Island Spear Co.

Regulations Arizona

Spearfishing Regulations in Arizona

Checked against the primary source (AZGFD) on July 5, 2026state

Governing agency: Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). Last verified July 5, 2026 by independent primary-source check.

Summary

Arizona is landlocked, so there is no saltwater spearfishing. In fresh water, spearfishing is legal but narrowly defined by species: a spear or spear gun (along with bow and arrow, crossbow, gig, snare, and snagging) may be used only to take specific nongame/rough fish (common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad) statewide, plus striped bass by spear/spear gun in a handful of waters designated by Commission Order. Game fish generally may not be speared and must be taken by angling (hook and line). A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anyone age 10 or older, and there is no separate spearfishing permit.

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required
License
Arizona General Fishing License (or a Combination Hunt & Fish / short-term equivalent)
Who needs it
Any resident or non-resident angler 10 years of age or older who fishes any public accessible water in Arizona, including by spear or spear gun. There is no separate spearfishing-specific permit; a standard fishing license covers spearing of the species and waters where it is lawful. (s1, s3)
Resident cost
$37.00 annual General Fishing License. Youth Combination Hunt & Fish (ages 10-17) is $5.00; short-term Combination Hunt & Fish is $15.00/day. 3
Non-resident cost
$55.00 annual General Fishing License. Youth Combination Hunt & Fish (ages 10-17) is $5.00; short-term Combination Hunt & Fish is $20.00/day. 3
Where to buy
Online at the AZGFD license portal (license.azgfd.com), at AZGFD offices, and at authorized license dealers statewide. (s3, s4)

Exemptions

  • Youth under the age of 10 (no license required) 3
  • Blind Arizona residents (no license required) 3
  • Pioneer license holders (complimentary, with the same privileges as a Combination Hunt & Fish license) 3
  • Disabled Veteran license holders (complimentary, with the same privileges as a Combination Hunt & Fish license) 3
  • Anyone fishing on the annual Free Fishing Day (typically the first Saturday of National Fishing and Boating Week) 3

The full story

The full story

Because Arizona is landlocked, the interesting question is not 'is there a saltwater license nobody enforces' — it is how narrowly the state defines lawful spearing in fresh water. Arizona does not have a general 'you may spear fish' rule. Under Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-313, a spear or spear gun is a lawful method of take ONLY for a specific list of nongame/rough species — common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad — anywhere in the state, plus striped bass by spear/spear gun in four reservoirs designated by Commission Order (Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave between Hoover Dam and Cottonwood Landing, and Lake Pleasant). (s1, s2)

For every other fish — trout, bass, walleye, crappie, sunfish, and even catfish — spearing is simply not a listed method, which means it is not allowed. Catfish are a good trap for the unwary: they can be taken by bow and arrow or crossbow in a few designated lakes, but never by spear or spear gun. The practical rule for a diver is: if the regulations do not affirmatively authorize a spear for that species in that water, assume it is illegal. (s1, s2)

The license side has no law-vs-practice gap: the general fishing license is real, issued, and enforced for anyone 10 or older, and it fully covers spearing where spearing is legal — there is no phantom permit and no separate spearfishing endorsement. The genuine 'gotcha' in Arizona is the species/water matrix and the 200-yard buffer around swimming areas, docks, and piers, not the paperwork.

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Not permitted

Arizona is a landlocked state with no marine or saltwater waters, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. All spearfishing in Arizona is freshwater only.

Freshwater

Legal

Freshwater spearfishing is legal but limited by species and water. Under Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-313, bow and arrow, crossbow, snare, gig, spear or spear gun, and snagging are valid methods for taking common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad statewide (unless a closure or Special Regulation restricts it). Striped bass may be taken by spear or spear gun only in waters designated by Commission Order (AZGFD lists Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave between Hoover Dam and Cottonwood Landing, and Lake Pleasant). Game fish that are not on these method-specific lists (e.g., trout, largemouth/smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, sunfish) generally may not be speared and must be taken by angling; if the regulations do not explicitly authorize spearing for a species in a given water, treat it as prohibited. (s1, s2)

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun
Legal for the authorized species. A spear gun is expressly named as a lawful method for common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad statewide, and for striped bass in Commission-Order-designated waters. (s1, s2)
Pole spear
A hand-propelled 'spear' is a lawful method for the same authorized nongame species and for striped bass in designated waters. The regulations use the general term 'spear' and do not separately enumerate 'pole spear,' but a pole spear falls within that term. 2
Hawaiian sling
Not named individually in the regulations. As a hand-propelled spear device it would fall under the general 'spear' method for authorized species, but no primary source explicitly lists the Hawaiian sling; treat this as inferred rather than expressly authorized. 2
Spearfishing on SCUBA
The fishing regulations do not address the use of SCUBA or other underwater breathing apparatus for spearing; there is no explicit authorization and no explicit prohibition in the sources reviewed. Verify with AZGFD before diving. (unverified)

Gear restrictions

  • No listed method (spear, spear gun, gig, bow/crossbow, snare, snagging) may be used within 200 yards of a designated swimming area. Separately, EXCEPT for snagging, none of these methods may be used within 200 yards of any boat dock or fishing pier — so snagging is excepted from the boat-dock/fishing-pier buffer but is still barred within 200 yards of a designated swimming area. 2
  • These methods apply only to the specifically authorized species; using a spear on any other (game) fish is not a lawful method of take. (s1, s2)
  • Spear and snagging seasons/waters may be further restricted at times and locations designated by Commission Order. 2

