Island Spear Co.

Regulations Kansas

Spearfishing Regulations in Kansas

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

Governing agency: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). Last verified July 5, 2026 by independent primary-source check.

Summary

Kansas is a landlocked state with no saltwater, so there is no marine spearfishing. In fresh water, spearfishing is legal but narrow: a speargun (without explosive charge) may be used only while skin or scuba diving, only in waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving,' and only to take nonsport (rough) fish such as carp, gar, buffalo, suckers, drum and shad. Game/sport fish - bass, crappie, walleye, white bass/wiper, trout, sunfish, and catfish in rivers and streams - may NOT be speared, gigged, bow-fished or snagged. Anyone age 16 through 74 needs a Kansas fishing license, and the spear must be tethered to the speargun or diver by a line.

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required
License
Kansas Fishing License
Who needs it
Any angler age 16 through 74 must carry a valid Kansas fishing license to take fish by any method, including spearfishing (speargun), gigging and bowfishing. Residents must have been bona fide residents for 60 days before buying a resident license; nonresidents 16+ need a nonresident license (except on private ponds). 45
Resident cost
Resident Annual $27.50; Resident One-Day $6.00; Senior Resident (65-74) $15.00; Resident Five-Year $102.50; Multi-Year Youth (16-20) $42.50; Lifetime Fishing $502.50. 4
Non-resident cost
Nonresident Annual $77.50; Nonresident Five-Day $27.50; Nonresident One-Day $12.50. 4
Where to buy
Online at the KDWP license portal, from licensed agents, at any KDWP office, or by phone at 1-833-587-2164. 4

Exemptions

  • Residents age 15 and younger (under 16) do not need a fishing license; other permits/stamps may still apply 5
  • Anglers age 75 and older - the license requirement applies to ages 16 through 74, so 75+ are effectively exempt 4
  • Landowners and tenants (and their immediate family living with them) fishing on waters on their own agricultural land, with exceptions where a stream/river flows into or out of the impoundment or where the water has multiple owners 5
  • Disabled veterans and Kansas National Guard members qualify for free licenses (still must obtain the license) 4

The full story

The full story

Kansas is landlocked, so 'spearfishing' here is purely a freshwater question - and a narrow one. Under K.A.R. 115-7-1, a speargun (without explosive charge) is legal only while skin or scuba diving, only in waters that are specifically posted 'open to scuba and skin diving,' and only to take nonsport (rough) fish such as carp, gar, buffalo, suckers, drum, shad, goldeye and shovelnose sturgeon. The state's popular sport fish - largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, white bass and wiper, sunfish, trout, and catfish in rivers and streams - are off-limits to a speargun, gig, bow or snag. This follows the common rough-fish-only pattern: game fish are reserved for rod and reel, while nongame/rough fish may be speared, gigged or bow-fished.

On the license question there is no law-vs-practice gap. Kansas genuinely issues and enforces a fishing license, and it is required to fish by any method - including spearing, gigging and bowfishing - for anyone age 16 through 74. Residents 15 and younger are exempt, and the requirement caps at age 74 (75+ effectively exempt). Landowners and tenants get a limited exemption on their own agricultural waters. So a spearfisher must carry a license just like any angler.

Two gear points worth flagging for divers. First, Kansas regulation names only the 'spear gun' and the 'gig' - it does not mention pole spears or Hawaiian slings by name. Their legality is therefore ambiguous; any hand-powered spearing device would still be bound by the same nonsport-fish-only limit, the posted-open-to-diving requirement, and the line-tether rule, but a diver should confirm the specific device with KDWP before using it. Second, the speargun/skin-diving allowance is tied to a water being posted 'open to scuba and skin diving,' so you cannot assume every reservoir or lake is open to underwater spearfishing - check the posting at the specific water.

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Not permitted

Kansas is landlocked and has no marine or saltwater waters, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. All spearfishing occurs in fresh water (reservoirs, lakes, rivers and streams) under KDWP rules.

Freshwater

Legal

Spearfishing is legal but limited. A speargun without explosive charge may be used only while skin or scuba diving, only in waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving,' and only to take nonsport (rough) fish; the spear must be attached to the speargun or the person by a line. Nonsport species that may be taken by speargun/gig include grass carp, common carp, freshwater drum, threadfin and gizzard shad, longnose/shortnose/spotted gar and hybrids, bigmouth/smallmouth/black buffalo and hybrids, river carpsucker, quillback, white sucker, golden and shorthead redhorse, goldfish, goldeye, and shovelnose sturgeon; bullfrogs may also be taken. Sport/game fish may NOT be speared, gigged, bow-fished or snagged - except for paddlefish and nonsport fish (which may be snagged in designated waters during designated seasons), any fish hooked outside the mouth must be returned immediately and unrestrained to the water. 1236

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun
Legal for nonsport fish only, without explosive charge, and only while skin or scuba diving in waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving.' The spear must be attached to the speargun or the person by a line. 13
Pole spear
Not named in Kansas regulation. Only 'spear gun' and 'gig' are enumerated as legal spearing devices; a hand-propelled pole spear is neither expressly authorized nor expressly prohibited by name. Any spearing device is limited to nonsport fish and to waters posted open to scuba/skin diving, and the spear must be tethered by a line. Confirm specific-device legality with KDWP before use. 3
Hawaiian sling
Not named in Kansas regulation. As a hand-powered underwater spearing device it is neither expressly authorized nor prohibited by name; treat it as unverified and confirm with KDWP. Any such device would still be limited to nonsport fish, to waters posted open to scuba/skin diving, and to the line-tether requirement. 3
Spearfishing on SCUBA
Yes. Speargun use is expressly tied to 'skin or scuba diving,' and is permitted only in waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving.' Individual waters/land managers may post additional diving restrictions. 13

