Georgia Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater LegalFreshwater Permitted

Georgia has an Atlantic coast, so spearfishing exists in both salt and fresh water but the rules are very different.

License

Required: Georgia resident or nonresident fishing license (Sport Fishing License), plus a free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit for salt water

Resident: Resident annual fishing license: $15 (valid 365 days from purchase). The Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit is free.

Non-resident: Nonresident annual fishing license: $50. Nonresident short-term options include a 1-day license around $10 with additional consecutive days about $3.50 each. The SIP permit is free for residents and nonresidents alike.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Lawful. The statute defines 'spearing' to include 'a weapon other than a firearm which propels or forces a projectile' with a recovery line.
• Pole spears: Lawful. A hand-held spear or similar instrument held in the hand of the user falls squarely within the statutory definition of 'spearing.'.
• On scuba: Not expressly addressed for spearing. Georgia's freshwater spearing statute REQUIRES the spearer to be 'completely submerged,' so diving.
• In fresh water, all spears must have barbs or other devices to recover the fish and must be attached to a line/rope/cord secured to.
• It is unlawful to use spears with poisonous or exploding heads
• It is unlawful to discharge spears in waters nearer than 150 feet to anyone engaged in any other means of recreation
• In fresh water the spearer must be completely submerged while spearing nongame fish

Do not spear

• FRESH WATER: all game fish may NOT be speared
• FRESH WATER: all species of catfish may NOT be speared, EXCEPT channel catfish and flathead catfish in the Savannah River basin
• SALT WATER: sharks may NOT be speared, recreational shark harvest is limited to hook-and-line gear only

Area restrictions

• No discharging a spear in waters nearer than 150 feet to anyone engaged in any other means of recreation (statewide, fresh water)
• Flint River and its tributaries from the Georgia Power Co.
• Chattahoochee River and its tributaries from the Columbia Lock and Dam to the GA Hwy 91 bridge, CLOSED to striped bass fishing and spearfishing May.
• Spring Creek and its tributaries downstream to GA Hwy 253, CLOSED to striped bass fishing and spearfishing May 1–October 31

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) — Wildlife Resources Division (fresh water) and Coastal Resources Division (salt water): https://georgiawildlife.com/fishing