Spearfishing Laws in Colorado: What You Can and Cannot Do Underwater
May 31, 2026
Spearfishing in Colorado is a niche but growing sport, and it is entirely legal — as long as you know the rules before you get in the water. Unlike most fishing methods, spearfishing comes with a separate layer of regulations that govern where you can dive, what you can target, and what equipment you are allowed to use.
Colorado is a landlocked state with no ocean access, but its reservoirs, lakes, and plains waters offer real opportunities for underwater anglers. Getting those details wrong, however, can cost you your fishing privileges and result in significant fines. This guide walks you through every major regulation you need to understand before picking up a speargun in the Centennial State.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Colorado
Spearfishing in Colorado is permitted, but it comes with a set of guidelines that enthusiasts must follow. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is the governing body that oversees these regulations, ensuring that spearfishing activities do not harm the state’s aquatic ecosystems.
In Colorado, “fishing” is defined broadly to include hook and line, handline, trot-line, jugs, archery, and spearfishing. That means spearfishing is treated as a legal fishing method under state law, subject to the same licensing framework and species protections as any other form of angling.
The rules specify the types of fish that can be targeted, the areas where spearfishing is allowed, and the times of year when this activity is permitted. Because these rules vary by water body and species, you should always check the specific regulations for the exact location you plan to dive.
Pro Tip: Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes an annual fishing brochure with all current spearfishing rules. You can access the digital version through the My CPW app or download it directly from cpw.state.co.us before every outing.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Colorado
Colorado is entirely landlocked, so saltwater spearfishing is not applicable within the state. Every body of water available to spearfishers in Colorado is freshwater — rivers, reservoirs, high-alpine lakes, and plains impoundments. This means the entire regulatory framework you need to understand is built around freshwater environments.
Underwater spearfishing, archery, slingbows, and gigs may be used statewide for the taking of carp and northern pike, except as prohibited by specific regulations or land management agencies. This statewide baseline applies across Colorado’s freshwater bodies, but additional location-specific rules can expand or restrict those defaults.
East of the Continental Divide, gizzard shad and white or longnose suckers may also be taken by spearfishing, unless otherwise prohibited in the Special Regulations section for specific fishing waters. If you plan to dive west of the Continental Divide, those two additional species are not available targets under the statewide rule.
Key Insight: The Continental Divide is a meaningful boundary in Colorado spearfishing law. Your legal target species list depends in part on which side of that divide your chosen water body sits.
Colorado’s mountain lakes and reservoirs can be cold and murky, which affects visibility and technique. Colorado is an offbeat place to spearfish — the water is often cold and murky, so the endeavor involves less tropical glamour and more outdoor ruggedness. Planning for those conditions with appropriate gear is as important as understanding the regulations themselves. You may also want to review wildlife removal laws in Colorado to understand the broader framework CPW uses to manage aquatic and terrestrial species together.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Colorado
All anglers aged 16 and older must possess a valid fishing license, with exceptions during free fishing days on the first full weekend in June. Since spearfishing is classified as fishing under Colorado law, the same licensing requirement applies to you whether you are using a rod or a speargun.
The current fishing season runs from March 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Getting your Colorado fishing license is straightforward. You can purchase it online at cpw.state.co.us/buy-apply and carry a digital version on the My CPW app. Hundreds of retailers, including sporting goods stores and bait shops across the state, also sell licenses.
To qualify for a resident fishing license, you must have lived in Colorado for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to purchase. License fees for the 2026 season include additional surcharges: a Habitat Stamp ($12.76) is required for anglers ages 18–64 in addition to the fishing license.
- Resident fishing license — available to those with six or more months of Colorado residency
- Nonresident fishing license — required for visitors; available online, via app, or at retail agents
- Habitat Stamp — required for anglers ages 18–64 regardless of residency status
- Youth anglers under 16 — no license required under state law
One of the best ways to get started is by participating in Free Fishing Days, held annually on the first full weekend of June. On these days, residents and nonresidents can fish without a license or Habitat Stamp, though all other rules and bag limits still apply.
