Spearfishing Laws in Iowa: What You Can and Cannot Do in the Hawkeye State
August 1, 2026
Iowa may be landlocked, but its rivers, lakes, and reservoirs give anglers and spearfishers plenty of water to work with. If you have been wondering whether you can legally spear fish in Iowa, the short answer is yes — but only for a specific list of nongame and rough fish species, and only in waters and circumstances the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permits.
Understanding exactly what the law allows before you enter the water is not optional — it is the difference between a productive day on the river and a costly citation. This guide walks you through every major rule governing spearfishing in Iowa, from legal species and gear requirements to no-spearing zones and the penalties that follow violations.
Pro Tip: Always download the current Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet from the Iowa DNR website before your trip. Rules are updated annually, and site-specific closures can change between seasons.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Iowa?
Yes, spearfishing is legal in Iowa, but it comes with strict boundaries. You can take nongame fish and frogs by bow and arrow and spear with a valid sport fishing license. This means spearing is not a free-for-all — it is tightly restricted to a defined list of rough and nongame fish, and you must hold a current Iowa fishing license to do it legally.
Iowa does not permit spearfishing for sport fish such as walleye, bass, northern pike, or trout. The DNR draws a clear line between nongame species that may be taken by alternative methods and game fish that must be caught by hook and line. All other species of fish not hooked in the mouth, except paddlefish legally taken by snagging, must be returned to the water immediately with as little injury as possible.
Iowa is a freshwater-only state with no saltwater coastline, so all spearfishing activity takes place in inland rivers, lakes, and reservoirs or along the state’s border waters. If you are curious how neighboring states handle these rules, see our guides on spearfishing laws in Minnesota and spearfishing laws in Illinois for comparison.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Iowa
Iowa is entirely landlocked, so there are no saltwater spearfishing rules to consider. Every body of water in the state — from the Mississippi River on the eastern border to the Missouri River on the west — falls under Iowa’s freshwater regulations administered by the Iowa DNR.
That said, Iowa’s freshwater system is diverse enough to create distinct regulatory environments. Inland lakes and rivers follow the standard statewide rules, while boundary waters shared with neighboring states carry additional considerations. Fish privileges on boundary waters common to Iowa and an adjoining state are mutually agreed upon by the neighboring states. An angler with a valid fishing license may fish boundary waters common to Iowa, but it is the angler’s responsibility to know which state you are fishing in and the regulations that apply to the water you are fishing.
Bow fishing and spearing are allowed on public lakes, reservoirs and rivers, private ponds with permission and border waters. If you plan to spear on private water, you must have the landowner’s written permission before you enter. Some state parks, federal refuges and lakes controlled by city and county governments may have additional regulations specific to bow fishing and spearing.
Key Insight: If you spear on the Mississippi River, you are fishing a boundary water shared with Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri. Know which state’s bank you are closest to, because the applicable regulations may differ from Iowa’s inland rules.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Iowa
A valid Iowa fishing license is the baseline requirement for anyone who wants to spear fish in the state. Iowa residents 16 years old or older are required to have a fishing license to fish or otherwise legally take, use, have possession of or transport species of fish from inland waters and boundary rivers of Iowa.
A fishing license is required for residents and nonresidents aged 16 and older, with specific exceptions, and various license types and fees are outlined. Residents under 16 can spear nongame fish without a license, though they may still need a trout fee if trout are present and they intend to possess them. Residents under sixteen years of age can fish without a license, but may need to purchase a trout fee.
There is no separate spearfishing permit in Iowa. Your standard sport fishing license covers spearing of authorized nongame species. You can purchase a license online through the Go Outdoors Iowa portal, through local bait shops, or at sporting goods retailers statewide. The quickest way to get your license and start fishing is to buy your Iowa fishing license online. Fishing licenses can also be purchased in person from a fishing license sales agent, bait shops and sporting goods stores.
| Angler Category | License Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident, age 16+ | Yes | Annual or short-term license options available |
| Nonresident, age 16+ | Yes | Nonresident annual or multi-day license required |
| Resident or nonresident under 16 | No | Trout fee may still apply |
| Active-duty military (Iowa resident, on leave) | No | Must carry leave papers and earnings statement |
| Landowner or tenant fishing own land | No | Children under 18 also exempt on that land |
Special license categories exist for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. Annual free fishing or combination hunting and fishing licenses are available to residents of Iowa, 65 years or older with low income, or residents permanently disabled with low income. Contact the Iowa DNR Central Office at (515) 725-8200 for assistance with these programs.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Iowa
This is the most important section to understand before you enter the water. Iowa law names a specific list of fish that may be taken by spear, and any species not on that list is off-limits to spearing — no exceptions.
