundments, and major lakes give freshwater spearfishers real targets — from walleye and crappie to rough fish and catfish. What it does require, though, is careful attention to the rules.
Spearfishing in Arkansas is tightly regulated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), which controls which waters are open, which species you can take, when the season runs, and what gear you can carry. Getting any of those details wrong can cost you your fishing privileges. This guide breaks down every layer of those rules so you can plan your trip with confidence.
Pro Tip: Arkansas regulations can change each year. Always cross-check this guide against the current AGFC Fishing Guidebook or the official regulations at agfc.com before heading out.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Arkansas?
Yes — spearfishing is legal in Arkansas, but it is not a free-for-all. The state permits spearfishing for game fish only in specific designated lakes and only during a defined season. Outside of those approved waters and dates, carrying a spear gun on public waters is itself a violation.
Spearfishing season for game fish is open June 15 through March 15, sunrise to sunset, in lakes Beaver, Blue Mountain, Bull Shoals, Catherine, Conway, DeGray, DeQueen, Dierks, Erling, Greers Ferry, Gillham, Greeson, Hamilton, Harris Brake, Millwood, Nimrod, Norfork, Ouachita, Table Rock, and impoundments created by the locks and dams on the Arkansas River. That window runs for nine months out of the year, closing only from March 16 through June 14 — a period tied to spawning cycles and fish population management.
Rough fish may be taken by spearfishing all year on those same approved waters. So if you are targeting carp, buffalo, or drum rather than game fish, you have a year-round window on the designated lakes.
Important Note: Spearfishing is only permitted on the specific lakes listed above. If a lake is not on that list, spear guns are not allowed — even during open season.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Arkansas
Arkansas is entirely landlocked, so there is no saltwater spearfishing in the state. Every rule the AGFC publishes for spearfishing applies to freshwater lakes and river impoundments. You will not find ocean-specific regulations, marine protected area rules, or saltwater license requirements here — those simply do not exist in Arkansas.
What you will find instead is a freshwater system built around large reservoirs and Corps of Engineers lakes. Regulations emerge from spawning data, predator-prey balance studies, and carrying capacity assessments conducted across more than 600,000 fishable acres. The AGFC manages these systems with biological precision, and spearfishing rules reflect that approach — seasons and species restrictions exist to protect spawning fish and maintain healthy populations.
If you are comparing Arkansas rules to other states in the region, the framework here is more permissive than some neighbors. You can review how rules differ in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan to get a broader picture of how Midwestern and Southern states handle freshwater spearfishing.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Arkansas
A valid Arkansas fishing license is required to spearfish. If you plan to fish in Arkansas in 2026, you need a valid fishing license if you are 16 or older — no exceptions, whether you are a resident or visiting from out of state. That requirement applies whether you are using a rod, a bow, or a spear gun.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission issues all fishing licenses, and costs start as low as $6.50 for a resident 3-day trip license and go up to $60 for a nonresident annual license. You can buy your license online 24/7 at AGFC.com, by phone, or at hundreds of retail locations including Walmart and Bass Pro Shops across the state.
If you plan to target trout while spearfishing, an additional permit is required. The Arkansas Trout Permit is not automatically included with your standard fishing license. If you want to fish in designated trout waters or retain any trout you catch, you must purchase it separately.
- Resident annual fishing license: approximately $10.50 (confirm current rate at AGFC.com)
- Nonresident annual fishing license: approximately $60
- Resident 3-day trip license: approximately $6.50
- Trout permit: required separately for trout waters
- Lifetime Sportsman’s Permit: covers fishing and hunting for residents
You must physically have your license on your person while fishing. A game warden can legally ask to see it at any time, and failing to produce it can result in a citation. A digital copy on your phone is acceptable, but make sure it is accessible before you enter the water.
Pro Tip: Arkansas designates specific Free Fishing Days each year when all anglers can fish without a license. Check the AGFC website for the current year’s dates — these are great days to bring a first-time spearfisher along.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Arkansas
Arkansas draws a clear line between game fish and rough fish when it comes to spearfishing. Game fish — species like bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish — are subject to seasonal restrictions and species-specific prohibitions. Rough fish face far fewer restrictions and can be taken year-round in approved waters.
