Island Spear Co.

Regulations Michigan

Spearfishing Regulations in Michigan

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

Governing agency: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division. Last verified July 5, 2026 by independent primary-source check.

Summary

Michigan is a Great Lakes (freshwater) state with no ocean coast, so all spearfishing is freshwater under Michigan DNR rules. Spearfishing is legal and, unusually, Michigan expressly allows UNDERWATER spearing of certain game fish (Lake Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye) in specified Great Lakes zones under a FREE annual underwater spearfishing license, in addition to year-round spearing of rough/nongame fish (carp, suckers, gar, bowfin, catfish, drum, gizzard shad, whitefish, cisco, burbot, smelt, etc.) in most waters. Spearing gear is limited to hand-propelled, rubber-propelled and spring-propelled spears plus bow-and-arrow and crossbow; SCUBA and other artificial breathing devices are banned while underwater spearfishing. A standard Michigan fishing license (resident $26, nonresident $76 annual) is required to fish or spear, and the separate underwater spearfishing license is free but mandatory for the three game species named above.

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required
License
Michigan Fishing License (all-species) + free Underwater Spearfishing License (for underwater spearing of Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Who needs it
Anyone age 17 or older who targets fish (including by spear, bow or crossbow) in public waters of Michigan must hold a standard Michigan fishing license and carry it plus the ID used to buy it. On top of that, any angler/diver who intends to engage in UNDERWATER spearfishing for Lake Trout, Northern Pike or Walleye must request and be issued a separate, free annual underwater spearfishing license. The free license is a real, actively issued and enforced requirement, not a paper-only rule. 12
Resident cost
Resident Annual (all species) $26 (includes a $1 surcharge); Senior Annual (residents 65+ or legally blind) $11; Daily Fish $10/day; Voluntary Youth (16 and under) $2. Underwater Spearfishing License: Free (a $1 DNR Sportcard may be needed as ID). Fees for the license year Apr 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2027. 2
Non-resident cost
Nonresident Annual (all species) $76 (includes a $1 surcharge); Daily Fish $10/day. Underwater Spearfishing License: Free for residents and nonresidents alike (a DNR Sportcard may be needed). 2
Where to buy
Online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, at license retail dealers statewide, and at DNR Customer Service Centers. The free underwater spearfishing license is obtained the same way (a DNR Sportcard may be needed as proof of identity/residency). 2

Exemptions

  • Anyone under 17 may fish/spear without a license (must still follow all rules) 2
  • Michigan resident veterans determined 100% permanently and totally disabled (or individually unemployable) by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs - free fishing license 2
  • Full-time active-duty U.S. military who are Michigan residents - license fee waived; nonresident active-duty stationed in Michigan qualify for resident rates 2
  • Residents with a developmental disability (with a court-appointed guardian) - free mentored hunting license that includes all-species fishing 2
  • Residents of a licensed home for the aged may get a DNR permit to fish without a license when in a group accompanied by licensed adults 2

The full story

The full story

Michigan is a freshwater, Great Lakes state - there is no ocean here - so 'spearfishing' is entirely a freshwater question governed by DNR Fisheries Order FO-219 (current version FO-219.26, effective April 1, 2026). What makes Michigan stand out from most inland states is that it does NOT limit spearing to rough fish. It runs an allow-list, but that list includes some prized game fish taken by breath-hold underwater spear: Lake Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye in defined zones of Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie and Superior. On top of that, a long list of nongame/rough species (bowfin, bullheads, burbot, carp, catfish, drum, gizzard shad, goldfish, grass carp, cisco, longnose gar, smelt, suckers and whitefish) is open year-round in most waters, and Northern Pike/Muskellunge may be taken with a hand spear through the ice Dec 1 - Mar 15.

On the license question there is NO law-vs-practice gap, but there is a nuance worth flagging. Two licenses are in play. First, the ordinary Michigan all-species fishing license (resident $26, nonresident $76 annual) is genuinely required for anyone 17+ who targets fish by any method, including spear. Second - and this is the one divers miss - Michigan requires a SEPARATE, FREE annual 'underwater spearfishing license' before you may underwater-spear Lake Trout, Northern Pike or Walleye. 'Free' does not mean optional: the DNR actually issues it, Conservation Officers enforce it, and it comes bundled with hard conditions - you must be fully submerged, no SCUBA or re-breathers, no bait or decoys, no spearing from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, a 150-foot standoff from swimming areas/docks/boat access/power intakes, and the location-specific size and possession limits for those three species. So the honest answer to 'is a license required?' is yes on both counts.

