Michigan is surrounded by more freshwater than almost any other state on the map, making it one of the most tempting destinations for underwater hunters in the country. With four of the five Great Lakes on its borders and thousands of inland lakes and rivers, the spearfishing opportunities here are genuinely unique.
But before you strap on a wetsuit and grab your pole spear, you need to understand exactly what the law allows — and what it does not. Michigan’s spearfishing regulations are detailed, location-specific, and updated annually by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Getting them wrong can cost you your gear, your license, and potentially your freedom.
This guide breaks down every major rule governing spearfishing laws in Michigan so you can hit the water legally and confidently.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Michigan
Yes, spearfishing is legal in Michigan — but it comes with a significant set of conditions that every angler must follow. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the primary authority overseeing fishing activities, including spearfishing. The DNR sets the rules that govern when, where, and how you can spearfish, and those rules are not uniform across the state.
Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act serves as the legislative backbone for these regulations, providing the legal framework within which the DNR operates. This act outlines the general principles of wildlife conservation and management, including the use of Michigan’s waterways for recreational fishing.
The 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations are in effect until March 31, 2027. These are the rules that apply to your spearfishing activity right now, and they include notable expansions to where certain game fish can be targeted underwater. Staying current with the annual fishing digest is essential, since regulations can change from one season to the next.
Key Insight: Spearfishing is permitted in Michigan for both rough fish and select game fish, but the rules differ significantly depending on the waterbody, species, and method you use. Always verify current rules at Michigan.gov/Fishing before heading out.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Michigan
Michigan is an entirely landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so saltwater spearfishing is not a consideration here. All spearfishing in Michigan takes place in freshwater — primarily the Great Lakes, connecting waterways, and inland lakes and rivers.
That said, the rules differ considerably depending on whether you are fishing the Great Lakes system or inland waters. The Great Lakes — including Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and connecting rivers like the St. Clair River and Detroit River — are subject to their own set of spearfishing provisions that allow for more species opportunities than most inland waters.
The expanded regulations allow spearing of Lake Trout, Walleye, and Northern Pike in specific Great Lakes areas, including Lake Michigan waters south of the southernmost pier at Grand Haven, and Lake Huron waters south of the southernmost pier of the Thunder Bay River, extending south to the mouth of the St. Clair River (Fort Gratiot Light).
On inland lakes and rivers, the rules are generally more restrictive. Designated Trout Lakes and Designated Trout Streams are closed to spearfishing. This is a critical distinction for inland divers, since Michigan has an extensive network of designated trout waters where spearing is simply off the table. You should also be aware that fishing in any manner other than hook-and-line is prohibited in National Park sites.
Important Note: Tribal fishing rights also apply in parts of Michigan. Seasons and possession limits for tribal members may differ somewhat from state regulations. In addition, under a permit system, tribal members may use spears and may place impoundment nets on designated public waters. Do not interfere with tribal fishing activities if you encounter them.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Michigan
You cannot legally spearfish in Michigan without the proper licensing in place. The requirements vary depending on the type of spearfishing you plan to do.
All anglers ages 17 and older are required to purchase a fishing license to fish public waters in Michigan; these licenses are good for all species, though additional reporting requirements apply to some species and fishing methods.
As of the 2026 fishing season, the Michigan DNR has published the following standard fishing license fees:
| License Type | Who It Covers | Fee (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License | Michigan residents | $26 (+ $1 surcharge) |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing License | Out-of-state anglers | $76 (+ $1 surcharge) |
| Senior Annual Fishing License | Michigan residents 65+ or legally blind | $11 (+ $1 surcharge) |
| Daily Fishing License | Residents and nonresidents 17+ | $10 per day |
| Underwater Spearfishing License | Anyone targeting Lake Trout, Walleye, or Northern Pike underwater | Free (annual) |
Anglers can purchase an annual fishing license at $26 for Michigan residents or $76 for nonresidents (both carry an additional $1 surcharge), a senior annual fishing license at $11 for Michigan residents 65 and older or residents who are legally blind (with additional $1 surcharge), and a daily fishing license at $10 per day for Michigan residents and nonresidents 17 and older (valid for 24 hours).
If you plan to target game fish like Lake Trout, Northern Pike, or Walleye with an underwater spear, there is an additional requirement. All recreational anglers who intend to engage in underwater spearfishing shall request and be issued a free annual underwater spearfishing license. This license is separate from your standard fishing license and must be obtained before you dive.
There is also a reporting obligation tied to this license. All underwater spearfishing anglers shall provide monthly effort and harvest reports to the Department using an online reporting tool provided by the Department. Skipping these reports is a violation in itself, so make sure you stay on top of the monthly submissions throughout the season.
Pro Tip: You can purchase your fishing license and obtain your free underwater spearfishing license online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. Keep both accessible on your phone or in printed form whenever you are in the water.
