Is spearfishing legal in Texas?

Yes — spearfishing is legal in Texas's saltwater, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Spearfishing is legal in Texas coastal and Gulf waters, but ONLY for nongame fish. Because 'Game fish may be taken only by pole and line', you may NOT spear red drum (redfish),…

Do you need a license to spearfish in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires the Texas Fishing License with the appropriate water endorsement -- Freshwater Package, Saltwater Package, or All-Water Package (a Saltwater endorsement is needed to spear in coastal/tidal waters; an All-Water package covers both). Resident cost: Freshwater Package $30; Saltwater Package $35; All-Water Package $40; Senior (65+) packages $12/$17/$22; One-Day All-Water License $11. (An administrative/convenience fee typically applies to online and phone purchases; the exact amount was not itemized on the TPWD packages page reviewed.) Non-resident cost: Freshwater Package $58; Saltwater Package $63; All-Water Package $68; One-Day All-Water License $16.

Can you spearfish on scuba in Texas?

Not specifically addressed by TPWD's device rules. Spearing (a 'hand-operated device held underwater') is inherently done submerged and is not prohibited on scuba, but no rule expressly permits or restricts scuba for spearing nongame fish -- verify current TPWD guidance and any…

What can't you spear in Texas?

Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Texas include: ALL GAME FISH may NOT be speared, Saltwater game fish that may NOT be speared: red drum, Endangered/threatened species may not be taken by any method: paddlefish, shovelnose sturgeon, sawfish 'and others', Sea turtles may not be taken, killed, or disturbed; nor may diamondback terrapin or marine mammals such as porpoises, dolphins, or whales. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Regulations Texas

Spearfishing Regulations in Texas

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

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

Summary

Texas has a long Gulf of Mexico coast, and spearfishing is legal in both salt and fresh water -- but ONLY for nongame fish. Texas is one of the strictest states for spearos: by statute, game fish may be taken only by pole and line, so a spear, speargun, or gig may never lawfully take a game fish anywhere in Texas. That puts nearly every iconic saltwater target (redfish/red drum, speckled trout, snook, tarpon, cobia, mackerel) off-limits to a spear, leaving nongame species such as flounder, sheepshead, black drum, and mullet in salt water and gar, carp, and buffalo in fresh water. A Texas fishing license with the appropriate Freshwater, Saltwater, or All-Water endorsement is genuinely required and enforced.

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required

License: Texas Fishing License with the appropriate water endorsement -- Freshwater Package, Saltwater Package, or All-Water Package (a Saltwater endorsement is needed to spear in coastal/tidal waters; an All-Water package covers both)
Who needs it: Any person who takes or attempts to take fish or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas must hold a current Texas fishing license with the appropriate endorsement -- this applies to spearfishing, gigging, and bowfishing just as it does to rod-and-reel. Choose a Saltwater or All-Water package to spear in the Gulf and coastal bays, or a Freshwater or All-Water package for inland waters. (s2, s3, s4)
Resident cost: Freshwater Package $30; Saltwater Package $35; All-Water Package $40; Senior (65+) packages $12/$17/$22; One-Day All-Water License $11. (An administrative/convenience fee typically applies to online and phone purchases; the exact amount was not itemized on the TPWD packages page reviewed.) 4
Non-resident cost: Freshwater Package $58; Saltwater Package $63; All-Water Package $68; One-Day All-Water License $16. 4
Where to buy: Online through the TPWD Outdoor Annual / license system at tpwd.texas.gov, by phone, or from license retailers (sporting goods stores, tackle shops) statewide. 4

Exemptions

Any person under 17 years of age (resident or nonresident) 4
Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 4
A Texas resident with an intellectual disability fishing under specified supervision conditions 4
Certain nonresident seniors (Louisiana residents 65+ with a valid Louisiana license; Oklahoma residents 65+) under reciprocal provisions 4

The full story

Texas has no phantom-license problem -- the fishing license is real and actively enforced: 'Any person who takes or attempts to take fish... in the public waters of Texas must have a current Texas fishing license with the appropriate endorsement' 2. So license.required is true in both law and practice. The nuance in Texas is not law-vs-practice; it is how severely the state limits what a spear may take.