The following species of fish may be taken by snagging, spearing, and bow and arrow: common carp, bighead carp, grass carp, silver carp, black carp, bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, black buffalo, quillback carpsucker, highfin carpsucker, river carpsucker, spotted sucker, white sucker, shorthead redhorse, golden redhorse, silver redhorse, sheepshead, shortnose gar, longnose gar, dogfish, gizzard shad, and goldfish. All other species of fish not hooked in the mouth, except paddlefish legally taken by snagging, must be returned to the water immediately with as little injury as possible.
In plain terms, you can legally spear rough fish and invasive carp species. You cannot spear walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, trout, or any other game fish. Paddlefish may be taken by snagging only — not by spear. If you accidentally spear a game fish, you must release it immediately with as little harm as possible.
- Legal to spear: Common carp, bighead carp, silver carp, grass carp, black carp, buffalo species, sucker species, redhorse species, sheepshead (freshwater drum), gar species, bowfin (dogfish), gizzard shad, goldfish
- Not legal to spear: Walleye, bass, northern pike, muskie, crappie, bluegill, catfish, trout, perch, sauger, and all other game or sport fish
- Snagging only (no spearing): Paddlefish
For a comparison of how other Midwestern states approach legal spearing species, see our breakdowns of spearfishing laws in Ohio, spearfishing laws in Indiana, and spearfishing laws in Michigan.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Iowa
Iowa does not publish a detailed list of approved spear types (such as pole spears vs. spearguns), but the general framework governing alternative take methods applies. Your gear must be used to take only authorized nongame species, and you must hold a valid fishing license while doing so.
A valid fishing license is required when taking fish with a bow unless a specific exemption applies. Only take species legally authorized for harvest. Protected or game species remain off-limits. The same principle applies to spearing — your equipment does not change which species you are legally allowed to harvest.
One gear rule that crosses over from snagging regulations is worth noting: you cannot use a gaffe hook or other penetrating device to help you land any snagged fish. This prohibition on penetrating landing devices reflects the DNR’s broader intent to limit incidental injury to fish during alternative take methods.
Night spearing is a gray area in Iowa. These species may also be taken by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night except for those areas identified as restricted zones. This means nighttime spearing of authorized rough fish species is generally allowed in open waters, but you must confirm no site-specific closure applies to your location before going out after dark.
Important Note: Iowa’s regulations do not explicitly address scuba-assisted spearfishing. If you plan to spear while diving, contact the Iowa DNR directly at (515) 725-8200 to confirm whether your intended method is lawful before you enter the water.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Iowa
Even where spearing is generally legal, Iowa designates specific locations where snagging, bow and arrow fishing, and spearing are all prohibited. You need to know these zones before you plan your trip.
According to the Iowa DNR via eRegulations, snagging, bow and arrow fishing and spearing is not permitted in the following areas: from the Ventura Grade roadway, jetties and bridges of Clear Lake and Ventura Marsh; within 300 feet of the concrete culvert and metal fish barrier of Lost Island Lake Inlet; within 300 feet of the outlet and metal fish barrier of Lost Island Lake Outlet; within 300 feet of the outlet and metal fish barrier of Barringer Slough.
Additional no-spearing zones include:
- Iowa River from directly below the Coralville Dam to 300 yards downstream
- Chariton River from directly below Lake Rathbun Dam to 300 yards downstream
- Skunk River, from directly below the Oakland Mills Dam to the downstream end of the 253rd Street boat ramp
- Spillway area from directly below the Spirit Lake outlet to the confluence at East Okoboji Lake
- Beginning at 230th Avenue and extending downstream to the signed Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District property line of Lower Gar Lake outlet
The Missouri River, any Missouri River tributary beginning at its confluence and extending below its Interstate 29 bridge, and the Big Sioux River from the Interstate 29 bridge to the confluence with the Missouri River are also restricted, with the exception of snagging paddlefish and rough fish during the open season.
