Spearfishing Laws in Wyoming: What You Need to Know Before You Dive

Wyoming is one of the most permissive states in the country when it comes to freshwater spearfishing. Unlike many landlocked states that ban the practice entirely, Wyoming allows spearfishers to target game fish in lakes and reservoirs — a rare opportunity that draws divers from across the region. That said, the rules are specific, and getting them wrong can cost you your license, your gear, or more.

This guide breaks down every layer of Wyoming’s spearfishing regulations: where you can dive, what you can take, what gear is allowed, and what happens if you step outside the rules. Whether you’re planning your first dive at Boysen Reservoir or you’re a seasoned spearfisher moving to the state, understanding these laws is the first step before you ever enter the water.

Is Spearfishing Legal in Wyoming?

Freshwater spearfishing for game fish is legal in Wyoming and largely mirrors the state’s standard angling laws. You can legally spear the same species you’d target with a rod and reel, including trout, bass, and walleye. That puts Wyoming in a small group of inland states — alongside Utah and New Mexico — that permit spearfishing for game fish, not just rough or nongame species.

Wyoming is arguably the best state in the country for freshwater spearfishing because of its liberal regulations allowing game fish harvest. Lake DeSmet, Boysen Reservoir, Glendo Reservoir, and dozens of alpine lakes offer clear water and diverse species, with walleye being the premier eating fish and rainbow trout in mountain lakes providing a truly unique spearfishing experience.

The key caveat: spearfishing in Wyoming is a freshwater-only activity. The state is landlocked, so there is no saltwater component to consider. All rules fall under the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) Chapter 46 Fishing Regulations, which took effect January 1, 2026, with updated provisions across several drainage areas.

Pro Tip: Always carry a printed or digital copy of the current WGFD Chapter 46 Fishing Regulations when you dive. Water-specific exceptions can override statewide rules, and a game warden will expect you to know the rules for the specific body of water you’re in.

Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Wyoming

Wyoming has no coastline, so saltwater spearfishing simply does not exist within state borders. Every spearfishing regulation in Wyoming applies exclusively to freshwater environments — lakes, reservoirs, and, with important restrictions, other water bodies.

Spearfishing is allowed in many of Wyoming’s lakes and reservoirs, but spearfishing in flowing waters such as rivers and streams is generally prohibited to protect spawning fish and ensure ecosystem balance. This is a critical distinction. Even if a river holds legal game fish, you cannot spear them there.

The WGFD defines “streams” broadly under its regulations. The definition covers water flowing continuously in one direction and includes creeks, rivers, irrigation ditches, drains, canals, sloughs, and ponds created by beavers. Streams may not flow continuously during low-flow periods, and ponds or puddles in a stream channel during low flow are still considered streams. If you’re unsure whether a water body qualifies as a stream, treat it as one until you confirm otherwise with the WGFD.

For anglers who also spearfish in other states, it’s worth comparing Wyoming’s approach with rules elsewhere. Spearfishing laws in Minnesota and spearfishing laws in Michigan take a more restrictive approach to game fish, making Wyoming’s open-lake policy stand out significantly.

License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Wyoming

Spearfishing in Wyoming does not require a separate or special spearfishing permit. Your standard Wyoming fishing license covers the activity, provided you follow all applicable regulations for the water you’re diving in.

You can legally spear game fish — trout, bass, walleye, and more — with a standard fishing license. Annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, and daily and multi-day licenses are also available.

Age exemptions apply to the license requirement. Wyoming residents under 14 do not require a fishing license. Nonresident youth under 14 do not need a fishing license if accompanied by an adult with a valid Wyoming fishing license, and any fish harvested by unlicensed nonresident youth shall be applied to the adult license holder’s creel limit.

Almost every angler licensed to fish in Wyoming also needs a Conservation Stamp, which is valid for 12 consecutive months. You must keep proof of purchase with you at all times while fishing. Wyoming residents who are permanently and totally disabled can obtain a lifetime fishing license and conservation stamp free of charge. Residents aged 65 or older with 30 total years of residency can obtain a “Lifetime Pioneer” fishing license at no cost.

There are special permit zones where the standard license alone is not enough. In Grand Teton National Park, anglers 14 and older must purchase a Wyoming fishing license, which is valid within the park and on public waters outside it — but not in Yellowstone National Park or on the Wind River Indian Reservation. In Yellowstone National Park, anglers 16 and older must purchase a fishing permit directly from the National Park Service.

If you plan to spear baitfish rather than game fish, a separate license is required. No person may seine, net, trap, or spear baitfish without first obtaining a valid seining license, even if those baitfish will be used as dead bait. Seining licenses may be obtained from WGFD regional offices or from the Cheyenne headquarters, and no person may hold more than one seining license per calendar year.