The single fact that governs Texas spearfishing is this: 'Game fish may be taken only by pole and line' 2. Texas then classifies a broad, popular set of species as game fish -- in fresh water all the bass, the big three catfish, crappie, walleye and trout; in salt water red drum, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, cobia, the mackerels, sharks, and the offshore billfish/pelagics. Because a spear, speargun, or gig 'may be used to take nongame fish only' 1, every one of those species is legally untouchable with a spear anywhere in the state. A visiting spearo expecting to shoot redfish or speckled trout the way they might in some other Gulf states will be breaking the law.

What is left is nongame -- 'all species not listed as game fish' 6. In salt water that means flounder (Texas's famous gigging target), sheepshead, black drum, mullet, and saltwater catfish, plus snappers and groupers, which are simply absent from the game-fish list and therefore nongame (though they carry their own size/bag limits and offshore federal rules, so treat them carefully). In fresh water it means gar (including alligator gar, capped at one per day), carp, buffalo, bowfin, drum and tilapia. One easy trap: the 'nongame in salt water for bait purposes only' line that people repeat is a cast-net / dip-net / seine rule -- it is NOT in the spear entry, so nongame fish you spear in salt water are yours to keep for the table 1. Another: any edible or bait-usable fish you take (all gar, carp, buffalo) may not be thrown back 3.

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Legal

Spearfishing is legal in Texas coastal and Gulf waters, but ONLY for nongame fish. Because 'Game fish may be taken only by pole and line' 2, you may NOT spear red drum (redfish), spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, cobia, king or Spanish mackerel, sharks, marlin, sailfish, swordfish, longbill spearfish, wahoo, or tripletail -- all of these are statutory game fish (s2, s5). What a spearo CAN take are nongame species such as southern flounder, sheepshead, black drum, striped mullet, and gafftopsail/hardhead (saltwater) catfish, subject to any applicable size and bag limits. Note: the 'in salt water, nongame fish may be taken for bait purposes only' limitation applies to cast nets, dip nets, and seines -- NOT to spears/spearguns, so nongame fish speared in salt water may be kept for food 1. Snappers and groupers are not on the game-fish list and are therefore nongame by definition, but they carry specific state size/bag limits and federal rules govern them beyond Texas state waters -- confirm before targeting. Endangered/threatened species, sea turtles, sawfish, and marine mammals may not be taken by any method. (s1, s2, s5)

Freshwater

Legal

Freshwater spearing and gigging are legal but limited to NONGAME fish. TPWD's rule: 'In fresh water, it is unlawful to take fish with a hand-operated device held underwater except that a spear or spear gun may be used to take nongame fish' 1. Because game fish may be taken only by pole and line 2, you may NOT spear largemouth/smallmouth/spotted/Guadalupe/Alabama/white/yellow/striped bass, blue/channel/flathead catfish, black or white crappie, walleye, pickerel, or brown/rainbow trout (s2, s5). Nongame species you MAY spear or gig include gar (including alligator gar, subject to a 1-per-day limit and special-water rules), common carp, buffalo, bowfin, freshwater drum, and tilapia. Note: any edible fish or fish usable as bait (all gar, common carp, buffalo) taken with a spear/bow may not be released back into the water (this rule is stated for archery equipment; treat speared edible nongame the same and confirm). Spearguns are NOT legal in Community Fishing Lakes. (s1, s3)