No separate spearfishing-specific permit is required at the state level beyond the standard fishing license, but some individual water bodies managed by local agencies or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may have their own access requirements. Always verify with the managing agency for the specific water you plan to dive. You can also explore how Colorado handles other animal-related permits and import laws to get a sense of how CPW structures its licensing programs.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Colorado
Colorado does not allow open-season spearfishing on all fish. The law takes a targeted approach, permitting spearfishing for specific species while protecting game fish — particularly trout — from underwater take.
Species You Can Legally Target
Underwater spearfishing may be used statewide for carp and northern pike. East of the Continental Divide, gizzard shad and white or longnose suckers may also be taken. These are primarily non-native or invasive species, and CPW’s policy of permitting spearfishing for them reflects a conservation goal of reducing their populations.
In Colorado, you can spearfish for northern pike and carp — invasive species that often take over the habitat of more desirable native species like trout. At Green Mountain Reservoir outside of Silverthorne, spearfishers — along with other anglers — can receive a $20 bounty for each northern pike they turn in to CPW in an effort to knock down the population of this predatory fish.
Other fish may also be taken by spearfishing when specifically authorized for individual waters in the regulations section. For example, at certain designated reservoirs, underwater spearfishing is allowed for channel, blue, and flathead catfish with an aggregate bag and possession limit of 5, and for wiper with a bag and possession limit of 5.
Species Prohibited from Spearfishing
Underwater spearfishing is permitted for specific species east of the Continental Divide, excluding lake trout, and requires adherence to safety protocols. Trout species — including rainbow, brown, cutthroat, brook, and lake trout — are protected from spearfishing under Colorado’s general regulations. These are the state’s most prized game fish and are subject to the strictest protections.
| Species Category | Spearfishing Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carp | Legal statewide | No bag limit in most waters |
| Northern Pike | Legal statewide | Bounty program at some reservoirs |
| Gizzard Shad | Legal east of Continental Divide | Check local special regulations |
| White/Longnose Suckers | Legal east of Continental Divide | Check local special regulations |
| Catfish/Wiper | Legal at designated waters only | Bag limit of 5 applies |
| Trout (all species) | Prohibited | Lake trout explicitly excluded |
| Kokanee Salmon | Prohibited by spear | Archery/slingbow allowed where snagging permitted |
| Walleye, Bass, Panfish | Prohibited by spear | Not authorized under statewide rules |
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Colorado
Colorado’s spearfishing gear rules are specific and non-negotiable. Using prohibited equipment is a violation even if you are targeting a legal species in a legal water body.
Prohibited Equipment
CO2 guns or cartridge-powered spears are prohibited. Guns must be loaded and unloaded while the gun is submerged. This rule eliminates pneumatic spearguns powered by compressed gas cartridges. You must use a band-powered or rubber-band speargun that is charged and discharged entirely underwater.
CO2 guns or cartridge-powered spears are not allowed for spearfishing in Colorado. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood restrictions for divers coming from ocean spearfishing backgrounds, where CO2-assisted guns are widely used.
Required Safety Equipment
Divers must stay within a radius of 100 feet of a float bearing the National Divers’ Symbol. This is a mandatory safety requirement, not a suggestion. The float serves as a visual marker for surface watercraft, alerting boaters that a diver is below.
Spears must be attached by a safety line not to exceed 10 feet in length. The safety line prevents a fired spear from traveling beyond a controlled distance and protects other water users from injury.
- Band-powered or rubber-powered spearguns — legal
- CO2 or cartridge-powered spearguns — prohibited
- National Divers’ Symbol float — required within 100 feet at all times
- Safety line on spear — required, maximum 10 feet in length
- Guns loaded or unloaded above water — prohibited
Important Note: Colorado’s speargun rules are designed around freshwater safety conditions. If you are accustomed to ocean spearfishing gear, review CPW’s gear regulations carefully before your first Colorado dive — your standard ocean setup may not be compliant.
