Island Spear Co.

Regulations Indiana

Spearfishing Regulations in Indiana

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

Governing agency: Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife (IDNR). Last verified July 5, 2026 by independent primary-source check.

Summary

Indiana is a landlocked state with no ocean coast, so there is no saltwater spearfishing; all spearing is freshwater. Spearfishing is legal but restricted to rough/invasive fish only: gig, fish spear, spear gun, underwater spear, bow-and-arrow and crossbow may take invasive (Asian) carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers year-round, day or night. Game fish such as bass, walleye, crappie, trout and salmon may NOT be speared and are reserved for hook-and-line. Anyone fishing (including spearing) needs an Indiana fishing license unless specifically exempt, and spear guns/underwater spears are limited to lakes/ponds/reservoirs plus a short list of named large rivers.

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required
License
Indiana Annual Fishing License
Who needs it
Every person taking fish by any legal method, including spearing, gigging and bowfishing, must hold a valid Indiana fishing license and carry an ink-signed (or signed electronic) copy while fishing, unless specifically exempt. A fishing license is expressly required to use a bow and arrow, crossbow, gig, fish spear, spear gun, or underwater spear as fishing equipment. 1
Resident cost
Resident Annual Fishing $23; Resident One-Day Fishing (includes trout/salmon) $10; Resident Senior Annual Fishing (age 64+, includes trout/salmon) $3; Resident Senior Fish for Life (age 64+, includes trout/salmon) $23; Annual Hunting and Fishing $32. Fees valid Apr 1, 2025-Mar 31, 2026. 1
Non-resident cost
Nonresident Annual Fishing $60; Nonresident One-Day Fishing (includes trout/salmon) $15; Nonresident Seven-Day Fishing $35. Fees valid Apr 1, 2025-Mar 31, 2026. 1
Where to buy
Online at GoOutdoorsIN.com, at 500+ retailers statewide, by phone (317-232-4200 / 877-463-6367), by mail to DNR Customer Service, or in person. 1

Exemptions

  • Residents and nonresidents under age 18 1
  • Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943 (carry ID to verify age/residency) 1
  • Residents who are legally blind, or who have a developmental disability as defined by IC 12-7-2-61 (proof not required while fishing) 1
  • Resident owners/lessees of Indiana farmland (and spouse/children living with them) while fishing on that farmland; some nonresident landowners per reciprocal state exemptions 1
  • Residents of a state-owned mental rehabilitation facility, or of a licensed Indiana health care facility during a facility-sponsored supervised fishing activity 1
  • Anyone fishing a private pond with no fish entry to/exit from public waters 1
  • Everyone on Indiana's Free Fishing Days (official 2026 dates: May 10, June 6-7, Sept 26) - residents need no license or trout/salmon stamp to fish public waters, all other rules (seasons, bag/size limits) still apply 14

The full story

The full story

Indiana is landlocked, so 'spearfishing' here is entirely a freshwater question, and the rules follow the classic rough-fish-only pattern. Under the DNR's Bow Fishing & Spear Fishing rules, a diver or bowfisher may take only seven species - invasive (Asian) carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad and suckers - with a spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, bow or crossbow. Everything considered a game fish (bass, walleye, muskie, crappie, panfish, catfish, trout and salmon) is reserved for hook-and-line and may not be speared. This is the recurring inland-state rule: game fish for rod and reel, nongame/rough fish for the spear.

A subtle but important distinction is method-by-water. A bow and arrow or crossbow may be used on streams, rivers, and non-flowing waters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs). But a gig, fish spear, spear gun or underwater spear is allowed only on non-flowing waters (lakes/ponds/reservoirs) and on six specifically named large rivers (Kankakee, Maumee, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, Wabash and White, each with defined reach boundaries). So a speargun that is perfectly legal in an Indiana reservoir is NOT legal on an unnamed creek. Layered on top are named closures - fish spears and gigs are banned on the upper Tippecanoe above Big Creek to Oakdale Dam, and spear guns/underwater spears are banned in the Lake Michigan tributary streams.

On the license question there is no law-vs-practice gap: Indiana genuinely issues and enforces a fishing license (resident $23, nonresident $60 annual), the guide expressly requires it to use a bow, crossbow, gig, spear, spear gun or underwater spear, Conservation Officers check it, and gear can be seized on conviction. Law and practice agree.

Two claims that circulate on non-primary (blog/aggregator) sources did NOT check out against the DNR guide and are listed as unverified. First, a supposed statewide rule barring spearfishing 'within 200 feet of a public beach' or 'within 100 feet of any structure' - no such standoff appears in the current DNR Fishing Regulations Guide. Second, the claim that a 200-yard no-take zone around ALL dams applies to spears: for inland/boundary waters the statute lists trot line, set line, throw line, net, trap and seine within 200 yards of a dam but does NOT list spears; only the Ohio River restricts all methods except pole and hand line within 200 yards of a dam. Divers should treat the beach/structure standoffs as unconfirmed and confirm any dam standoff against the specific water.