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun: Legal for NONGAME fish only. A spear gun is 'any hand operated device designed and used for propelling a spear, but does not include the crossbow' and 'may be used to take nongame fish only'; it is NOT a legal means to take fish in a Community Fishing Lake. 1
Pole spear: Legal for NONGAME fish only. A pole spear falls under Texas's definition of a 'spear' ('any shaft with single or multiple points, barbed or barbless, which may be propelled by any means, but does not include arrows'), which 'may be used to take nongame fish only.' Pole spears are not named individually. 1
Hawaiian sling: Legal for NONGAME fish only, by general definition. A Hawaiian sling propels a spear and is treated as a spear/spear gun under Texas's device definitions, so it is limited to nongame fish. It is not named individually in the regulations. (s1 / unverified as to the specific term)
Spearfishing on SCUBA: Not specifically addressed by TPWD's device rules. Spearing (a 'hand-operated device held underwater') is inherently done submerged and is not prohibited on scuba, but no rule expressly permits or restricts scuba for spearing nongame fish -- verify current TPWD guidance and any local dive-flag/area rules before diving. (unverified)

Gear restrictions

Spears, spearguns, and gigs may take NONGAME fish only -- never game fish, anywhere in Texas (s1, s2)
Game fish may be taken only by pole and line, except as otherwise provided 2
In fresh water it is unlawful to take fish with a hand-operated device held underwater EXCEPT a spear or spear gun used for nongame fish 1
Spearguns are not a legal means to take fish in a Community Fishing Lake (public impoundment of 75 acres or less within a city or public park) (s1, s3)
Speared fish are subject to the same size and bag/possession limits that apply to that species by any gear (possession limit is twice the daily bag) 2
Edible nongame fish or fish usable as bait (all gar, common carp, buffalo) taken with lawful archery equipment may not be released back into the water; treat speared edible nongame accordingly 3

What you'll see

Target species

A field guide to the fish a spearo may actually encounter on the Texas Gulf coast and in Texas fresh water, with the nicknames locals use. This is not exhaustive, and it is not a legality ruling. Texas has the strictest spearfishing trap in the Gulf: by statute GAME FISH may be taken only by pole and line, so a spear, speargun or gig may NEVER take a game fish — that puts redfish, speckled trout, snook, tarpon, cobia and the mackerels off-limits to a spear even though you will see them constantly. What you CAN spear are nongame species (flounder, sheepshead, black drum, snapper, grouper, triggerfish, amberjack, barracuda, lionfish in salt water; gar and carp in fresh water). Always confirm the current TPWD sizes, bags and seasons — and the federal offshore rules — before taking anything.

Southern Flounder

FlounderDoormatFlatfish

Paralichthys lethostigma

Restricted — verify

bottom35-50 cm, 'doormats' to ~63 cm

Edibility & ciguatera: Excellent eating; low ciguatera risk (northern Gulf).
Where you'll see it: Sand and mud bottom near passes, jetties, channel edges and grass lines; buried and ambushed. Flounder gigging is the classic Texas nongame spearing tradition. (Gulf flounder, Paralichthys albigutta, occurs here too and looks similar.)
Legal status: Legal to spear/gig as a nongame fish: 15 in minimum, 5/day — but the fishery is CLOSED statewide Nov 1-Dec 14 (bag limit 0, no method of take legal) during the fall spawning run. Verify current dates.

Sheepshead

Convict fishSheephead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Restricted — verify

inshore0.5-3 kg, up to ~4.5 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Very good eating; low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Jetties, bridge and pier pilings, oil-platform legs, rocks and wrecks — anywhere with barnacles and oysters; a reliable nongame spearing target along the Texas coast.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish, 15 in minimum, 5/day (no maximum length). Verify current TPWD limits.

Black Drum

DrumPuppy drumBull drum

Pogonias cromis

Restricted — verify

inshoreslot 35-76 cm; adult 'bull' drum to ~1.5 m / 40+ kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Good eating in the slot (smaller fish are best; large bulls can be coarse and carry spaghetti worms). Low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Bays, channels, jetties and oyster bottom, often in schools; a nongame fish (unlike red drum, which is a protected gamefish here). Smaller 'puppy' drum are the eating fish.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish, 14-30 in slot, 5/day, plus one fish over 52 in allowed within the bag. Verify current TPWD limits.