One thing has genuinely changed and older guides get it wrong: the prior order (FO-219.25) and various third-party digests said underwater spearfishers had to file MONTHLY effort-and-harvest reports with the Department. The 2026 order (FO-219.26, adopted November 6, 2025) dropped that reporting requirement - it no longer appears in Note 4 of the order or in the 2026 DNR digest. Divers should still get the free license, but they are not on the hook for monthly reports. The 2026 order also expanded underwater spearfishing to additional Great Lakes waters. Because the geographic zones, closed lakes, and seasonal port/river closures are detailed and change year to year, always read the current FO-219 and the annual digest for the exact coordinates before you dive.

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Not permitted

Michigan has NO ocean or saltwater coast. Its great open waters are four freshwater Great Lakes (Michigan, Huron, Erie, Superior) plus connecting waters (Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, St. Clair River, St. Marys River) and thousands of inland lakes and streams. There is no marine/saltwater spearfishing in Michigan; all spearing is freshwater under Michigan DNR Fisheries Order FO-219. 1

Freshwater

Legal

Legal, and broader than most inland states because Michigan expressly permits underwater spearing of some game fish in the Great Lakes. Under FO-219.26, spear/bow/crossbow may take Bowfin, Bullheads, Burbot, Carp, Catfish, Drum, Gizzard Shad, Goldfish, Grass Carp, Cisco (Lake Herring), Longnose Gar, Smelt, Suckers (broadly defined - includes redhorse, buffalo, lake chubsucker, quillback carpsucker) and Whitefish year-round in all waters EXCEPT designated trout lakes and designated trout streams. Northern Pike and Muskellunge may be taken with a HAND-propelled spear Dec 1 - Mar 15 (through the ice) in non-trout waters. In specified Great Lakes zones, Lake Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye may be taken by UNDERWATER spear under a free underwater spearfishing license (Northern Pike possession season by underwater spear is July 1 - Mar 15). Certain designated trout streams open Apr 1 - May 31 for spearing the listed nongame species. Game fish not named in the order (bass, panfish, most trout, salmon, yellow perch except Lake St. Clair) may NOT be speared. 12

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun
Rubber-propelled and spring-propelled spears (spearguns/pole-spears of that type) are legal, but ONLY while the user is submerged and with the spear attached to a control line no longer than 20 feet. For underwater spearing of Lake Trout/Northern Pike/Walleye a free underwater spearfishing license is required. When moving between fishing areas or entering/exiting the water, all spearguns must have the bands unloaded from the spear and the safety on. 1
Pole spear
A hand-propelled spear is expressly allowed. A hand-propelled spear is the ONLY spear gear allowed for Northern Pike and Muskellunge Dec 1 - Mar 15 (through the ice). For Yellow Perch on Lake St. Clair (Dec 1 - Mar 15) a hand-propelled spear, bow and arrow, or crossbow may be used (rubber/spring spearguns are not authorized there). Hand-propelled spears may take the year-round nongame species list in open waters. 1
Hawaiian sling
Not named by the term 'Hawaiian sling' in Michigan's order. A rubber-powered sling would fall under 'rubber-propelled spear,' which is legal only while submerged and only with the spear attached to a line no longer than 20 feet - a free-shafted (untethered) sling would not meet that attached-line requirement for a rubber-propelled spear. Confirm your rig against the 20-foot attached-line rule. 1
Spearfishing on SCUBA
No. Use of artificial breathing devices such as SCUBA, re-breathers or similar devices is expressly PROHIBITED while underwater spearfishing. Underwater spearing must be done on breath-hold, fully submerged. 12