Michigan also has other wildlife-related regulations that interact with how the DNR manages aquatic resources, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with the broader legal framework if you spend significant time outdoors in the state.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Michigan
One of the most important things to get right before you enter the water is knowing exactly which fish you are allowed to target. Michigan divides spearable species into rough fish (generally more permissive) and game fish (heavily regulated).
Species generally open to spearfishing in Michigan waters include:
- Carp
- Suckers (longnose, white, northern hog, spotted)
- Redhorse (silver, golden, black, greater, shorthead)
- Buffalo (bigmouth, black)
- Bowfin
- Bullheads
- Burbot
- Catfish
- Freshwater Drum
- Longnose Gar
- Gizzard Shad
- Goldfish and Grass Carp
- Cisco (Lake Herring)
- Smelt
- Whitefish (in designated areas and seasons)
The following designated trout streams are open to the use of spearing gear from April 1 through May 31, inclusive, for taking Bowfin, Bullheads, Burbot, Carp, Catfish, Drum, Longnose Gar, Gizzard Shad, Goldfish, Grass Carp, Cisco (Lake Herring), Smelt, Suckers, and Whitefish.
Game fish like Lake Trout, Northern Pike, and Walleye can be taken with an underwater spear, but only in specific approved waters and only after you have obtained the free underwater spearfishing license. When using an underwater spear, the possession season for Northern Pike shall be July 1 through March 15.
Species that are prohibited or heavily restricted for spearfishing include:
- Muskellunge (prohibited in most waters)
- Bass (largemouth and smallmouth)
- Trout and Salmon species in most inland designated trout waters
- Lake Sturgeon (protected; mandatory harvest registration required)
- Any species in a waterbody closed to fishing
It shall be unlawful to fish by any means other than hook-and-line for Northern Pike or Muskellunge in specific named waters. This list of exception waters is detailed in the Michigan Fishing Regulations digest, so check the county-by-county exceptions before targeting pike or muskie. You can also explore bow hunting laws in Michigan for additional context on how the state regulates alternative harvest methods.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Michigan
Michigan law is specific about which types of spearing equipment you are allowed to use. Not every device that propels a spear is legal, and the rules also govern how gear must be used in the water.
Spearing gear shall be limited to: hand-propelled spear, rubber-propelled spear, spring-propelled spear, bow and arrow, or crossbow. This means pneumatic spearguns or any mechanically powered device not on this list would fall outside the legal definition of permitted gear.
There are also important rules about how certain gear must be deployed:
- It shall be unlawful to use a rubber-propelled spear or a spring-propelled spear without being submerged, and the spear must be attached to a line not exceeding twenty feet in length.
- To use an underwater spear in compliance with the table within this order, the angler/diver shall be fully submerged beneath the water’s surface when attempting to harvest fish.
- Use of artificial breathing devices such as scuba, re-breather, or similar devices shall be prohibited while underwater spearfishing. This means you must freedive — breath-hold only.
- Artificial lights are permitted during legal spearfishing hours.
- Use of bait, attractants, or decoys is prohibited while underwater spearfishing.
Common Mistake: Many divers assume SCUBA gear is allowed for spearfishing since it is legal for recreational diving. In Michigan, this is not the case. Using SCUBA, re-breathers, or any artificial breathing device while spearfishing is a direct violation of state law.
Bow and crossbow fishing from above the surface is also regulated. Anglers should contact local enforcement offices for information concerning local weapons ordinances banning the use of bow and arrow or crossbow in some locations. Municipal and county-level restrictions may apply on top of state rules, especially in populated areas near waterways.
If you are interested in how Michigan regulates other alternative hunting and fishing methods, the state’s coyote hunting laws offer a useful parallel for understanding how gear and method restrictions work across different contexts.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Michigan
Even if you have the right license and the right gear, there are many places in Michigan where spearfishing is completely off-limits. Knowing these restricted zones is just as important as knowing the species rules.
Waters permanently closed to spearfishing include:
- All Designated Trout Lakes (Type A and Type D)
- All Designated Trout Streams (Type 1, 2, Gear Restricted Streams, Brook Trout Restoration Areas, and most Type 3 and 4 streams)
- All National Park sites
- Any waterbody closed to fishing
Designated Trout Lakes and Designated Trout Streams are closed to spearfishing. Michigan has an extensive network of these protected waters, and they are mapped online at Michigan.gov/FishingMaps.
Time-based and location-based restrictions also apply everywhere:
- Underwater spearfishing shall be prohibited daily from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
- This activity shall be prohibited within 150 feet of designated swimming areas, boat docks, boat access or egress sites, and power intake tubes.
- This activity shall be prohibited where placement of a diver-down flag would restrict boater navigation or access to boating access sites.