Red Snapper

American red snapperGenuine redSow

Lutjanus campechanus

Restricted — verify

bottom1-7 kg, up to ~14 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Excellent eating; low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Oil/gas platforms, wrecks, artificial and natural reefs offshore — the headline offshore spear target off Port Aransas and Galveston (usually 60-200+ ft, deep for freedivers). A nongame fish in Texas, but tightly regulated.
Legal status: Legal to spear (nongame, not a gamefish), but heavily managed. Texas state waters (out to ~9 nm): 15 in minimum, 4/day, open year-round. Federal waters (beyond ~9 nm): 16 in minimum, 2/day, only during the annually-set federal season — confirm open dates before an offshore dive.

Lane Snapper

LaneCandy snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Restricted — verify

reef20-35 cm

Edibility & ciguatera: Very good eating; low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Reefs, hard bottom, rigs and rubble; common and approachable — a good smaller nongame snapper.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish, 8 in minimum, no daily bag limit in Texas state waters. Federal offshore rules may differ — verify.

Gray (Mangrove) Snapper

Mangrove snapperMangoBlack snapper

Lutjanus griseus

Legal to spear

reef25-40 cm inshore, larger offshore

Edibility & ciguatera: Excellent eating; low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Jetties, rigs, wrecks and deeper structure; wary and a good ambush target on the platforms.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish. No dedicated Texas state size/bag limit is separately listed, but federal reef-fish rules apply offshore — verify current TPWD and federal limits before targeting.

Gray Triggerfish

Trigger

Balistes capriscus

Restricted — verify

reef0.5-2 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Excellent — dense, sweet white meat; low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Rigs, reefs, wrecks and hard bottom offshore; a prized nongame table fish.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish, 16 in minimum, 20/day in Texas state waters. Federal offshore seasons/sizes can differ — verify.

Gag Grouper

GagGrey grouper

Mycteroperca microlepis

Restricted — verify

reef2-12 kg, up to ~23 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Excellent eating; low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Rigs, wrecks, ledges and deeper reef offshore; a strong fighter that bolts to structure — a trophy nongame spear target off the Texas coast.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish, 24 in minimum, 2/day in Texas state waters. Reef fish showing barotrauma must be handled with a venting tool or descending device. Federal offshore grouper rules apply beyond state waters — verify.

Greater Amberjack

AJReef donkey

Seriola dumerili

Restricted — verify

reef9-27 kg, up to ~45 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Good eating (watch for cosmetic flesh worms); low ciguatera risk.
Where you'll see it: Rigs and deep reefs in aggressive schools — a hard-fighting nongame spear target off Port Aransas and Galveston.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish, 1/day: 38 in minimum in Texas state waters, 34 in in federal waters. Verify the federal offshore season, which can close — confirm dates before an offshore dive.

Great Barracuda

Cuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Legal to spear

reef60-150 cmCiguatera: moderate

Edibility & ciguatera: Ciguatera caution: much lower risk in the northern Gulf than in south Florida or the tropics, but large barracuda can still carry the toxin, which cooking does not destroy — many divers do not eat big ones.
Where you'll see it: Rigs, wrecks and reefs offshore; curious and often shadows divers. A nongame fish (not on the Texas game-fish list).
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish; no Texas state size or bag limit is separately listed. Verify current TPWD rules.

Lionfish

Zebrafish

Pterois volitans

Legal to spear

reef15-45 cm

Edibility & ciguatera: Excellent, delicate white flesh. The spines are venomous but the flesh is not — handle with care.
Where you'll see it: Rigs, reefs and hard bottom offshore — an invasive species removal is encouraged. Note: taking anything, lionfish included, is PROHIBITED inside the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary except under its own permitted-removal rules — confirm before diving there.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish; no size or bag limit and removal is encouraged as an invasive. A Texas fishing license with saltwater/all-water endorsement is still required. Sanctuary and marine-protected-area rules override this — verify.

