Spearfishing Laws in Missouri: What’s Legal, What’s Not, and What You Need to Know

Missouri is landlocked, but it holds more than 110,000 miles of streams and over 800,000 acres of lakes — plenty of water to tempt anyone who wants to try spearfishing. Before you grab a spear and wade in, though, you need to understand how Missouri law treats this method of take.

The rules around spearfishing in the Show-Me State are specific, and the consequences for getting them wrong can be costly. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about spearfishing laws in Missouri, from what gear is allowed to which species you can legally target.

Is Spearfishing Legal in Missouri

Spearfishing is legal in Missouri — but only under tightly defined conditions. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) governs all fishing activity in the state, and its regulations draw a clear line between what is permitted and what is not when it comes to alternative take methods.

Certain species in designated waters may be taken by the use of bow, crossbow, gig, atlatl, snare, underwater spearfishing, snagging, or grabbing. That language is important: spearfishing is a recognized legal method in Missouri, but it applies only to certain species and only in certain waters. You cannot simply spear any fish in any lake or river.

Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks, and spears may not be propelled by explosives. This is one of the most critical restrictions in the state’s regulations. If you plan to spearfish in Missouri, your activity must take place on impounded waters — meaning lakes, reservoirs, and ponds — not free-flowing rivers or streams.

Important Note: Missouri does not have any saltwater. All spearfishing in the state occurs in freshwater, and all MDC rules apply to freshwater bodies exclusively. There are no saltwater-specific exemptions or frameworks to consider.

The MDC sets and enforces these rules to protect fish populations, especially game fish species that are vulnerable to overharvest. The Missouri Department of Conservation sets the rules to keep fish populations healthy for everyone, and Missouri fishing laws tell you who can fish, where you can fish, what you can keep, and how you can catch fish.

Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Missouri

Because Missouri is a landlocked state, there is no saltwater spearfishing framework to address. Every body of water in Missouri is freshwater, and every spearfishing rule in the state applies to freshwater environments only. Missouri has some of the most varied and fulfilling freshwater fishing possibilities in the Midwest.

Within the freshwater category, Missouri’s regulations make an important distinction between impounded and unimpounded waters. This distinction is the single most important factor in determining where spearfishing is legal.

• Impounded waters — lakes, reservoirs, and ponds where water is held back by a dam or natural barrier — are where underwater spearfishing may be conducted, subject to species and gear rules.
• Unimpounded waters — free-flowing rivers, streams, and creeks — are off-limits for spearguns. Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks.

This means popular Missouri fishing destinations like the Current River, Eleven Point River, and Missouri River are completely closed to speargun use. If you want to legally spearfish in Missouri, you need to be on a lake or reservoir. Always verify the specific water body’s classification before you gear up, since some areas that look like lakes may have special designations under MDC rules.

Pro Tip: When in doubt about whether a water body qualifies as “impounded,” check the MDC’s official fishing regulations page or contact your local MDC office before your trip.

Missouri also manages several designated trout waters — Blue Ribbon Trout Areas and trout parks — with their own special restrictions. Gigging and the use of an atlatl are prohibited on trout-designated waters, and fish taken by these methods may not be possessed on these waters or their banks. The same logic applies to other alternative take methods including spearfishing on these waters.

License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Missouri

Spearfishing in Missouri is treated as a sport fishing method, which means the standard fishing permit requirements apply. All individuals age 16 and older must possess a valid fishing permit to take fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, and live bait, unless specifically exempt.

There is no separate spearfishing-specific permit in Missouri. Your standard fishing permit covers the activity, as long as you comply with all applicable rules for gear, species, and location.

2026 Permit Fees

For 2026, a Missouri resident annual fishing permit costs $14, a nonresident annual permit is $57, and a daily permit runs $9 for both groups. The Missouri Department of Conservation rolled out price increases effective January 2026, along with a brand-new Nonresident Trout Permit priced at $24.

Permit Type	Resident	Non-Resident
Annual Fishing Permit	$14	$57
Daily Fishing Permit	$9	$9
Trout Permit (outside trout parks)	$12	$24 (new for 2026)
Youth Trout Permit	$6	$6

Since spearfishing in Missouri targets nongame fish (see the species section below), you will not typically need a trout permit for spearfishing purposes. However, if you plan to fish for any species in the same outing using other methods, make sure you hold all required permits for those species as well.

Who Is Exempt

Persons age 15 and younger, resident or nonresident, are exempt from a general fishing permit. Missouri residents age 65 or older are exempt from the general fishing permit, but may still require a Trout Permit or prescribed-area daily tags.

Missouri residents are exempt if they are permanently unable to move without the aid of a wheelchair; have corrected vision of 20/200 or less; have 20 degrees or less of visual concentric contraction; or are diagnosed with cerebral palsy or a mental disability and are accompanied by a licensed adult angler.

You can purchase your permit online at mdc.mo.gov/permits/fishing-permits, through the free MO Fishing app, or at retail vendors including Walmart and Bass Pro Shops. All anglers are required to carry their permit and photo ID while fishing and to present them upon request by any MDC conservation agent.

Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Missouri

This is where Missouri’s spearfishing rules get particularly specific. The state draws a firm line between game fish and nongame fish, and that distinction determines what you can legally spear.

Nongame Fish: Legal Spearfishing Targets

Nongame fish include bluegill, green sunfish, carp, carpsuckers, suckers, buffalo, drum, and all species other than alligator gar, those defined as game fish, or species listed as endangered. These are the species you may legally target with underwater spearfishing gear in designated waters.

Common legal spearfishing targets in Missouri impounded waters include:

• Common carp
• Bighead carp and silver carp (invasive species)
• Buffalo (bigmouth, smallmouth, and black)
• Drum (freshwater)
• Suckers and carpsuckers
• Gizzard shad
• Bowfin (subject to special handling rules)

There is no limit on goldfish and bighead, common, grass, and silver carp. This makes invasive carp species a particularly open target for spearfishers, and many Missouri anglers use spearing as a conservation-minded tool to help control these populations.

Game Fish: Off-Limits for Spearing

Game fish may not be taken by spear in Missouri. Game fish not hooked in the mouth or jaw must be returned to the water unharmed immediately, except paddlefish legally taken during the paddlefish snagging season. Spearing game fish — even accidentally — is a violation.

Game fish you cannot legally spear include:

• Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass
• Crappie (black and white)
• Walleye and sauger
• Channel, blue, and flathead catfish
• Paddlefish
• Striped bass and hybrid striped bass
• Goggle-eye (rock bass, Ozark bass, shadow bass)
• Muskie and tiger muskie

Endangered and Protected Species

Endangered fish in Missouri include lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon, taillight shiner, Neosho madtom, spring cavefish, harlequin darter, goldstripe darter, cypress minnow, central mudminnow, crystal darter, swamp darter, Ozark cavefish, Niangua darter, Sabine shiner, mountain madtom, redfin darter, longnose darter, flathead chub, Topeka shiner, and grotto sculpin. You may not take or attempt to take these fish.

Key Insight: If you are unsure whether a fish you’ve speared is a game fish or a protected species, release it immediately and unharmed. Missouri regulations require that when in doubt about a fish’s identity or legal length, you return it to the water right away.

Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Missouri

Missouri’s gear rules for spearfishing are straightforward but non-negotiable. Violating them — even with the right species in the right location — constitutes a legal infraction.

Speargun Rules

The two most important gear rules for spearfishers are:

1. Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks. This means you cannot have a speargun on you while standing on the bank of a river or stream, even if you have no intention of using it there.
2. Spears may not be propelled by explosives. Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks, and spears may not be propelled by explosives. Band-powered, pneumatic, and similar standard spearguns are the only legal propulsion types.

Prohibited Methods Across All Waters

No one may use any explosive, poison, chemical, or electrical equipment to kill or stupefy fish. Such material or equipment may not be possessed on waters of the state or adjacent banks. These prohibitions apply regardless of species or water type.

It is illegal to attempt to take fish by hand, with or without a hook. This means hand-spearing without a device is not a workaround for the speargun rule — it is separately prohibited.

Lighting Rules

As an aid to fishing methods, an artificial light may be used only above the water surface. However, while fishing by pole and line only, underwater lights may be used to attract fish. Underwater lights also may be used when bowfishing on lakes, ponds, and other impoundments. If you plan to spearfish at night, check whether your specific method qualifies for underwater lighting use under current MDC rules, as the lighting allowances are method-specific.

For more context on how Missouri regulates other outdoor and animal-related activities, you can also review coyote hunting laws in Missouri and animal cruelty laws in Missouri for a broader picture of the state’s wildlife code.

Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Missouri

Even if you have the right gear and are targeting legal species, certain areas in Missouri are completely off-limits for spearfishing. Understanding these zones before you go is essential.

Unimpounded Waters

As discussed above, all free-flowing rivers and streams are off-limits for spearguns. This is a statewide blanket rule, not a location-by-location restriction. Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks. That includes Missouri’s most popular fishing rivers: the Missouri River, Mississippi River, Current River, Meramec River, and Gasconade River, among others.

Designated Trout Waters

Missouri’s trout parks and designated Blue Ribbon Trout Areas carry additional restrictions that effectively prohibit spearfishing. Gigging, bowfishing, and using an atlatl are prohibited on designated trout waters, and fish taken by these methods may not be possessed on these waters or their banks. Underwater spearfishing falls under the same category of alternative take methods restricted on these waters.

The four state trout parks — Bennett Spring, Montauk, Roaring River, and Maramec Spring Park — are completely off-limits for spearfishing. Special fishing restrictions exist for particular waterbodies. Always check before you fish.

Conservation Areas with Posted Restrictions

Seasons and limits apply statewide unless the body of water has special regulations as listed or if the area is posted with special regulations. Many MDC conservation areas, wildlife management areas, and managed lakes carry posted restrictions that may prohibit spearfishing even on impounded water. Always check the MDC’s area-specific regulations and look for posted signs at boat ramps and access points before entering the water.