Gear restrictions

  • Spearing gear is limited to hand-propelled, rubber-propelled and spring-propelled spears; bow-and-arrow and crossbow are also allowed 1
  • Rubber-propelled and spring-propelled spears may be used only while submerged and only with the spear attached to a control line not exceeding 20 feet 1
  • SCUBA, re-breathers and similar artificial breathing devices are banned while underwater spearfishing 12
  • Bait, attractants and decoys are prohibited while underwater spearfishing 1
  • Underwater spearing is prohibited daily from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise 1
  • Underwater spearing is prohibited within 150 feet of designated swimming areas, boat docks, boat access/egress sites and power intake tubes 1
  • Underwater spearing is prohibited where placing a diver-down flag would restrict boater navigation or access to boating access sites 1
  • When moving between areas or entering/exiting the water, spearguns must be unloaded (bands off the spear) with the safety on 1
  • Artificial lights may be used while spearing 1

Do not spear

Prohibited species

  • Largemouth, smallmouth and other black bass - not on any spearing allow-list; may not be speared (hook-and-line only) 1
  • Panfish such as bluegill, sunfish, crappie and rock bass - not listed for spearing 1
  • Yellow Perch - may NOT be speared EXCEPT on Lake St. Clair, where a hand-propelled spear/bow/crossbow may take Yellow Perch Dec 1 - Mar 15 1
  • Walleye - may be taken ONLY by underwater spear in the specified Great Lakes zones under the free underwater spearfishing license; may not otherwise be speared 1
  • Lake Trout - may be taken ONLY by underwater spear in the specified Great Lakes zones under the free license; other trout and all salmon may not be speared 1
  • Brook, brown, rainbow/steelhead trout and Pacific salmon (Chinook, Coho) - not on any spearing allow-list 1
  • Muskellunge - hook-and-line only in Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River and St. Clair River, and in a list of named inland lakes; elsewhere allowed only by hand-propelled spear Dec 1 - Mar 15 1
  • Northern Pike - hook-and-line only in a list of named inland lakes (Budd, Lake Ovid, Lake Hudson, Chicagon, etc.); elsewhere allowed by hand spear Dec 1 - Mar 15 or by underwater spear in the Great Lakes zones 1
  • Lake Sturgeon and other protected/threatened species - not a spearing target 1

Where you can't

Area restrictions

  • Designated Trout Lakes (Type A/D) and Designated Trout Streams are closed to spearing year-round, except the named designated trout streams that open Apr 1 - May 31 for spearing the listed nongame species 1
  • Underwater spearing prohibited within 150 feet of designated swimming areas, boat docks, boat access/egress sites and power intake tubes 1
  • Ports of Muskegon, Whitehall/Montague and Grand Haven: possession and use of spears, bow-and-arrow or crossbow is unlawful (hook-and-line only) Nov 1 - Nov 30 1
  • Cheboygan County - Black River, Cheboygan River and Indian River: no taking fish with spearing gear or gaff hook Apr 1 - June 15 1
  • Lake Superior: underwater spearfishing closed at Stannard Rock and Big Reef (defined lat/long boxes) and within a 4.5-mile radius of Isle Royale 1
  • Muskellunge spearing closed (hook-and-line only) in Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River and St. Clair River 1
  • Named inland lakes closed to spearing of Northern Pike and Muskellunge (e.g., Kingston Lake, Budd Lake, Lake Ovid, Lake Hudson, Chicagon Lake, Campau/Murray Lakes, Bankson/Round Lakes and others listed in FO-219.26 List A) 1
  • Underwater spearing of Lake Trout/Northern Pike/Walleye is allowed only inside the specific Great Lakes zones defined in FO-219.26 (defined stretches of Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie and Superior); outside those zones underwater spearing of those species is not authorized 1
  • National/state park and other special-jurisdiction waters may impose additional or hook-and-line-only rules - check the specific water 1