Alligator Gar

Gator garGar

Atractosteus spatula

Restricted — verify

inshore1-2 m, trophies to ~2.4 m / 90+ kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Good eating (firm white meat); the eggs are TOXIC to humans and must be discarded. Freshwater fish — no ciguatera concern.
Where you'll see it: Freshwater rivers, oxbows and reservoirs (also brackish coastal rivers); a nongame fish and a classic Texas bowfishing/spearing giant. An edible/bait-usable fish that, once taken, may not be released back into the water.
Legal status: Legal to spear/gig/bow as a nongame fish, but capped at 1/day statewide. Most alligator gar taken must be reported to TPWD within 24 hours (mobile app/online; Falcon Reservoir exempt), and harvest is prohibited during the May spawning season on the Texas portion of Lake Texoma. Not legal in Community Fishing Lakes with a speargun. Verify current rules.

Common Carp

Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Legal to spear

inshore1-9 kg, up to ~18 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Edible but bony and rarely eaten in Texas; mostly taken as a nongame/rough fish. Freshwater — no ciguatera concern.
Where you'll see it: Freshwater lakes, rivers and canals, often in shallow weedy flats; an abundant nongame target for pole-spear, speargun and bow. An edible/bait-usable fish that, once taken, may not be released back into the water.
Legal status: Legal to spear as a nongame fish, no minimum length and no daily bag limit. Spearguns are NOT legal in Community Fishing Lakes (75 acres or less within a city/park), where pole-and-line is the only lawful method. Verify current rules.

Red Drum (Redfish)

RedfishBull redRat red

Sciaenops ocellatus

Protected — do not take

inshoreslot 51-71 cm; bull reds to ~1.5 m

Edibility & ciguatera: Prized on hook-and-line in Texas, but do NOT spear.
Where you'll see it: Flats, oyster reefs, jetties, passes and surf; THE iconic Texas inshore gamefish — you will see them constantly but cannot spear them.
Legal status: PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. Red drum is a Texas game fish, and game fish may be taken ONLY by pole and line. Illegal to take with a spear, speargun or gig by any diver, anywhere in Texas.

Spotted Seatrout

Speckled troutSpecksGator trout

Cynoscion nebulosus

Protected — do not take

inshore30-63 cm

Edibility & ciguatera: Popular on hook-and-line in Texas, but do NOT spear.
Where you'll see it: Grass flats, channels and the surf; one of the two most-targeted Texas inshore gamefish you cannot spear.
Legal status: PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. Spotted seatrout is a Texas game fish (pole-and-line only). Illegal to take by spear, speargun or gig.

Common Snook

SnookLinesider

Centropomus undecimalis

Protected — do not take

inshore40-90 cm

Edibility & ciguatera: A prized hook-and-line gamefish, but do NOT spear.
Where you'll see it: Passes, jetties and mangrove/river mouths, mainly in the Lower Laguna Madre and far south Texas (the northern edge of its range). Uncommon but present — and you cannot spear it.
Legal status: PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. Snook is a Texas game fish with a restrictive slot and low bag on hook-and-line only. Illegal to take by spear, speargun or gig.

Tarpon

Silver king

Megalops atlanticus

Protected — do not take

inshoreup to ~2.4 m

Edibility & ciguatera: Not eaten; a catch-and-release gamefish.
Where you'll see it: Passes, beachfront and bays, large and unmistakable; a Texas gamefish you cannot spear.
Legal status: PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. Tarpon is a Texas game fish (pole-and-line only; effectively catch-and-release, a tag is required to retain one). Illegal to take by spear, speargun or gig.

