Island Spear Co.

Regulations Maine

Spearfishing Regulations in Maine

Checked against the primary source (Maine Department of Marine Resources) on July 5, 2026state

Governing agency: Maine Department of Marine Resources (saltwater); Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (freshwater). Last verified July 5, 2026 by independent primary-source check.

Summary

Maine is a coastal state and recreational spearfishing IS legal in its marine (saltwater) waters for a defined list of finfish (winter/summer flounder, cunner, tautog, haddock, Atlantic cod, pollock, bluefish, Atlantic menhaden), while several species (notably striped bass, black sea bass, halibut, sturgeon, Atlantic salmon, shad and lobster) may NOT be speared 1. In inland (fresh) waters, spearing and spear guns are broadly prohibited by statute; the only exception is taking suckers by hand spear or archery between April 1 and June 30, meaning game fish such as trout, salmon and bass cannot be speared (s3, s4). Anyone 16 or older needs to be covered: a $1 Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry for marine fishing, or a Maine inland fishing license for freshwater (s2, s5).

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required
License
Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (marine waters) or Maine Inland Fishing License (fresh waters)
Who needs it
Anyone 16 or older who spearfishes. For saltwater/marine spearfishing you must be listed in the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (or qualify for an exemption). For inland/freshwater sucker spearing you must hold a valid Maine fishing license (s2, s5).
Resident cost
Saltwater Registry: $1 online via DMR LEEDS (or $2 through an IFW license agent), uniform for residents and nonresidents 2. Resident inland season fishing license: $30 5.
Non-resident cost
Saltwater Registry: $1 online via DMR LEEDS (or $2 through an IFW license agent), uniform for residents and nonresidents 2. Nonresident inland season fishing license: $83 5.
Where to buy
Online through the DMR LEEDS licensing system (saltwater registry) at maine.gov/dmr, or the IFW online system and appointed license agents for inland licenses (s2, s5).

Exemptions

  • Under 16 years of age (s2, s5)
  • Holders of a valid Maine freshwater/inland fishing license are exempt from the separate Saltwater Registry (except Lifetime License holders) 2
  • Holders of a valid DMR commercial fishing license are exempt from the Saltwater Registry 2
  • Maine residents fishing only on Memorial Day weekend, July 4th, or Labor Day weekend are exempt from the Saltwater Registry 2
  • Members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or Aroostook Band of Micmacs 2
  • Passengers on a licensed for-hire (charter/party) vessel, and anglers already registered in another state's program, are exempt from the Maine Saltwater Registry 2
  • Inland license: certain complimentary categories (blind residents, disabled veterans with 50%+ service-connected disability, persons with qualifying disabilities, tribal members) and resident landowners fishing their own 10+ contiguous acres 5

The full story

The full story

Maine's spearfishing 'license' picture is a real requirement but a cheap one, and it splits along the saltwater/freshwater line. For marine spearfishing there is no expensive dedicated saltwater fishing license the way some states have - instead the law requires anyone 16 or older to be listed in the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry, which costs just $1 online (uniform for residents and nonresidents) and is waived entirely if you already hold a Maine inland fishing license. So the requirement is genuine and enforced (you must be able to show registration or proof of exemption while fishing or transporting catch), but in practice it is a one-dollar registration, not a barrier 2.

For inland waters the story is the opposite of permissive. Maine statute (Title 12 s12656) flatly makes it unlawful to fish with a spear or spear gun in fresh water, and the only carve-out (Title 12 s12506) lets licensed anglers take suckers - a rough/nongame fish - by hand spear or lined barbed-arrow archery between April 1 and June 30. That means the classic freshwater pattern holds here: game fish (trout, landlocked salmon, bass, togue) are strictly rod-and-reel and may never be speared, while the narrow nongame exception for suckers is the entire legal footprint for freshwater spearing (s3, s4).

