Spearfishing Regulations in New Mexico

License

New Mexico Fishing License (or Game-Hunting and Fishing License)

Who needs it

Any resident or nonresident angler 12 years of age or older must possess a valid New Mexico fishing license to take fish by any method, including spearfishing and bow fishing. Licenses are not required for anglers 11 or younger. 13

Resident cost

Resident Annual Fishing $35.00 (effective April 1, 2026); Junior Annual (age 12-17) $5.00; Senior Annual (age 65-69) $8.00; age 70+ Annual $0.00 (free); Disabled Annual $8.00; One-Day $12.00; Five-Day $30.00. Anglers 12+ also need a Habitat Stamp to fish U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and BLM lands, plus a Habitat Management and Access Validation (not required for those 17 and younger). 13

Non-resident cost

Nonresident Annual Fishing $90.00 (effective April 1, 2026); Nonresident Junior Annual (age 12-17) $20.00; One-Day $12.00; Five-Day $30.00. No nonresident senior/free options. 13

Where to buy

Online at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us, by phone toll-free 1-888-248-6866, at license vendors statewide, and at all NMDOW offices. 13

Speargun

Not named individually in New Mexico regulations. NMDOW lists the legal means of take for spearfishing as 'spears, arrows with barbs and gigs' and states spears 'can be discharged above or below the water surface,' which covers speargun-launched spears within the general 'spear' category. No CO2/cartridge-power ban and no speargun-specific rules appear in the booklet. 1

Pole spear

Not named individually; a hand-propelled pole spear falls under the general 'spears' allowed for spearfishing (discharged above or below the surface) and is subject to the same water and species limits. 1

Hawaiian sling

Not named in New Mexico regulations. As a hand-powered spear device it falls under the general 'spears' category permitted for spearfishing; not expressly authorized or prohibited by name. 1

Spearfishing on SCUBA

Yes - SCUBA divers and snorkelers may spear fish, but only in impoundments (reservoirs, lakes and ponds) open to fishing; not in rivers, streams, Special Trout Waters or Trophy Bass Waters. NMDOW directs snorkelers and SCUBA divers to consult New Mexico State Park regulations before spearfishing. 1

• Any threatened or endangered species of fish must be returned and released immediately where designated (the booklet's only stated exception is Gila trout in waters where designated) 1
• Largemouth bass in the three designated Trophy Bass Waters - Lake Roberts, Clayton Lake and Bill Evans Lake - may NOT be taken by spearfishing or bow fishing 1
• All game fish are off-limits to spearing in rivers, streams and Special Trout Waters (spearing/bow fishing for game fish is allowed only in lakes and reservoirs open to angling) 12
• Kokanee salmon may be snagged only during the Special Kokanee Snagging Season, not taken by snagging generally; any non-kokanee species caught by snagging must be returned immediately (this is a snagging rule, distinct from spearfishing) 1

• Spearfishing and bow fishing are prohibited in every river and stream statewide - lakes and reservoirs open to angling only 12
• Prohibited in all Special Trout Waters (STWs) 1
• Prohibited for largemouth bass in the three Trophy Bass Waters: Lake Roberts, Clayton Lake, Bill Evans Lake 1
• SCUBA/snorkel spearfishing limited to impoundments (reservoirs, lakes, ponds) open to fishing 1
• New Mexico State Park boating and swim-area rules apply at state-park waters; NMDOW directs divers to consult NM State Parks regulations before spearfishing 1
• Under New Mexico State Parks boating regulations (18.17.2 NMAC), vessels must stay at least 150 feet away from swimmers, fishermen, diver flags and others not engaged in the same activity - relevant when spearing near boat traffic 5
• Local ordinances or prohibitions may apply at specific waters; contact the local managing agency first 12
• On tribal/reservation waters, tribal government permission is required (state license generally not required, except Cochiti Lake) 1

• New Mexico is one of the few landlocked states that permits spearing and bow fishing for GAME FISH (in lakes and reservoirs open to angling), not just rough/nongame fish - bag and size limits are the same as angling 12
• The department was renamed from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to New Mexico Department of Wildlife (NMDOW); the website domain is still wildlife.dgf.nm.gov 1
• License fees increased effective April 1, 2026 (resident annual $25 to $35, nonresident annual $56 to $90) 1
• Spears may be discharged above OR below the water surface 1
• Anglers 12+ also need a Habitat Stamp for U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and BLM waters, and a Habitat Management and Access Validation 1
• Gila trout is the sole booklet-stated exception to the immediate-release rule for threatened/endangered fish, and only where designated - most Gila trout waters are Special Trout Waters where spearfishing is prohibited anyway 1