Cobia

LingLemonfish

Rachycentron canadum

Protected — do not take

pelagic9-27 kg, up to ~45 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Excellent eating on hook-and-line, but do NOT spear it in Texas.
Where you'll see it: Rigs, buoys, wrecks and near the surface following rays and turtles — a fish spearos legally take in other Gulf states, but in TEXAS it is a game fish and off-limits to a spear. A common and costly trap for visiting divers.
Legal status: PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. Cobia is a Texas game fish (pole-and-line only) even though it is a legal spear target elsewhere in the Gulf. Illegal to take by spear, speargun or gig in Texas.

King Mackerel

KingfishKingSmoker

Scomberomorus cavalla

Protected — do not take

pelagic2-14 kg, up to ~23 kg

Edibility & ciguatera: Eaten on hook-and-line, but do NOT spear it in Texas.
Where you'll see it: Rigs, reefs and open water in the mid-column offshore; fast and abundant, and another Gulf spear target that is off-limits in Texas. (Spanish mackerel is likewise a Texas game fish and cannot be speared.)
Legal status: PROHIBITED TO SPEAR. King mackerel (and Spanish mackerel) are Texas game fish, pole-and-line only. Illegal to take by spear, speargun or gig.

Local names & details still being verified

THE defining Texas rule: game fish may be taken only by pole and line, so a spear/speargun/gig may NEVER take a game fish. Redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, sharks and the offshore billfish are all legal on hook-and-line but ILLEGAL to spear. Confirm the full current TPWD game-fish list before targeting anything.
Offshore federal rules: snapper, grouper, triggerfish and amberjack are nongame and spearable, but beyond ~9 nautical miles the federal NOAA / Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council seasons, sizes and bag limits govern and can close — verify federal dates before an offshore/rig dive, not just the Texas state numbers.
Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is the primary Texas gigging/spearing target; Gulf flounder (P. albigutta) also occurs and looks similar. Texas flounder limits apply to 'all species, their hybrids and subspecies,' so both are treated the same — but confirm ID and the Nov 1-Dec 14 closure dates each year.
Gray/mangrove snapper and great barracuda are nongame (spearable) but have no separately-listed Texas state size/bag limit that we could confirm; verify current TPWD limits and any federal offshore rules before targeting.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (offshore) prohibits spearfishing/take except under its own lionfish-removal provisions; other reefs and reserves may have their own rules. Confirm the specific site before diving.
Vermilion snapper (b-liner, 10 in min, no state bag) and nongame species such as striped mullet, smallmouth/bigmouth buffalo, bowfin, freshwater drum and tilapia are also legally spearable nongame fish we did not give full cards; the same 'game fish = pole and line only' rule and license requirement apply.

A guide, not a ruling

Species identification and local names are provided as a guide, not a substitute for local knowledge or the law. Texas is the strictest Gulf state for spearos: game fish (redfish, speckled trout, snook, tarpon, cobia, the mackerels and more) may be taken ONLY by pole and line and can NEVER be speared — a spear, speargun or gig is for nongame fish only. A Texas fishing license with the appropriate Saltwater, Freshwater or All-Water endorsement is genuinely required and enforced. Confirm current TPWD sizes, bags and seasons — and the federal offshore rules beyond state waters — before taking any fish.

Do not spear

Prohibited species

ALL GAME FISH may NOT be speared (game fish may be taken only by pole and line). Freshwater game fish: largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Guadalupe, Alabama, white, yellow, and striped bass; blue, channel, and flathead catfish; black and white crappie; walleye; pickerel; brown and rainbow trout (s2, s5)
Saltwater game fish that may NOT be speared: red drum (redfish), spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, longbill spearfish, broadbill swordfish, wahoo, tripletail, and all sharks (s2, s5)
Endangered/threatened species may not be taken by any method: paddlefish, shovelnose sturgeon, sawfish 'and others' 2
Sea turtles may not be taken, killed, or disturbed; nor may diamondback terrapin or marine mammals such as porpoises, dolphins, or whales 2