The marine allowed-species list is also narrower than divers sometimes assume. DMR names the exact finfish you may spear, and separately names the ones you may not (striped bass, black sea bass, halibut, both sturgeons, Atlantic salmon, shad, and lobster). Both lists are subject to change and to the same size/bag limits as other gear, so the operative rule is: spear only what DMR's current list explicitly allows, and re-check limits before every trip.

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Legal

Recreational spearfishing is legal in Maine's marine waters for a specific list of species: winter flounder, summer flounder, cunner, tautog, haddock, Atlantic cod, pollock, bluefish and Atlantic menhaden. Size limits, bag limits and other species restrictions apply and change frequently, so check the current DMR species regulations before diving 1.

Freshwater

Not permitted

Spearing is broadly prohibited in Maine inland waters: Title 12 s12656 makes it unlawful to fish with a grapnel, spear, spear gun, trawl, weir, gaff, seine, gill net, trap or set lines. The ONLY exception is suckers, which persons licensed or otherwise entitled to fish may take for their own use between April 1 and June 30 from rivers, streams and brooks open to fishing, using a hand spear, archery equipment, or by snagging (Title 12 s12506). Game fish (trout, landlocked salmon, bass, togue and other sport species) may NOT be speared (s3, s4, s6).

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun
Permitted in marine/saltwater waters for the allowed species 1. Prohibited in inland/fresh waters, where spear guns are specifically named in the statutory ban (Title 12 s12656) (s3, s4).
Pole spear
Hand spears/pole spears are permitted in marine waters for the allowed species 1. In fresh water, a hand spear may only be used to take suckers between April 1 and June 30 (Title 12 s12506); it is otherwise prohibited (s3, s4, s6).
Hawaiian sling
Not specifically named in Maine regulations. DMR does not restrict spear type for allowed marine species, so a Hawaiian sling would fall under general spearfishing gear in saltwater; there is no primary-source language confirming or naming it, so treat as unverified (see unverified).
Spearfishing on SCUBA
Maine DMR and IFW regulations reviewed do not address using SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) while spearfishing; no primary-source confirmation was found (see unverified).

Gear restrictions

  • Inland: if archery equipment is used to take suckers, the arrow or bolt must have a barbed or pronged point and be attached to the bow with a line (Title 12 s12506) 6
  • Inland spear/spear-gun use is unlawful except for the April 1-June 30 sucker season (Title 12 s12656) (s3, s4)

Do not spear

Prohibited species

  • Striped bass - may not be speared (marine) 1
  • Black sea bass - may not be speared (marine) 1
  • Atlantic halibut - may not be speared (marine) 1
  • Atlantic sturgeon - may not be speared (marine) 1
  • Shortnose sturgeon - may not be speared (marine) 1
  • Atlantic salmon - may not be speared (marine) 1
  • American shad - may not be speared (marine) 1
  • American lobster - may not be taken by spear (marine) 1
  • All inland game fish (trout, landlocked salmon, bass, togue and other sport species) - spearing prohibited in fresh water; only suckers may be speared Apr 1-Jun 30 (s3, s4)

Where you can't

Area restrictions

  • No spearfishing-specific distance-from-swimmers, pier, or beach setback rule was found in DMR or IFW primary sources (see unverified).
  • Inland spearing (suckers) is limited to rivers, streams and brooks that are open to fishing, during April 1-June 30 (Title 12 s12506) (s3, s4, s6).
  • Species-specific closed areas and seasons set by DMR (marine) and IFW (inland) apply and change; verify current rules before diving 1.

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

  • Two agencies: marine/saltwater spearfishing is governed by the Dept. of Marine Resources; inland/freshwater by the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (s1, s3).
  • The marine allowed-species list is closed-ended: you may only spear the finfish DMR names (flounders, cunner, tautog, haddock, cod, pollock, bluefish, menhaden). If a species is not on that list or is on the prohibited list, do not spear it 1.
  • Freshwater spearing is essentially banned - the sole legal target is suckers, taken by hand spear or lined barbed archery, April 1 through June 30 (s3, s4).
  • A valid Maine inland (freshwater) fishing license exempts you from the separate $1 Saltwater Registry, so many divers are already covered 2.
  • Marine size and bag limits apply to speared fish just as to hook-and-line, and change frequently - confirm current DMR limits before each trip 1.