Spearfishing game fish such as trout, walleye, and bass is legal in Arkansas from June 15 through March 15, sunrise to sunset, in the following waters: Beaver, Blue Mountain, Bull Shoals, Catherine, Conway, DeGray, DeQueen, Dierks, Erling, Gillham, Greers Ferry, Greeson, Hamilton, Harris Brake, Millwood, Nimrod, Norfork, Ouachita, and Table Rock lakes, and all impoundments created by the locks and dams on the Arkansas River.
However, several species carry additional restrictions on specific lakes:
- Spearfishing for largemouth, spotted, or smallmouth bass is not allowed in lakes Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Table Rock.
- Spearfishing for smallmouth bass is not permitted on Lake Ouachita.
- The taking of flathead catfish is prohibited from March 15 through July 15.
Spearfishing season for flathead catfish is open July 15 through March 15. Outside of that window, flathead catfish must not be taken or possessed while spearfishing.
| Species | Legal to Spear? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Yes (in season) | Standard game fish limits apply |
| Crappie | Yes (in season) | Standard game fish limits apply |
| Trout | Yes (in season) | Trout permit required to retain |
| Largemouth/Spotted/Smallmouth Bass | Restricted | Prohibited at Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Table Rock; smallmouth also prohibited at Ouachita |
| Flathead Catfish | Seasonal | Prohibited March 15–July 15 |
| Rough Fish (carp, buffalo, drum) | Yes (year-round) | No seasonal restriction on approved waters |
| Paddlefish | No | Paddlefish may only be taken by snagging under a special permit |
For a comparison of how species restrictions work in other states, see the rules for Minnesota and Virginia, where the legal species lists differ significantly from Arkansas.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Arkansas
Arkansas law restricts spearfishing to spear guns only. The AGFC does not extend spearfishing rules to other alternative methods like gigging, which is governed by entirely separate regulations. It is unlawful to gig game fish or to possess game fish when gigging. Gigging is restricted to rough fish in most Arkansas waters, so do not confuse the two methods.
Spearfishers must abide by length and slot limits and may not have a spear gun in public waters other than those specified above. This means you cannot carry your spear gun onto a lake that is not on the approved list — even if you do not intend to use it. Possession on non-approved waters is itself a potential violation.
Spearfishers must complete spearfishing activities and leave the body of water where fish were taken before cleaning or dressing fish. You cannot clean your catch in the water or at the water’s edge before exiting — you must fully leave the body of water first.
Important Note: There is no specific AGFC rule requiring a dive flag in Arkansas freshwater, but using one is strongly recommended for your safety and to alert boaters to your presence underwater.
Spearfishing from a boat is not explicitly prohibited by AGFC rules, but all activity must take place within approved waters and during legal hours (sunrise to sunset). Night spearfishing for game fish is not permitted under the current season rules.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Arkansas
The most important rule to understand about Arkansas spearfishing is that it is only legal on a specific list of waters. Any lake, river, stream, or pond not on that approved list is effectively a no-spearfishing zone. This is the opposite of how many states handle it — Arkansas starts from a position of prohibition and carves out exceptions, rather than allowing spearfishing broadly with a few restrictions.
Rivers and streams are a clear example. Gaffing, hogging, noodling, yo-yo fishing, and spearfishing are prohibited on certain flowing waters in Arkansas. Even on the Arkansas River, where snagging is permitted in limited zones, spearfishing follows the impoundment rules — only the lock-and-dam impoundments are included in the approved list, not the free-flowing river itself.
Several specific no-spearfishing contexts worth knowing:
- Any lake not on the AGFC’s approved spearfishing list
- All rivers and streams (spearfishing is lake/impoundment only)
- Community fishing ponds and Family Fishing Program waters (rod/pole only)
- Waters designated as catch-and-release only or artificial lure only
- Trout catch-and-release zones on tailwaters
Spearfishing in Arkansas is also exclusively a freshwater activity, so any federal or state wildlife refuges, national park waters, and similar protected areas follow their own federal rules — which generally prohibit spearfishing entirely. The Buffalo National River, for example, is managed by the National Park Service, and limblines may not be used within the boundaries of Buffalo River National Park — a signal that alternative fishing methods face additional federal scrutiny in that corridor.