Where you can't

Area restrictions

Community Fishing Lakes (public impoundments of 75 acres or less located within a city or public park): spearguns are not a legal means to take fish (s1, s3)
Lakes lying totally within the boundaries of a Texas state park, or anywhere on state park property: bowfishing/archery is prohibited (a comparable restriction may apply to spearing -- confirm the specific park's rules) 3
Alligator gar: statewide 1-per-day limit; harvest prohibited during the May spawning season on the Texas portion of Lake Texoma; other special-water rules and a harvest-reporting requirement may apply on certain waters 3
Texas state (marine) waters extend seaward roughly 9 nautical miles into the Gulf; beyond that, federal rules (NOAA / Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council) govern species such as reef fish -- confirm federal seasons and permits for offshore diving (unverified as to exact federal spearing provisions)
No statewide fixed distance-from-swimmers or distance-from-pier spearing setback was located in the TPWD regulations; local ordinances or specific waterbody rules may apply (unverified)

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

Texas's defining rule: game fish may be taken ONLY by pole and line, so a spear/speargun/gig may never lawfully take a game fish -- redfish, speckled trout, snook, tarpon and cobia are all off-limits to a spear here (s1, s2)
Flounder gigging is the classic Texas nongame exception: southern flounder is not a game fish, so it may be gigged or speared (subject to size/bag limits) (s1, s5)
Spearguns are banned specifically in Community Fishing Lakes 1
The saltwater 'bait purposes only' restriction is a cast-net/dip-net/seine rule -- it does NOT apply to spears, so nongame fish you spear in salt water may be kept for food 1
Any edible or bait-usable fish (all gar, common carp, buffalo) taken with a spear or bow may not be released back into the water (stated for archery; apply to speared edible nongame) 3
Snappers and groupers are absent from the game-fish list, so they are nongame by definition and technically speakable -- but they carry specific TX size/bag limits and federal rules apply offshore; confirm before targeting (s2, s5 / unverified in practice)

What divers here typically use

Gear up for Texas spearfishing

Most divers working Texas's coast start with a band speargun sized to the water and the fish they are after. Our honest guide to the Best Speargun for Beginners walks through what to look for — curated from published specs and community consensus, not paid placement.

If you break them

Penalties

Spearing a game fish, spearing without the required Texas fishing license/endorsement, using a speargun in a Community Fishing Lake, or taking a protected/endangered species violates the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code and TPWD regulations and is enforceable by citation. Most fishing-device and license violations are Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanors (typically Class C, roughly $25-$500, with higher classes and civil restitution for protected-species or aggravated violations). Exact fine amounts and offense classes were not itemized on the sources reviewed. (s1, s2 / unverified amounts)

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

Whether 'pole spear' and 'Hawaiian sling' are named individually -- Texas uses the general terms 'spear' and 'spear gun', which these devices fall under, but they are not enumerated by name.
Whether scuba is permitted for spearing nongame fish -- TPWD device rules neither expressly permit nor prohibit scuba for spearing; confirm current guidance.
Whether snappers and groupers (absent from the game-fish list, hence technically nongame) are practically speared in Texas and their exact state size/bag limits, plus applicable federal (Gulf Council/NOAA) offshore rules.
Any statewide fixed distance-from-swimmers or distance-from-pier spearing setback -- none was located in the TPWD regulations; local ordinances may impose one.
The widely-cited 'no fishing license needed to fish within a Texas state park' exemption -- commonly stated but not confirmed verbatim on the sources reviewed; verify with TPWD.
Exact penalty/fine dollar amounts and Parks and Wildlife Code offense classes for spearing a game fish, unlicensed spearing, or protected-species violations.
Precise seaward extent of Texas state marine waters (commonly ~9 nautical miles in the Gulf) and the exact federal spearing provisions that apply beyond it.
Exact administrative/convenience fee amount for online or phone license purchases -- a fee applies but the specific dollar figure was not itemized on the TPWD packages page reviewed.

Confirm these points directly with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) 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.