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Not permitted

Indiana is landlocked and has no marine or saltwater coast, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. Its only large open waters are freshwater: the Lake Michigan shoreline (a Great Lake) in the northwest and the Ohio River along the southern border. All spearfishing in Indiana is therefore freshwater spearfishing under IDNR rules. 1

Freshwater

Legal

Legal but restricted to rough/invasive species only. A bow and arrow or crossbow may be used year-round at any time of day to take invasive (Asian) carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers from streams, rivers, and non-flowing waters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs). A gig, fish spear, spear gun, or underwater spear may take those same species year-round, any time of day, but ONLY from non-flowing waters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs) and six named large rivers: the Kankakee (IL border up to the SR 55 bridge), Maumee (OH border up to the Anthony Blvd bridge, Fort Wayne), St. Joseph (Elkhart and St. Joseph counties), Tippecanoe (Wabash confluence up to a half mile below Big Creek), Wabash (Ohio River confluence up to SR 13 in Wabash), and White River including its East Fork (to the Columbus dam) and West Fork (to the dam below Harding St, Indianapolis). Game fish (bass, walleye, sauger, muskellunge, crappie, sunfish, catfish, trout, salmon, etc.) may NOT be taken by any spear/gig/bow method. 13

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun
Legal for taking the seven allowed rough/invasive species (invasive/Asian carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, suckers) from non-flowing waters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs) and the six named large rivers only. A fishing license is required. Spear guns are NOT authorized on general streams and rivers (only bow/crossbow are). 1
Pole spear
Not named separately in the DNR guide. A hand-propelled pole spear falls under the guide's terms 'fish spear' or 'underwater spear' and is subject to the same species list, the same non-flowing-water/named-river limits, and the license requirement. Confirm the specific water before use. 1
Hawaiian sling
Not named in Indiana regulations. As a hand-powered underwater spear it would fall under 'fish spear / spear gun / underwater spear' and be subject to the same species and water limits; not expressly authorized or prohibited by name. 1
Spearfishing on SCUBA
The DNR fishing guide does not address SCUBA for spearfishing one way or the other. Whether SCUBA may be used is not confirmable from the primary source (see unverified). Local park, lake-manager or dive-flag/boating rules may apply. 1

Gear restrictions

  • Only invasive (Asian) carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers may be taken by spear, gig, spear gun, underwater spear, bow or crossbow; game fish may not 1
  • Gig, fish spear, spear gun and underwater spear are limited to non-flowing waters (lakes/ponds/reservoirs) plus six named large rivers; bow-and-arrow/crossbow may also be used on general streams and rivers 1
  • In the Tippecanoe River, fish spears and fish gigs cannot be used in, on, or adjacent to the river from a half mile below its juncture with Big Creek (Carroll County) upstream to the Oakdale Dam 1
  • In Lake Michigan tributaries, use of a spear gun, club, snag hook or underwater spear is prohibited in/adjacent to the Galena River, Trail Creek, East Branch Little Calumet River, Salt Creek, West Branch Little Calumet River, Burns Ditch, Deep River below the Lake George dam, and the tributaries to these waters 1
  • On the Ohio River, no fish may be taken within 200 yards of a dam except by fishing pole or hand line (this bars spearing near Ohio River dams) 1
  • Wanton waste is prohibited: speared fish may not be intentionally wasted, and fish must not be mutilated and returned to the water unless lawfully used as bait 1

Do not spear

Prohibited species

  • All game fish are off-limits to spear/gig/bow methods, including largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, striped, hybrid striped, white, yellow and rock bass 1
  • Walleye, sauger and walleye-sauger hybrid (saugeye) 1
  • Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge 1
  • Crappie, bluegill and other sunfish/panfish 1
  • Channel, blue and flathead catfish 1
  • Trout and salmon (also require a trout/salmon stamp when taken by legal hook-and-line methods) 1
  • Shovelnose sturgeon and any state endangered/special-concern species 1
  • Native mussels and their shells - harvest banned since 1991 (not a spear target, but note the collection ban) 1

Where you can't

Area restrictions

  • Tippecanoe River: fish spears and gigs banned from a half mile below the Big Creek juncture (Carroll County) up to the Oakdale Dam 1
  • Lake Michigan tributaries (Galena River, Trail Creek, East/West Branch Little Calumet River, Salt Creek, Burns Ditch, Deep River below the Lake George dam, and their tributaries): spear gun and underwater spear prohibited 1
  • Ohio River: within 200 yards below any dam, fish may be taken only by fishing pole or hand line - no spearing 1
  • Spear guns/underwater spears are not permitted on general streams and rivers - only on non-flowing waters and the six named large rivers 1
  • St. Joseph River (Twin Branch Dam downstream to Michigan line) and other special-regulation reaches carry additional fishing closures (e.g., near fish ladders and the East Race Waterway) that a diver should check 1