Gear restrictions

  • Speargun must be without explosive charge 13
  • The spear must be attached to the speargun or the person by a line 13
  • Speargun use is limited to nonsport fish and to waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving' 13
  • Bowfishing arrows must have barbed heads and each arrow must be attached by a line to the bow; crossbows are legal 12
  • Bowfishing is closed within 50 yards of an occupied boat dock or ramp, occupied swimming area, occupied picnic site, or occupied camping/public-use area 12

Do not spear

Prohibited species

  • All sport/game fish may NOT be taken by speargun, gig, bow or snag - this includes largemouth/smallmouth/spotted bass, white bass and wiper, striped bass, walleye/sauger/saugeye, crappie, bluegill and other sunfish, trout, and other black bass and panfish 26
  • Blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish may NOT be taken by bowfishing in rivers and streams (they may be bow-fished only in other waters where no length limits apply) 12
  • Paddlefish may be taken only by snagging in designated waters during designated seasons (with barbless hooks) - not by speargun or bow 23
  • Any threatened or endangered species; any species not classified as a nonsport fish for speargun/gig/bow take 6

Where you can't

Area restrictions

  • Spearguns may be used only in waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving' 13
  • Bowfishing is closed within 50 yards of an occupied boat dock or ramp, occupied swimming area, occupied picnic site, or occupied camping/public-use area 12
  • State fishing lakes, community lakes and individual impoundments may carry their own special regulations or posted closures; check the posting at each water 2

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

  • Kansas has no saltwater; all spearfishing is freshwater only
  • Spearfishing is a nonsport-fish-only method: a speargun may be used only while skin or scuba diving, only in waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving,' and only for rough fish 13
  • Sport/game fish may not be taken by speargun, gig, bow or snag; except for paddlefish and nonsport fish snagged in designated waters/seasons, any fish hooked outside the mouth must be returned immediately and unrestrained 26
  • The spear must be tethered to the speargun or the diver by a line 13
  • Bullfrogs may be taken by gig/spear (with the appropriate license) 1
  • Bowfishing anglers must carry a valid Kansas fishing license unless exempt; arrows must be barbed and line-tethered to the bow 12

What divers here typically use

Gear up for Kansas spearfishing

Where spearfishing is allowed in Kansas, 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 by any method (including spearing, gigging or bowfishing) without a required license, taking a species or using a method not authorized, or taking sport fish by an illegal method is a violation of Kansas wildlife law (K.S.A. Chapter 32) and KDWP regulations (K.A.R. 115-7-1), punishable by fines, court costs, possible license suspension and forfeiture of equipment. Specific fine amounts are set by statute and the courts and were not enumerated on the KDWP pages consulted.

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

  • Legality of pole spears and Hawaiian slings by name - Kansas regulation enumerates only 'spear gun' and 'gig'; hand-powered spearing devices are neither expressly authorized nor prohibited and should be confirmed with KDWP.
  • Exact penalty/fine dollar amounts for fishing without a license or unlawful method/species take (set by K.S.A. Chapter 32 and the courts; not stated on the KDWP pages consulted).
  • Whether any individual state fishing lake, community lake or reservoir is currently posted 'open to scuba and skin diving' - this is water-specific posting that must be checked on-site or with the local KDWP office.

Confirm these points directly with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) 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: KDWP - Legal Equipment (Fishing Regulations: spearguns, gigs, bowfishing, snagging, species and area rules)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://ksoutdoors.gov/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Legal-Equipment

  2. Source 2: Kansas Fishing - Rules and Regulations (KDWP official contracted digital regulations, eRegulations)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.eregulations.com/kansas/fishing/rules-and-regulations

  4. Source 4: KDWP - Fishing Licenses & Permit Fees (2026 costs) / eRegulations Licenses, Permits and Fees

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.eregulations.com/kansas/fishing/licenses-permits-and-fees

  5. Source 5: KDWP - License Requirements (age 16-74 requirement; under-16 and landowner/tenant exemptions)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://ksoutdoors.gov/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/License-Requirements

  6. Source 6: KDWP - Nonsport fish definition (Fishing Regulations Definitions)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Definitions/Nonsport-fish

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in Kansas?
Saltwater spearfishing is restricted in Kansas, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Kansas is landlocked and has no marine or saltwater waters, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. All spearfishing occurs in fresh water (reservoirs, lakes, rivers and…
Do you need a license to spearfish in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas requires the Kansas Fishing License. Resident cost: Resident Annual $27.50; Resident One-Day $6.00; Senior Resident (65-74) $15.00; Resident Five-Year $102.50; Multi-Year Youth (16-20) $42.50; Lifetime Fishing $502.50. Non-resident cost: Nonresident Annual $77.50; Nonresident Five-Day $27.50; Nonresident One-Day $12.50.
Can you spearfish on scuba in Kansas?
Yes. Speargun use is expressly tied to 'skin or scuba diving,' and is permitted only in waters posted 'open to scuba and skin diving.' Individual waters/land managers may post additional diving restrictions.
What can't you spear in Kansas?
Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Kansas include: All sport/game fish may NOT be taken by speargun, gig, bow or snag, Blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish may NOT be taken by bowfishing in rivers and streams, Paddlefish may be taken only by snagging in designated waters during designated seasons, Any threatened or endangered species; any species not classified as a nonsport fish for speargun/gig/bow take. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP).

Stay current

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

Regulations shift between seasons. We re-check Kansas'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 Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) before you dive.

← All regulations