Source 1: TPWD Outdoor Annual -- Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions (definitions of spear, spear gun, gig; 'nongame fish only'; freshwater hand-operated-underwater rule; Community Fishing Lake speargun ban; cast/dip/seine 'bait purposes only' salt-water language)
Retrieved July 5, 2026https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/general-rules-regulations/legal-devices-for-fish
Source 2: TPWD Outdoor Annual -- General Fishing Regulations ('Game fish may be taken only by pole and line'; license requirement; protected/endangered species and sea turtles)
Retrieved July 5, 2026https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/general-rules-regulations/general-fishing-regulations
Source 3: TPWD Outdoor Annual -- Bow Fishing Regulations (nongame-only archery, license required, no-release of edible/bait fish, Community Fishing Lake and state-park prohibitions, alligator gar 1/day and Lake Texoma May closure)
Retrieved July 5, 2026https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/general-rules-regulations/bow-fishing-regulations
Source 4: TPWD Outdoor Annual -- Fishing Licenses and Packages (resident/nonresident Freshwater/Saltwater/All-Water package costs, senior and one-day prices, license exemptions)
Retrieved July 5, 2026https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/fishing-licenses-stamps-tags-packages/fishing-licenses-and-packages
Source 5: Texas Outdoor Annual (eRegulations, TPWD's official contracted Outdoor Annual publisher) -- General Fishing Regulations, full enumerated GAME FISH species list
Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.eregulations.com/texas/fishing/general-fishing-regulations
Source 6: TPWD Outdoor Annual -- Definitions (nongame fish = 'all species not listed as game fish except endangered and threatened fish')
Retrieved July 5, 2026https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/general-rules-regulations/definitions

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in Texas?: Yes — spearfishing is legal in Texas's saltwater, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Spearfishing is legal in Texas coastal and Gulf waters, but ONLY for nongame fish. Because 'Game fish may be taken only by pole and line', you may NOT spear red drum (redfish),…
Do you need a license to spearfish in Texas?: Yes. Texas requires the Texas Fishing License with the appropriate water endorsement -- Freshwater Package, Saltwater Package, or All-Water Package (a Saltwater endorsement is needed to spear in coastal/tidal waters; an All-Water package covers both). Resident cost: Freshwater Package $30; Saltwater Package $35; All-Water Package $40; Senior (65+) packages $12/$17/$22; One-Day All-Water License $11. (An administrative/convenience fee typically applies to online and phone purchases; the exact amount was not itemized on the TPWD packages page reviewed.) Non-resident cost: Freshwater Package $58; Saltwater Package $63; All-Water Package $68; One-Day All-Water License $16.
Can you spearfish on scuba in Texas?: Not specifically addressed by TPWD's device rules. Spearing (a 'hand-operated device held underwater') is inherently done submerged and is not prohibited on scuba, but no rule expressly permits or restricts scuba for spearing nongame fish -- verify current TPWD guidance and any…
What can't you spear in Texas?: Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Texas include: ALL GAME FISH may NOT be speared, Saltwater game fish that may NOT be speared: red drum, Endangered/threatened species may not be taken by any method: paddlefish, shovelnose sturgeon, sawfish 'and others', Sea turtles may not be taken, killed, or disturbed; nor may diamondback terrapin or marine mammals such as porpoises, dolphins, or whales. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Stay current

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

Last verified July 5, 2026. Regulations change — always confirm the current rules with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) before you dive.

← All regulations

Spearfishing Regulations in Texas

What you need to be legal

The full story

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Freshwater

What you can carry

Target species

Southern Flounder

Sheepshead

Black Drum

Red Snapper

Lane Snapper

Gray (Mangrove) Snapper

Gray Triggerfish

Gag Grouper

Greater Amberjack

Great Barracuda

Lionfish

Alligator Gar

Common Carp

Red Drum (Redfish)

Spotted Seatrout

Common Snook

Tarpon

Cobia

King Mackerel

Prohibited species

Area restrictions

Notable rules, seasons & limits

Gear up for Texas spearfishing

Penalties

Sources

Frequently asked questions

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