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

  • Indiana has no saltwater; all spearfishing is freshwater only 1
  • Spear/gig/bow methods are a rough-fish-only tool: legal only for invasive (Asian) carp, bowfin, buffalo, common carp, gar, shad and suckers - game fish are strictly hook-and-line 1
  • Method-by-water distinction matters: bow/crossbow may be used on streams, rivers AND lakes; but gig/fish spear/spear gun/underwater spear are limited to lakes/ponds/reservoirs plus six named large rivers 1
  • Spearing is allowed year-round and at any time of day (including night) for the permitted species 1
  • A fishing license is genuinely required for spearing/gigging/bowfishing and is actively enforced by Indiana Conservation Officers; gear used in a violation can be seized and confiscated 1
  • Frogs may be taken with a gig or spear (head not more than a specified size) under separate frog rules 1

What divers here typically use

Gear up for Indiana spearfishing

Where spearfishing is allowed in Indiana, 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

Fishing or spearing without a valid license, taking game fish by an illegal method, or spearing a prohibited species or in a closed area violates Indiana fish and wildlife law (IC Title 14 and 312 IAC Article 9) and is enforced by Indiana Conservation Officers. Consequences include fines and penalties, possible revocation of the fishing license upon conviction, and seizure/confiscation of equipment used in the violation. Specific dollar fine amounts are set by statute and the 312 IAC 1.5 civil-penalty schedule and were not enumerated on the DNR guide pages consulted. 13

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

  • A statewide rule barring spearfishing 'within 200 feet of a public beach' or 'within 100 feet of any structure' - NOT found in the current DNR Fishing Regulations Guide; appears only on non-primary blog/aggregator sources and could not be confirmed against a primary source.
  • That a 200-yard no-take zone around dams applies to spears on inland waters - the inland/boundary-water statute lists trot line, set line, throw line, net, trap and seine within 200 yards of a dam but NOT spears; only the Ohio River bars all methods except pole/hand line within 200 yards of a dam.
  • Whether SCUBA is permitted for spearfishing - the DNR guide does not address it; not confirmable from the primary source.
  • Explicit treatment of pole spears and Hawaiian slings by name - Indiana regulations use the general terms 'fish spear,' 'spear gun' and 'underwater spear'; the hand-powered pole spear/sling categorization is inferred, not stated.
  • Exact dollar fine amounts and civil-penalty figures for illegal-method, prohibited-species or unlicensed spearing (set in IC Title 14 and 312 IAC 1.5; not enumerated on the DNR guide pages consulted).
  • The precise legal-methods list and any spear allowance detail for the main-stem Ohio River (PDF text was fragmented); Ohio River rules are set by an interstate compact and should be confirmed on the DNR Ohio River page before diving there.

Confirm these points directly with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife (IDNR) 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.

  2. Source 2: Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife - Fishing Guide & Regulations (official agency landing page)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/fishing/fishing-guide-and-regulations/

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in Indiana?
Saltwater spearfishing is restricted in Indiana, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Indiana is landlocked and has no marine or saltwater coast, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. Its only large open waters are freshwater: the Lake Michigan shoreline…
Do you need a license to spearfish in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana requires the Indiana Annual Fishing License. Resident cost: Resident Annual Fishing $23; Resident One-Day Fishing (includes trout/salmon) $10; Resident Senior Annual Fishing (age 64+, includes trout/salmon) $3; Resident Senior Fish for Life (age 64+, includes trout/salmon) $23; Annual Hunting and Fishing $32. Fees valid Apr 1, 2025-Mar 31, 2026. Non-resident cost: Nonresident Annual Fishing $60; Nonresident One-Day Fishing (includes trout/salmon) $15; Nonresident Seven-Day Fishing $35. Fees valid Apr 1, 2025-Mar 31, 2026.
Can you spearfish on scuba in Indiana?
The DNR fishing guide does not address SCUBA for spearfishing one way or the other. Whether SCUBA may be used is not confirmable from the primary source (see unverified). Local park, lake-manager or dive-flag/boating rules may apply.
What can't you spear in Indiana?
Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Indiana include: All game fish are off-limits to spear/gig/bow methods, including largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, striped, hybrid striped, white, yellow and rock bass, Walleye, sauger and walleye-sauger hybrid, Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, Crappie, bluegill and other sunfish/panfish, Channel, blue and flathead catfish, Trout and salmon, Shovelnose sturgeon and any state endangered/special-concern species, Native mussels and their shells. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife (IDNR).

Stay current

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

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

No spam. Regulations updates, gear data drops, and the launch of the guide.

Last verified July 5, 2026. Regulations change — always confirm the current rules with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife (IDNR) before you dive.

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