You can also compare how off-limits zones are structured in neighboring states by reviewing the Pennsylvania spearfishing laws guide, where river and stream restrictions follow a similar pattern.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Arkansas
One of the most significant regulatory changes in recent years directly affected spearfishing bag limits. The AGFC removed the “half the game fish daily limit, or the lesser number nearest half” rule while spearfishing as of January 1, 2025. This means spearfishers are now subject to the same statewide daily limits as rod-and-reel anglers — a straightforward and more permissive change.
Statewide daily limits for the most commonly targeted species, as established by the AGFC, include:
| Species | Daily Limit | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth combined) | 10 | 10 inches (12 inches in Ozark Zone) |
| Smallmouth Bass | 4 (included in black bass limit) | 12 inches (Ozark Zone) |
| Crappie (black and white combined) | 30 | 9 inches |
| Catfish (channel and blue combined) | 10 | No statewide minimum |
| Flathead Catfish | 5 | No statewide minimum |
| Walleye | 8 | 18 inches (Beaver Lake and tributaries) |
| Bream/Bluegill | 30 | No statewide minimum (no limit under 4 inches) |
| Rough Fish (carp, buffalo, drum) | No limit | No minimum |
Spearfishers must abide by length and slot limits on every approved water body. Some lakes carry special regulations that are stricter than the statewide baseline — for example, at Beaver Lake, it is legal to take game fish except largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass with spear guns during season. Always check the water-specific rules in the AGFC Fishing Guidebook for the lake you plan to dive.
Possession limits are typically double the daily limit for most species. The daily limit is the total limit of a certain fish species that may be taken in one day. The possession limit is the total limit of a certain fish species that is in your possession at any time, whether on your person or stored in another location.
Pro Tip: The 2025 change removing the “half daily limit” rule for spearfishing was a meaningful upgrade. If you have been spearfishing in Arkansas for years under the old half-limit rule, you now have access to the full statewide daily limit — the same as any rod-and-reel angler.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Arkansas
Violating AGFC spearfishing regulations is a serious matter. The commission operates a tiered penalty system that can result in fines, jail time, gear confiscation, and long-term loss of hunting and fishing privileges.
Unless otherwise noted, upon conviction, a Class 1 Offense carries a fine of $100 to $1,000 and a jail sentence of 0 to 30 days. In lieu of a jail sentence, the court may impose community service. The court may also suspend or revoke that person’s hunting and fishing rights, privileges, and related licenses.
Common spearfishing violations and their consequences include:
- Fishing without a license: Fishing without a valid license in Arkansas is classified as a misdemeanor offense. Upon being caught, violators may face several penalties, including financial and criminal repercussions.
- Gear confiscation: Law enforcement officers have the authority to confiscate your fishing gear, including rods, reels, and tackle, if you are apprehended fishing without a proper license. The same applies to spear guns used in violation of regulations.
- Point accumulation and license revocation: Accumulating 18 or more violation points within a 5-year period can lead to the suspension or revocation of your hunting and fishing rights, privileges, and related licenses by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
- Interstate consequences: Individuals who are repeat offenders or have committed severe violations may experience long-term or lifetime revocation of their hunting and fishing privileges in Arkansas and other states participating in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Spearfishing in a closed season, targeting prohibited species, possessing a spear gun on non-approved waters, or exceeding bag limits all fall under AGFC enforcement. The Commission reserves the sole authority to assign violation points for violations of Commission regulations and to administratively suspend or revoke hunting and fishing rights, privileges, and related licenses as a remedial action for the protection of the wildlife resources of the state.
Arkansas also participates in broader wildlife law enforcement frameworks. If you hold hunting or fishing licenses in other states, a serious violation in Arkansas can affect your privileges elsewhere. The stakes go well beyond a single fine.
For context on how Arkansas compares to other states in terms of hunting and fishing enforcement, see the hunting laws in Arkansas overview. If you are also interested in other alternative fishing methods regulated by the AGFC, the bow hunting laws in Arkansas guide covers bowfishing rules in detail. Anglers curious about how Florida handles its much broader spearfishing framework can compare at the spearfishing laws in Florida guide.
Important Note: Arkansas regulations are subject to change at each AGFC Commission meeting. The Commission reserves the right to close seasons, and all regulations, dates, and limits summarized in a guidebook are subject to change. Always verify current rules at agfc.com/regulations before your trip.