Fishing without a required license, or taking fish by an unlawful method, in a prohibited water, or of a protected species, violates New Mexico wildlife law (NMSA 1978 Chapter 17 and 19.31.10 NMAC) and can result in fines, license revocation and loss of fishing privileges. New Mexico wildlife/trespass offenses are charged as misdemeanors or petty misdemeanors; for fishing-related criminal trespass the State Wildlife Commission may revoke a fishing license for not less than three years. Exact dollar fine amounts for spearfishing/license violations are set by statute and were not enumerated in the fishing booklet consulted. 14

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

1. [1]
   Source 1: New Mexico Department of Wildlife (NMDOW) - 2026-2027 New Mexico Fishing Rules and Information booklet (official RIB PDF): 'Bow Fishing and Spearfishing' section, Glossary definitions of Spearfishing / Bow Fishing / Game Fish, license fee table and age rules, Trophy Bass Waters, threatened/endangered release rule, Free Fishing Weekend

   Retrieved July 5, 2026 · https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-2027-FISH-RIB_Online.pdf

2. [2]
   Source 2: New Mexico Department of Wildlife / eRegulations - New Mexico Fishing General Regulations (Bow Fishing and Spearfishing)

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

3. [3]
   Source 3: New Mexico Department of Wildlife - Licenses & Permits / Requirements & Fees (2026-2027 fishing license fees and age requirements)

   Retrieved July 5, 2026 · https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/licenses-permits/requirements-fees/

4. [4]
   Source 4: New Mexico Administrative Code 19.31.10 NMAC (Fishing rule; definitions and methods of take), New Mexico State Records Center & Archives

   Retrieved July 5, 2026 · https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title19/19.031.0010.html

5. [5]
   Source 5: New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) - State Parks Division Boating Regulations (codified 18.17.2 NMAC): vessels must keep 150 feet from swimmers, water skiers, fishermen, diver flags and others not in the same activity

   Retrieved July 5, 2026 · https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/activities/boating-2/regulations/

Is spearfishing legal in New Mexico?

Saltwater spearfishing is restricted in New Mexico, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. New Mexico is landlocked and has no marine or saltwater waters, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. All spearfishing takes place in fresh water (lakes, reservoirs and…

Do you need a license to spearfish in New Mexico?

Yes. New Mexico requires the New Mexico Fishing License (or Game-Hunting and Fishing License). Resident cost: Resident Annual Fishing $35.00 (effective April 1, 2026); Junior Annual (age 12-17) $5.00; Senior Annual (age 65-69) $8.00; age 70+ Annual $0.00 (free); Disabled Annual $8.00; One-Day $12.00; Five-Day $30.00. Anglers 12+ also need a Habitat Stamp to fish U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and BLM lands, plus a Habitat Management and Access Validation (not required for those 17 and younger). Non-resident cost: Nonresident Annual Fishing $90.00 (effective April 1, 2026); Nonresident Junior Annual (age 12-17) $20.00; One-Day $12.00; Five-Day $30.00. No nonresident senior/free options.

Can you spearfish on scuba in New Mexico?

Yes - SCUBA divers and snorkelers may spear fish, but only in impoundments (reservoirs, lakes and ponds) open to fishing; not in rivers, streams, Special Trout Waters or Trophy Bass Waters. NMDOW directs snorkelers and SCUBA divers to consult New Mexico State Park regulations…

What can't you spear in New Mexico?

Protected or no-take species you may not spear in New Mexico include: Any threatened or endangered species of fish must be returned and released immediately where designated, Largemouth bass in the three designated Trophy Bass Waters, All game fish are off-limits to spearing in rivers, streams and Special Trout Waters, Kokanee salmon may be snagged only during the Special Kokanee Snagging Season, not taken by snagging generally; any non-kokanee species caught by snagging must be returned immediately. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with New Mexico Department of Wildlife (NMDOW, formerly New Mexico Department of Game and Fish).