The reasoning behind these closures matters. Prohibiting snagging and bow and arrow and spear fishing at these locations protects water quality and ensures an enjoyable environment for other anglers. Fish barriers installed to control invasive carp are particularly sensitive areas — spearing near them can both damage the infrastructure and undermine conservation efforts. Iowa’s animal-related laws extend well beyond fishing; you can explore other regulations such as leash laws in Iowa and beekeeping laws in Iowa to get a broader picture of how the state manages its wildlife and natural resources.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Iowa
Iowa does not impose a statewide daily bag limit or size limit specifically for the rough fish species authorized for spearing. Common carp, buffalo, gar, bowfin, gizzard shad, and the other nongame species on the legal list can generally be taken without a set daily cap in most open waters.
However, private waters and boundary waters operate under different rules. All anglers on private waters must obey rules and regulations governing fishing, including bag limits, except there is no daily bag limit for bluegill or crappie on private waters. Statewide length limits do not apply on private waters. This exception applies to hook-and-line fishing, but the principle of following posted or property-specific rules also applies when spearing on private ponds with permission.
On border lakes, additional restrictions apply. A 40-inch minimum length limit shall apply on all border lakes. If you are spearing on any of Iowa’s border lakes, check the species-specific rules carefully, as bag and possession limits for those waters differ from inland regulations.
One universal rule that applies regardless of where you spear: no person shall transport or possess on any waters of the state any fish unless the species of any such fish can be readily identified and a portion of the skin (at least 1 square inch) including scales is left on all fish or fillets and the length of fish can be determined when length limits apply. Keep a patch of skin on every fish you harvest until you reach your final processing location.
For context on how neighboring states handle bag and size limits for spearfishing, see our guides on spearfishing laws in Pennsylvania and spearfishing laws in Virginia.
Pro Tip: Even when no statewide bag limit applies to a rough fish species, Iowa DNR conservation officers can still inspect your catch at any time. Conservation officers can request to look at your catch at any time to check for compliance to regulations. Be prepared to identify every fish in your possession.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Iowa
Iowa takes fishing violations seriously, and spearing outside the rules — whether by targeting a prohibited species, fishing in a closed zone, or operating without a license — can result in significant consequences.
Violations may result in civil fines, criminal citations for intentional take of protected species, forfeiture of gear, and suspension of fishing privileges. Penalties scale with severity and whether the violation is intentional. A first-time mistake for a minor infraction will typically result in a civil fine, while deliberately spearing a protected game fish or repeatedly violating closed-zone rules can escalate to criminal charges.
Iowa DNR conservation officers have broad authority to enforce these rules on the water. When requested, you must show your license (printed or saved on your phone) and any required fee to any conservation or law enforcement officer or to the owner or person in legal control of the land or water you are fishing. Refusing to cooperate with an inspection is itself a violation.
If you witness illegal spearing activity or any form of poaching, call the TIP Hotline at (800) 532-2020 or visit the Iowa DNR TIP reporting site and report it immediately. The Turn In Poachers program allows anonymous tips and has helped secure convictions for serious wildlife violations across the state.
| Violation Type | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|
| Spearing without a valid fishing license | Civil fine; license suspension |
| Spearing a prohibited game fish species | Criminal citation; gear forfeiture; license revocation |
| Spearing in a designated no-spearing zone | Civil fine; potential criminal citation |
| Transporting fish without skin for identification | Civil fine |
| Refusing to show license or catch to officer | Separate violation; additional fines |
Iowa’s broader animal and wildlife laws reflect the same enforcement philosophy: regulations exist to protect natural resources for future generations, and violations carry real consequences. If you are navigating other Iowa-specific regulations, our guides on roadkill laws in Iowa, pit bull laws in Iowa, and pet import laws in Iowa cover additional areas where state rules are often misunderstood.
Spearfishing in Iowa is a legal and rewarding pursuit when you follow the rules. Stick to the authorized rough fish species, carry your fishing license, stay out of designated no-spearing zones, and keep a patch of skin on every fish you transport. When in doubt, contact the Iowa DNR directly or consult the current year’s official fishing regulations before heading out.