Archery and Slingbows
Bow anglers are advised to reference the current State Recreation Lands brochure for regulations on waters that allow archery fishing. Underwater spearfishing, archery, slingbows, and gigs may be used statewide for carp and northern pike.
Archery and slingbows may be used to take kokanee if a water is otherwise open to snagging. In such cases, bows must have a reel, fishing line, and arrow attached to the bow, and must have an arrow safety-slide mechanism that keeps the fishing line in front of the arrow at all times.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Colorado
Even where spearfishing is generally permitted, specific water bodies and zones carry additional restrictions that can prohibit the activity entirely or limit it to certain areas.
Fly-Fishing-Only and Catch-and-Release Waters
Some waters in Colorado are designated as fly fishing only. On these waters, only flies may be used — meaning artificial flies tied on a single hook. Spinning gear, bait, and lures are prohibited. Spearfishing is likewise prohibited on fly-fishing-only waters, since it is not a fly-based method of take.
Catch-and-release-only designations also effectively prohibit spearfishing, since the method is incompatible with live release. Catch-and-release regulations vary widely across Colorado. Some waters require all fish to be released immediately.
Private Property and Streambed Access
Colorado’s property access laws add another layer of complexity for spearfishers. In Colorado, the landowner owns the streambed, not the public. That single fact shapes nearly every fishing access rule in the state.
Even if a river is navigable and flowing, anglers do not have the right to touch the bottom, banks, or cross private land without permission unless there is a public easement or access point. For spearfishers, who must physically enter the water and interact with the streambed, this rule is especially significant. Diving in a river or lake that flows through private land without explicit permission constitutes trespassing.
Crossing private land to reach water, even briefly, is trespassing. Always confirm that your access point to any water body is through public land or a designated public access easement before entering the water. For more context on how Colorado handles animal and wildlife laws on private property, see our guide on neighbor and property-related animal laws in Colorado.
Federal and State Wildlife Areas
Colorado Parks and Wildlife sets forth specific regulations for spearfishing, including licensing requirements, legal species, and restricted areas. Familiarizing yourself with these regulations is the first step in ensuring a safe and responsible spearfishing experience. Spearfishing is only allowed in certain waters, and some species are protected from spearfishing altogether.
National parks, national monuments, and some state wildlife areas maintain their own restrictions that go beyond CPW’s baseline rules. Waters within Rocky Mountain National Park, for example, are subject to National Park Service regulations that generally prohibit spearfishing entirely. Always check with the land management agency responsible for the specific water body before diving.
Common Mistake: Assuming that because a reservoir is open to fishing, it is automatically open to spearfishing. Always verify that the specific water body permits spearfishing and does not carry a fly-only, artificial-lure-only, or other restrictive designation.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Colorado
Bag limits for spearfishing in Colorado follow the same statewide framework as rod-and-reel fishing, with one important modification specific to underwater take.
Reduced Bag Limits for Spearfishing Game Fish
The daily bag and possession limit for game fish with established limits, when taken by underwater spearfishing, is 2 fish. This is a significant reduction from the standard statewide bag limits that apply to rod-and-reel anglers. If you are targeting a species that has an established daily limit under general regulations, your spearfishing limit is capped at 2 fish per day regardless of what the standard limit is.
Any fish taken and placed on a stringer, in a container, or in a live well — or not returned to the water immediately — counts as part of the established daily bag or possession limit. Any fish taken and subsequently smoked, canned, frozen, or otherwise preserved for consumption is considered part of the established possession limit until it is consumed.
Species-Specific Limits
For species with no established general bag limit, such as carp and northern pike in most waters, spearfishers are not subject to a numerical cap under the statewide rule. However, water-specific special regulations can impose limits even on these species.
