Arizona Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater RestrictedFreshwater Permitted

Arizona is landlocked, so there is no saltwater spearfishing.

License

Required: Arizona General Fishing License (or a Combination Hunt & Fish / short-term equivalent)

Resident: $37.00 annual General Fishing License. Youth Combination Hunt & Fish (ages 10-17) is $5.00; short-term Combination Hunt & Fish is $15.00/day.

Non-resident: $55.00 annual General Fishing License. Youth Combination Hunt & Fish (ages 10-17) is $5.00; short-term Combination Hunt & Fish is $20.00/day.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Legal for the authorized species. A spear gun is expressly named as a lawful method for common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia.
• Pole spears: A hand-propelled 'spear' is a lawful method for the same authorized nongame species and for striped bass in designated waters.
• On scuba: The fishing regulations do not address the use of SCUBA or other underwater breathing apparatus for spearing; there is no explicit.
• No listed method (spear, spear gun, gig, bow/crossbow, snare, snagging) may be used within 200 yards of a designated swimming area.
• These methods apply only to the specifically authorized species; using a spear on any other (game) fish is not a lawful method of take.
• Spear and snagging seasons/waters may be further restricted at times and locations designated by Commission Order.

Do not spear

• Game fish not expressly authorized for spearing may not be taken by spear or spear gun, including trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, and sunfish
• Catfish may not be taken by spear or spear gun
• Any species in a water not covered by an authorizing Commission Order, if spearing is not explicitly permitted for that species and water, it is prohibited

Area restrictions

• No listed method, spear, spear gun, gig, bow/crossbow, snare, or snagging, within 200 yards of a designated swimming area (this buffer includes.
• Except for snagging, no spear, spear gun, gig, bow/crossbow, or snare within 200 yards of a boat dock or fishing pier (snagging is excepted from.
• Striped bass spearing is limited to Commission-Order-designated waters: Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave (between Hoover Dam and Cottonwood.
• Additional closures and Special Regulations (Commission Order 40) can restrict methods on specific waters; check the current special-regulations.

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD): https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/