What divers here typically use

Gear up for Maine spearfishing

Maine's water runs cold, so divers here tend to reach for a thicker open-cell wetsuit before anything else. Our honest guide to the Best Spearfishing Wetsuit walks through what to look for — curated from published specs and community consensus, not paid placement.

If you break them

Penalties

Violations of Maine's marine resources laws (DMR) and inland fisheries laws (IFW) carry fines and possible license/registration suspension; many are civil violations or Class E crimes under Title 12. Specific fine amounts for spearfishing violations were not confirmed from a primary source (see unverified). Contact a local Marine Patrol Officer (DMR) or IFW warden for enforcement questions 1.

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

  • Whether SCUBA/self-contained underwater breathing apparatus is permitted while spearfishing in Maine marine waters - not addressed in DMR or IFW primary sources reviewed.
  • Explicit legality or naming of Hawaiian slings as a gear type - Maine regulations do not name sling-type gear specifically; only 'spear' and 'spear gun' language was found.
  • Any spearfishing-specific setback distance from swimmers, swimming beaches, piers, docks, or public boat launches - no such rule was found in the DMR/IFW sources reviewed.
  • Specific monetary fine amounts and penalty classes for spearfishing-specific violations - general Title 12 enforcement exists but exact spearfishing penalty figures were not confirmed from a primary source.
  • Current numeric size and bag limits for each speared marine species - DMR states limits apply and change; individual current values were not captured here and should be read from the live DMR species regulations.

Confirm these points directly with Maine Department of Marine Resources (saltwater); Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (freshwater) 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: Maine DMR - Saltwater Spearfishing Frequently Asked Questions

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www1.maine.gov/dmr/fisheries/recreational/fishing-regulations-tips/spearfishing-FAQ

  2. Source 2: Maine DMR - Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (who must register, cost, exemptions)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.maine.gov/dmr/fisheries/recreational/licenses-registry/saltwater-recreational-fishing-registry-license

  3. Source 3: Maine IFW - General Fishing Laws and Definitions (spear/spear gun prohibition; sucker exception)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/laws-definitions.html

  4. Source 4: Maine Legislature - Title 12 s12656, Manner of taking (unlawful inland fishing methods; 'spear, spear gun' named)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/12/title12sec12656.html

  5. Source 5: Maine IFW - License Requirements and Fees (age requirement, resident/nonresident fees, exemptions)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/license-requirements.html

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in Maine?
Yes — spearfishing is legal in Maine's saltwater, but it is not permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Recreational spearfishing is legal in Maine's marine waters for a specific list of species: winter flounder, summer flounder, cunner, tautog, haddock, Atlantic cod, pollock,…
Do you need a license to spearfish in Maine?
Yes. Maine requires the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (marine waters) or Maine Inland Fishing License (fresh waters). Resident cost: Saltwater Registry: $1 online via DMR LEEDS (or $2 through an IFW license agent), uniform for residents and nonresidents. Resident inland season fishing license: $30. Non-resident cost: Saltwater Registry: $1 online via DMR LEEDS (or $2 through an IFW license agent), uniform for residents and nonresidents. Nonresident inland season fishing license: $83.
Can you spearfish on scuba in Maine?
Maine DMR and IFW regulations reviewed do not address using SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) while spearfishing; no primary-source confirmation was found (see unverified).
What can't you spear in Maine?
Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Maine include: Striped bass, Black sea bass, Atlantic halibut, Atlantic sturgeon, Shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic salmon, American shad, American lobster. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Maine Department of Marine Resources (saltwater); Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (freshwater).

Stay current

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

Regulations shift between seasons. We re-check Maine'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 Maine Department of Marine Resources (saltwater); Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (freshwater) before you dive.

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