At designated reservoirs where catfish and wiper spearfishing is authorized, the aggregate bag and possession limit for channel, blue, and flathead catfish is 5, and the bag and possession limit for wiper is 5.
| Species | Statewide Spearfishing Bag Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carp | No statewide limit | Check individual water special regs |
| Northern Pike | No statewide limit | Bounty program at select reservoirs |
| Gizzard Shad / Suckers | No statewide limit (east of divide) | Check individual water special regs |
| Catfish (channel/blue/flathead) | 5 aggregate (designated waters only) | Not legal statewide by spear |
| Wiper | 5 (designated waters only) | Not legal statewide by spear |
| Any game fish with established limits | 2 fish per day | Reduced limit applies to spearfishing specifically |
Possession and Release Rules
Any fish you do not intend to keep must be released alive immediately into the same body of water. This rule applies equally to spearfishers. If you strike a fish that is not a legal target species, you are required to return it to the water immediately. Possession of a prohibited species — even temporarily — can constitute a violation.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Colorado
Colorado takes fishing violations seriously, and spearfishing infractions are no exception. Penalties range from fines and license suspension to civil liability for the value of unlawfully taken wildlife.
License Violations and Fishing Without Authorization
Fishing — including spearfishing — without a valid license is a violation enforceable by CPW officers. Any person who hunts, traps, fishes, or possesses wildlife for any purpose shall, when requested to do so by an officer of the division of parks and wildlife or other peace officer, produce all applicable licenses issued to them. Failure to produce a valid license can result in a citation and fine.
License Suspension
CPW can cite persons for fishing or hunting while suspended. Those suspensions carry an automatic two-year extension to an existing suspension. If your fishing privileges are already under suspension and you spearfish anyway, the penalty compounds automatically.
Suspensions are administered through a formal hearing process. Hearings are held at a CPW office nearest to the individual’s last known residence, but the licensee can request a different CPW office if more convenient. Non-residents may request that a hearing be conducted by phone.
Civil Recovery for Unlawfully Taken Wildlife
The division may bring and maintain a civil action against any person, in the name of the people of the state, to recover possession or value — or both — of any wildlife taken in violation of Colorado wildlife statutes. This means that if you spearfish a protected species such as trout, CPW can pursue civil recovery for the monetary value of that fish on top of any criminal fine.
Common Violations and Their Consequences
- Spearfishing without a valid license — citation, fine, possible suspension
- Taking a prohibited species (e.g., trout) — fine plus civil recovery of wildlife value
- Using a CO2 or cartridge-powered speargun — illegal gear citation and fine
- Diving without the required float or safety line — gear violation citation
- Exceeding bag limits — fine and possible license suspension
- Spearfishing in a no-spearfishing zone — citation, fine, possible suspension
- Fishing on private property without permission — trespassing charge in addition to any fishing violation
Important Note: CPW wildlife officers have broad authority to inspect your gear, catch, and license at any time while you are on or near the water. Cooperating fully and carrying your license at all times is both a legal requirement and a practical safeguard.
Colorado’s penalty structure is designed to deter violations rather than simply generate revenue. Colorado has modified the amount of certain fines and the disposition of money collected from fines for violations of laws enforced by the division of parks and wildlife. Fine amounts can change as the legislature updates the wildlife code, so checking the most current CPW enforcement schedule before your outing is a sound practice.
Understanding Colorado’s wildlife laws more broadly can help you stay compliant across all your outdoor activities. If you are active in the state’s outdoors, it is worth reviewing related regulations such as animal cruelty laws in Colorado and outdoor cat laws in Colorado to see how CPW and local agencies work together to protect wildlife. For those interested in how other states approach similar outdoor regulations, our coverage of dog leash laws in California and dog leash laws in Arizona illustrates how regulatory frameworks differ across the West.
Spearfishing in Colorado rewards preparation. The species you can legally target, the gear you are allowed to use, and the waters open to you all depend on reading the current CPW regulations for your specific destination. Always check the regulations for the specific water you are fishing — that single habit will keep you legal, protect Colorado’s fisheries, and ensure the sport remains available for future divers. For the most current rules, visit eRegulations Colorado or download the official 2026 fishing brochure directly from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.