Important Note: Fishing licenses can be purchased online through the WGFD website or at one of many license-selling agents throughout Wyoming. Confirm current fee schedules directly with the WGFD license fee list, as prices are subject to change.

Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Wyoming

Freshwater spearfishing for game fish is legal in Wyoming and follows the same species rules as angling. You can legally spear the same species you can fish for with rod and reel, such as trout, bass, and walleye. This includes rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, lake trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and walleye — the primary targets for most spearfishers in the state.

Nongame fish — sometimes called rough fish — are generally available for spearing as well, with fewer restrictions. Common nongame species include common carp, suckers, and other non-protected fish. Carp in particular are popular targets because they are invasive and their removal is actively encouraged by wildlife managers.

One species you need to watch for is the brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans). Any brook stickleback taken must be killed immediately and shall not be possessed or transported. It is not a target species — it’s an incidental catch rule you must follow if one ends up on your spear.

There are water-specific reclassifications that affect what you can legally keep. Some game fish are classified as nongame fish in specific waters. Examples include burbot in Flaming Gorge Reservoir and walleye in Buffalo Bill Reservoir. In those waters, the standard game fish rules for spearfishing apply even though the species is locally reclassified.

Aquatic invasive species are strictly off-limits for possession or transport. It is unlawful to possess or transport an aquatic invasive species in the state of Wyoming. If you encounter an invasive species while diving, do not bring it ashore in a live state or transport it to another water body.

For comparison, see how target species differ in other states: spearfishing laws in Florida primarily govern saltwater species, while spearfishing laws in Ohio restrict game fish spearing more heavily than Wyoming does.

Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Wyoming

Wyoming’s regulations address spearfishing gear in a few specific ways. The most important restriction involves the use of artificial light. Artificial light is allowed while fishing in Wyoming, with a specific exception for spearfishing. While devices such as strike indicators, bobbers, chemically enhanced bait and tackle, lighted poles, fish finders, underwater cameras, battery-powered lures, and submersible lights are all permitted for standard fishing, the restriction applies specifically to the use of a spear gun by artificial light. In plain terms: you cannot use a spear gun at night aided by artificial lighting.

Spearguns and pole spears are the standard tools for spearfishing in Wyoming’s lakes and reservoirs. Bowfishing — using archery equipment — is a related but separate method. Archery equipment is defined as crossbows, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and arrows under Wyoming regulations, and bowfishing rules may differ from spearfishing rules in certain waters, so check the specific water’s regulations before switching methods.

Scuba gear is not explicitly banned for spearfishing in Wyoming’s statewide regulations, but you should verify water-specific rules before diving with tanks, as some bodies of water or land management areas may impose their own restrictions. Freediving is the standard approach used by most spearfishers in the state’s alpine lakes and reservoirs.

Pro Tip: Waters designated as “flies and lures only” under Wyoming’s statewide regulations effectively prohibit spearfishing, since a speargun does not qualify as a fly or lure. Always check whether your target water carries this designation before gearing up.

Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Wyoming

Several categories of water are either closed to all fishing or restricted in ways that effectively prohibit spearfishing. Knowing these zones before you plan a dive is non-negotiable.

• Rivers and streams: Spearfishing is prohibited in all flowing waters statewide, including rivers, creeks, irrigation ditches, and beaver-created ponds that connect to stream channels.
• Flies-and-lures-only waters: Any water designated as “flies and lures only” does not permit spearfishing. These designations appear in the WGFD regulation booklet by drainage area.
• Seasonally closed waters: Some lakes and reservoirs have seasonal fishing closures. For example, certain waters in Area 4 are closed to fishing from December 1 through April 30, and Currant Creek in Sweetwater County is closed from April 1 through June 30. Spearfishing is prohibited during any closure period.
• Yellowstone National Park: The Wyoming Game and Fish Department does not manage fisheries within Yellowstone National Park, and National Park fishing permits are not valid outside park boundaries. Spearfishing is prohibited inside the park.
• Wind River Indian Reservation: Permits are required for fishing on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Game and Fish does not sell reservation permits or manage fisheries on reservation lands, and reservation permits are not valid beyond reservation boundaries.
• Private land water access: It is unlawful to enter, fish from, beach, anchor, or tie off a boat upon private land or streambed without securing the landowner’s permission. This applies to spearfishers accessing water from or through private property.

Under 2026 regulation updates that took effect January 1, new rules require the use of single-point, barbless hooks on high-traffic stretches of the North Platte River below Seminoe Reservoir, covering the Miracle Mile, Alcova Afterbay, Gray Reef, and Fremont Canyon areas. These sections are also subject to flies-and-lures-only designations in some reaches, which would prohibit spearfishing regardless of the barbless hook rule.

Wyoming’s animal and wildlife laws extend beyond fishing. If you’re researching state regulations broadly, you might also find relevant context in roadkill laws in Wyoming or beekeeping laws in Wyoming, which reflect how the state approaches wildlife use and conservation more generally.

Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Wyoming

Spearfishing bag limits in Wyoming generally follow the same creel limits as rod-and-reel fishing, with one notable exception for walleye.

For walleye, spearfishers are allowed only 2 fish per person per day, compared to 6 per day for anglers using standard tackle. This reduced limit reflects the higher efficiency of spearfishing for walleye in clear-water reservoir environments. At Alcova Reservoir in Natrona County, however, the standard two-fish walleye spear gun limit does not apply — making it one of the few waters where the statewide spearfishing walleye restriction is lifted.

Unless otherwise noted for a specific water, the daily creel limit in Wyoming is also the possession limit. No person may have in their possession more than the number and length of fish specified as the creel limit, and the possession limit includes fish in transit or storage. This means you cannot catch your limit one day, store those fish, and then catch another full limit the next day — the possession limit applies across the board.

Size limits also apply to spearfishers. At Glendo Reservoir, for example, all walleye less than 15 inches must be released to the water immediately. When size limits are in force, you are responsible for accurately estimating the length of a fish before taking a shot. A fish that is undersized cannot be kept, and taking it is a violation.

Species	Standard Angling Limit	Spearfishing Limit	Notes
Walleye (statewide)	6 per day	2 per day	Exception at Alcova Reservoir
Trout (most waters)	6 per day	Same as angling	Water-specific limits apply
Bass	Varies by water	Same as angling	Check drainage-specific rules
Nongame fish (carp, suckers)	Generally unlimited	Generally unlimited	Verify water-specific rules

At Glendo Reservoir, all walleye must be kept whole — with gills and entrails optionally removed — until the angler is off the water or ice and done fishing for the day. Once off the water, walleye can be filleted for transportation, but a piece of skin at least one inch square must remain on all fillets while in transit or in the field. These fillet and transport rules apply to spearfishers as much as to anglers.

For a side-by-side look at how bag limits compare in neighboring states, see spearfishing laws in Indiana and spearfishing laws in Virginia.

Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Wyoming

Wyoming takes fishing violations seriously, and spearfishing-related offenses fall under the same penalty framework as all other fishing law violations. Hunters and fishermen can face surprisingly heavy penalties for violating state or federal laws, as the state enforces strict guidelines for when and where fishing can occur, and any violation can lead to serious charges.

Violating Wyoming’s fishing regulations can result in license suspensions, thousands of dollars in fines, and even jail time. The severity of the penalty typically depends on the nature of the violation — fishing without a license, exceeding bag limits, spearing in closed waters, or taking prohibited species each carry their own weight under Wyoming Statutes Title 23.

Common violations that spearfishers should specifically guard against include:

• Spearing in rivers, streams, or other flowing waters where the practice is prohibited
• Exceeding the two-fish walleye limit that applies to spear gun harvest at most waters
• Using a spear gun with artificial light assistance
• Spearing in waters designated as flies-and-lures only
• Spearing fish during seasonal closures
• Releasing a live fish that has been held on a stringer, in a container, or in a live well without written approval from the WGFD
• Selling, bartering, or discarding any edible portion of a game fish

License revocation is a real consequence for repeat or serious offenders. Seining licenses are subject to suspension or revocation for failure to comply with regulations, and any revocation other than a court hearing revocation is subject to contested case proceedings before the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. Similar revocation authority applies to standard fishing licenses.

Wyoming also participates in interstate wildlife violation compacts, meaning a serious fishing violation in Wyoming can affect your ability to obtain fishing licenses in other participating states. If you’re spearfishing across state lines, also review spearfishing laws in Pennsylvania and spearfishing laws in New Jersey before planning multi-state trips.

Important Note: This article is for informational purposes based on publicly available Wyoming Game and Fish Department regulations as of the 2026 fishing season. Regulations can change. Always verify current rules directly with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before diving.

Know the Rules, Then Enjoy the Water

Wyoming’s spearfishing regulations strike a balance that few landlocked states achieve: they allow game fish harvest while using targeted restrictions — the no-rivers rule, the reduced walleye limit, the artificial light ban — to protect spawning populations and fragile ecosystems. The result is a genuinely accessible sport in some of the clearest freshwater in the American West.

The most important habits to build are simple: carry your license and conservation stamp, know whether your target water is a lake or a stream, check for water-specific exceptions before you dive, and stay current with the WGFD’s annual regulation updates. Updates to Chapter 46 fishing regulations for 2026 took effect January 1, with new tackle requirements on the North Platte River and expanded harvest opportunities in the Jackson Region — a reminder that the rules do change from year to year.

Wyoming’s broader animal and wildlife laws share the same conservation-first philosophy. For related reading, explore leash laws in Wyoming or dog bite laws in Wyoming to get a fuller picture of how the state manages human-animal interactions across the board.