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

  • Michigan has no saltwater; all spearfishing is freshwater in the Great Lakes, connecting waters and inland lakes/streams 1
  • Unusual among inland states: Michigan expressly allows breath-hold UNDERWATER spearing of game fish (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye) in defined Great Lakes zones, under a free underwater spearfishing license 12
  • The 2026 order EXPANDED underwater spearfishing to additional Great Lakes waters 2
  • The free underwater spearfishing license is genuinely required and issued - it is not a paper-only rule; law and practice agree 12
  • As of the 2026 order (FO-219.26) divers NO LONGER file monthly effort/harvest reports - that requirement from the prior 219.25 order was dropped (older third-party guides may still list it) 1
  • Underwater spearing is breath-hold only; SCUBA/re-breathers, bait, attractants and decoys are all banned, and it is closed from 30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise 1
  • Spearing operates as an allow-list: only the species named in the order for a given gear/season/water may be taken - everything else (bass, panfish, most trout, salmon) is hook-and-line only 1
  • 'Suckers' is defined broadly (longnose/white/northern hog/spotted suckers, all redhorse, bigmouth/black buffalo, lake chubsucker, quillback carpsucker) 1

What divers here typically use

Gear up for Michigan spearfishing

Where spearfishing is allowed in Michigan, 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 in violation of Michigan's fishing rules is a criminal offense under 1994 PA 451 (Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act). Per the 2026 digest penalty schedule: a general fishing violation under MCL 324.41105 carries up to a $100 fine OR up to 60 days jail for a first offense ($50-$250 or 20-90 days for a second), with license revocation optional. More serious violations under MCL 324.48702a carry a $500-$1,000 fine plus prosecution costs and up to 93 days jail for a first offense ($1,000-$2,500 and up to 1 year for a subsequent offense), with license/permit revocation REQUIRED. Violators can also lose their fishing equipment. Enforced by Michigan Conservation Officers. 2

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

  • Whether a Wisconsin/Michigan Great Lakes boundary-water restriction affects spearing - a third-party summary claimed Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters are 'closed to spearing,' but FO-219.26 actually OPENS defined Lake Michigan and Lake Superior stretches from the MI/WI border for underwater spearing; the third-party claim could not be confirmed and appears incorrect.
  • Exact size limits and daily possession limits for Lake Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye taken by underwater spear - the order applies the standard location-specific limits (see the species/waters tables in the digest); the specific numbers per zone were not enumerated here.
  • Precise legal descriptions/coordinates of every named closed inland lake, port and trout stream - the representative examples above are taken verbatim from FO-219.26 List A/B, but the full lists should be read directly before diving a specific water.
  • Any additional municipal, county, state-park or federal (e.g., National Lakeshore/National Park) diving, dive-flag or boating rules layered on top of DNR fishing rules were not separately researched.

Confirm these points directly with Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division 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.

  3. Source 3: Michigan DNR - Fishing Regulations (official agency landing page for the annual digest, fisheries orders and license info)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in Michigan?
Saltwater spearfishing is restricted in Michigan, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Michigan has NO ocean or saltwater coast. Its great open waters are four freshwater Great Lakes (Michigan, Huron, Erie, Superior) plus connecting waters (Lake St. Clair, Detroit…
Do you need a license to spearfish in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan requires the Michigan Fishing License (all-species) + free Underwater Spearfishing License (for underwater spearing of Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye). Resident cost: Resident Annual (all species) $26 (includes a $1 surcharge); Senior Annual (residents 65+ or legally blind) $11; Daily Fish $10/day; Voluntary Youth (16 and under) $2. Underwater Spearfishing License: Free (a $1 DNR Sportcard may be needed as ID). Fees for the license year Apr 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2027. Non-resident cost: Nonresident Annual (all species) $76 (includes a $1 surcharge); Daily Fish $10/day. Underwater Spearfishing License: Free for residents and nonresidents alike (a DNR Sportcard may be needed).
Can you spearfish on scuba in Michigan?
No. Use of artificial breathing devices such as SCUBA, re-breathers or similar devices is expressly PROHIBITED while underwater spearfishing. Underwater spearing must be done on breath-hold, fully submerged.
What can't you spear in Michigan?
Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Michigan include: Largemouth, smallmouth and other black bass, Panfish such as bluegill, sunfish, crappie and rock bass, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Lake Trout, Brook, brown, rainbow/steelhead trout and Pacific salmon, Muskellunge, Northern Pike. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division.

Stay current

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

Regulations shift between seasons. We re-check Michigan'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 Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division before you dive.

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