Common Mistake: Assuming that because a lake is publicly accessible, all fishing methods are permitted there. Many Missouri conservation area lakes have method restrictions posted on-site that are not listed in the general statewide regulations. Check the MDC’s area-specific regulations before every trip.

Boundary Waters

Fishing privileges on boundary waters common to Missouri and an adjoining state are mutually agreed upon by the two states. It is your responsibility to know which state you are fishing in and the regulations that apply to the waters where you are fishing. If you are spearfishing near the Missouri-Illinois border on the Mississippi River, for example, the rules of whichever state’s waters you are in apply to you — and both states prohibit spearguns on unimpounded rivers.

Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Missouri

Because spearfishing in Missouri is limited to nongame fish, the bag and size limit picture is relatively straightforward — but there are still rules you need to know.

Nongame Fish Limits

Most nongame fish species that are legal spearfishing targets in Missouri have generous or unlimited bag limits. There is no limit on goldfish and bighead, common, grass, and silver carp. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp can be taken by hand net. These invasive species may be taken in any number by spear on impounded waters.

For other nongame species, size restrictions apply when using alternative methods. All bluegill, green sunfish, and bullheads more than 5 inches long and other species of nongame fish more than 12 inches long must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught by any of the methods listed above except pole and line. This means that if you spear a nongame fish that exceeds these length thresholds, you are required to release it immediately.

Handling and Transport Rules

The head and tail must remain attached to the fish while you are fishing on waters where length limits apply. This rule ensures that conservation agents can verify the species and legal size of any fish in your possession. Do not fillet or process fish while still on the water.

The fish you legally catch in Missouri, or elsewhere, may be possessed and transported as your personal baggage if you have the required permit. Fish may be stored, preserved, or refrigerated only at your home, camp, place of lodging, or in a commercial establishment.

Invasive Carp Special Rules

If you target bighead or silver carp — two of the most common spearfishing targets in Missouri lakes — note that live bighead carp and silver carp may not be transported unconfined or in water from the location where they were caught. You must kill these fish before transporting them. This is an important rule to follow, as moving live invasive carp to new water bodies is a serious conservation violation.

For related context on Missouri’s animal and wildlife regulations, see the pet laws in Missouri and beekeeping laws in Missouri pages for other areas where the state’s wildlife code intersects with everyday activities.

Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Missouri

Missouri takes fishing violations seriously, and spearfishing-related infractions are no exception. The MDC employs conservation agents who actively patrol waterways throughout the state.

Common Violations and Consequences

The MDC can suspend or revoke your fishing privileges for serious violations. Fishing without a permit, exceeding catch limits, using illegal methods, and possessing undersized fish are all common violations. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties.

For spearfishers specifically, the most common violations include:

• Possessing a speargun on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks
• Spearing game fish
• Spearing fish in a designated no-spearfishing zone (trout waters, posted conservation areas)
• Transporting live invasive carp in water
• Fishing without a valid permit
• Retaining nongame fish that exceed the legal size threshold for alternative take methods

Fines and Legal Consequences

Penalties vary by violation severity but typically include fines ranging from $50 to $500 or more, equipment confiscation, and potential court appearances. Repeat violations carry steeper penalties.

Repeat violations or fishing during a suspended license period constitute a Class A misdemeanor under Missouri Revised Statutes § 252.241. A Class A misdemeanor in Missouri can carry up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,000, making serious or repeat spearfishing violations a significant legal matter — not just a slap on the wrist.

Equipment confiscation is also a real consequence. If you are caught with a speargun on a river bank or using prohibited gear, the MDC has authority to seize that equipment. Conservation agents actively patrol Missouri’s waterways, particularly at high-traffic areas like Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, and the Mississippi River.

Important Note: MDC receives no funds through fines from tickets or citations. Enforcement is conservation-driven, not revenue-driven — which means agents focus on protecting fish populations, not issuing quotas of tickets. That said, violations are taken seriously and prosecuted accordingly.

How to Stay Compliant

The simplest way to avoid penalties is to verify your plan before you go. Use the MDC’s official resources to confirm the water body classification, check for any posted area-specific restrictions, and ensure your target species and gear are legal for that location.

All anglers are required to carry their permit and photo ID while fishing and to present them upon request by any MDC conservation agent. Keep your permit accessible — stored on your phone via the MO Fishing app or printed and in a waterproof bag — so you can produce it immediately if asked.

If you are new to Missouri’s wildlife regulations or want to understand how other animal-related laws work in the state, the following resources may be helpful: roadkill laws in Missouri, pit bull laws in Missouri, and emotional support animal laws in Missouri.

Missouri’s spearfishing rules are specific but navigable once you understand the core framework: impounded waters only, nongame fish only, no explosive propulsion, and a valid fishing permit always in hand. Follow those principles, verify the details for your specific water body, and you can enjoy a legal and productive spearfishing experience in the Show-Me State.