There are also seasonal port closures. It shall be unlawful to fish by any means other than hook-and-line or to possess bow and spearing gear at the port of Muskegon and the port of Whitehall/Montague from November 1 through November 30. The same restriction applies at the port of Grand Haven from the westernmost pier head extending into Lake Michigan to the US-31 bridge.
Additionally, from April 1 through June 15, inclusive, it shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take any species of fish with spearing gear or gaff hook from certain designated waters. These spring closures are designed to protect spawning fish and vary by county, so reviewing the exceptions list in the current digest is essential.
Michigan’s approach to protecting sensitive zones mirrors how it handles other animal-related laws across the state. For context on how the DNR applies zone-based restrictions in other areas, see the state’s brucellosis laws in Michigan, which similarly use geographic boundaries to manage wildlife health.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Michigan
Bag limits and size limits for spearfishing in Michigan follow the same general framework as hook-and-line fishing for the same species. The key principle is that standard possession limits apply unless a specific exception is noted for spearing.
The species and location-specific size limits and daily possession limits shall apply. This means you cannot use spearfishing as a workaround to exceed the limits that would apply if you were fishing with a rod and reel.
The species and location-specific size limits for Lake Trout, Northern Pike, and Walleye shall apply to all underwater spearfishing activity targeting those game fish. These limits are detailed in the annual fishing digest and can vary by specific waterbody.
Here is a general overview of key size and bag limit rules relevant to spearfishers, based on the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations:
| Species | Possession Season (Underwater Spear) | Size/Bag Limit Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | July 1 – March 15 | Location-specific size limits apply; check digest by county |
| Walleye | Per approved Great Lakes zones | Location-specific limits apply; updated May 1 annually |
| Lake Trout | Per approved Great Lakes zones | Location-specific size and bag limits apply |
| Rough Fish (carp, suckers, etc.) | Per general season rules | Standard possession limits apply |
| Burbot | Per general season rules | Possession limit of 5 per day |
A new regulation category for Walleye applies to Upper Peninsula protected slot limit lakes, and Burbot now has a possession limit of 5 per day. These are among the notable updates in the 2026 regulations that spearfishers targeting those species need to know about.
Michigan bag limits for all four waterbodies are now the same and are updated each year on May 1 and run through the following April. Because limits can shift mid-year, checking the DNR website around May 1 each season is a smart habit. You can also call the DNR information line at 888-367-7060 for the most current possession limit announcements.
Pro Tip: Walleye possession limits on Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River are updated annually. The daily possession limit for Walleye will be updated by May 1 annually, and the daily possession limit will be announced on the Michigan DNR Fishing website and in a prerecorded message at 888-367-7060.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Michigan
Michigan takes fishing violations seriously, and spearfishing violations are no exception. The consequences for breaking the rules can range from fines and equipment forfeiture to jail time and permanent loss of your fishing privileges.
Violators of fishing rules and regulations can face fines, jail time, loss of fishing equipment, and/or revocation of their fishing license. These penalties apply to spearfishing violations just as they do to any other fishing offense under Michigan law.
The specific consequences you face will depend on the nature and severity of the violation:
- Fines: Monetary penalties are the most common outcome for regulatory violations like exceeding bag limits, fishing without a license, or using prohibited gear.
- Equipment forfeiture: In some cases, you may also be required to forfeit your spearfishing equipment — such as a speargun or fish net — to the state.
- Restitution: Violators of spearfishing laws may be required to return any aquatic species that were taken in violation of DNR rules and regulations. This means that not only could you be fined for spearfishing, but you could also be required to pay restitution to the state of Michigan for taking underwater plants and animals without proper authorization.
- License revocation: Repeat or serious violations can result in the loss of your fishing license.
- Jail time: Violations under section 48702a could lead to a fine, jail, or both.
Important Note: Failing to submit your required monthly harvest reports as an underwater spearfishing license holder is itself a reportable violation. Compliance with reporting requirements is part of your legal obligation under the free underwater spearfishing license program.
If you witness illegal spearfishing or any poaching activity, you can report all poaching by calling or texting 800-292-7800. Michigan’s Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline operates around the clock and allows anonymous tips.
Understanding how Michigan enforces its wildlife and animal laws more broadly can help you stay on the right side of the DNR. The state applies similarly firm enforcement standards to other regulated activities — from animal cruelty laws in Michigan to dog leash laws in Michigan — making compliance across all categories important for anyone spending time outdoors in the state.
Spearfishing in Michigan is a rewarding and growing pursuit, but it demands that you do your homework first. Verify your target species, confirm your waters are open, carry your licenses, and submit your monthly reports. When in doubt, check the current Michigan Fishing Regulations directly through the DNR or call 888-367-7060 for the latest updates before every trip.