Do not spear

Prohibited species

  • Game fish not expressly authorized for spearing may not be taken by spear or spear gun, including trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, and sunfish (genus Lepomis) — these must be taken by angling (hook and line) (s1, s2)
  • Catfish may not be taken by spear or spear gun (catfish are authorized only for bow and arrow / crossbow in specific designated waters, not for spearing) (s1, s2)
  • Any species in a water not covered by an authorizing Commission Order — if spearing is not explicitly permitted for that species and water, it is prohibited 1

Where you can't

Area restrictions

  • No listed method — spear, spear gun, gig, bow/crossbow, snare, or snagging — within 200 yards of a designated swimming area (this buffer includes snagging) 2
  • Except for snagging, no spear, spear gun, gig, bow/crossbow, or snare within 200 yards of a boat dock or fishing pier (snagging is excepted from the boat-dock and fishing-pier buffer, but not from the swimming-area buffer) 2
  • Striped bass spearing is limited to Commission-Order-designated waters: Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave (between Hoover Dam and Cottonwood Landing), and Lake Pleasant 1
  • Additional closures and Special Regulations (Commission Order 40) can restrict methods on specific waters; check the current special-regulations listing for the water you plan to fish 1

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

  • There is no saltwater in Arizona — all spearfishing is freshwater and governed entirely by AZGFD 1
  • Arizona's framework is species-and-water-specific, not open-water: spearing is lawful only for named species in named waters, and everything else defaults to prohibited (s1, s2)
  • Striped bass is the notable exception — it is a game fish that CAN be speared, but only in the four designated reservoirs 1
  • Statewide daily bag and possession limits for each species still apply to fish taken by spear 1
  • No separate spearfishing permit exists; a standard fishing license is all that is required (s1, s3)

What divers here typically use

Gear up for Arizona spearfishing

Where spearfishing is allowed in Arizona, this is the core kit divers assemble before their first day in the water. Our honest guide to the Beginner Spearfishing Gear List walks through what to look for — curated from published specs and community consensus, not paid placement.

If you break them

Penalties

Taking aquatic wildlife by an unlawful method, without a required license, or in a closed area is a violation of Arizona's game and fish laws (ARS Title 17) and Commission rules, enforceable by citation, fines, and possible license revocation. Exact fine amounts and misdemeanor classifications are set in ARS Title 17 and were not stated on the AZGFD regulation pages reviewed. (unverified — see unverified[])

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

  • Exact penalty/fine dollar amounts and the misdemeanor classification for unlawful methods of take — these are set in ARS Title 17 and were not stated on the AZGFD regulation pages reviewed.
  • Whether open-circuit SCUBA (or other underwater breathing apparatus) is permitted for spearing — the fishing regulations reviewed are silent on SCUBA use for take; neither authorized nor prohibited in the sources found.
  • Explicit authorization of the pole spear and Hawaiian sling by name — the regulations use only the general term 'spear'; these devices are inferred to fall within it but are not individually enumerated in a primary source.

Confirm these points directly with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) before you rely on them.

Primary sources

Sources

Every fact above is drawn from these official sources. Each was retrieved on the date shown; regulations can change after that date.

  1. Source 1: Arizona Game and Fish Department — General Statewide Fishing Regulations (official published guide)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.eregulations.com/arizona/fishing/general-statewide-fishing-regulations

  2. Source 2: Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-4-313 — Lawful Methods of Take and Season for Aquatic Wildlife

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R12-4-313

  3. Source 3: Arizona Game and Fish Department — Fishing License & Fee Structure

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.eregulations.com/arizona/fishing/license-fee-structure

  4. Source 4: Arizona Game & Fish Department — Fishing Licenses and Regulations (agency site)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/licenses-and-regulations/

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in Arizona?
Saltwater spearfishing is restricted in Arizona, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Arizona is a landlocked state with no marine or saltwater waters, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. All spearfishing in Arizona is freshwater only.
Do you need a license to spearfish in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona requires the Arizona General Fishing License (or a Combination Hunt & Fish / short-term equivalent). Resident cost: $37.00 annual General Fishing License. Youth Combination Hunt & Fish (ages 10-17) is $5.00; short-term Combination Hunt & Fish is $15.00/day. Non-resident cost: $55.00 annual General Fishing License. Youth Combination Hunt & Fish (ages 10-17) is $5.00; short-term Combination Hunt & Fish is $20.00/day.
Can you spearfish on scuba in Arizona?
The fishing regulations do not address the use of SCUBA or other underwater breathing apparatus for spearing; there is no explicit authorization and no explicit prohibition in the sources reviewed. Verify with AZGFD before diving. (unverified)
What can't you spear in Arizona?
Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Arizona include: Game fish not expressly authorized for spearing may not be taken by spear or spear gun, including trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, and sunfish, Catfish may not be taken by spear or spear gun, Any species in a water not covered by an authorizing Commission Order — if spearing is not explicitly permitted for that species and water, it is prohibited. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).

Stay current

Get an email when Arizona's size & bag limits change

Regulations shift between seasons. We re-check Arizona's rules against the primary source and send a short note when the limits, seasons, or licensing move — nothing else.

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Last verified July 5, 2026. Regulations change — always confirm the current rules with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) before you dive.

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