Maine Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater LegalFreshwater Not permitted

Maine is a coastal state and recreational spearfishing IS legal in its marine (saltwater) waters for a defined list of finfish (winter/summer flounder, cunner, tautog, haddock, Atlantic cod, pollock, bluefish, Atlantic menhaden), while several species (notably striped bass, black sea bass, halibut.

License

Required: Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (marine waters) or Maine Inland Fishing License (fresh waters)

Resident: Saltwater Registry: $1 online via DMR LEEDS (or $2 through an IFW license agent), uniform for residents and nonresidents. Resident inland season fishing license: $30.

Non-resident: Saltwater Registry: $1 online via DMR LEEDS (or $2 through an IFW license agent), uniform for residents and nonresidents. Nonresident inland season fishing license: $83.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Permitted in marine/saltwater waters for the allowed species.
• Pole spears: Hand spears/pole spears are permitted in marine waters for the allowed species.
• On scuba: Maine DMR and IFW regulations reviewed do not address using SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) while spearfishing; no.
• Inland: if archery equipment is used to take suckers, the arrow or bolt must have a barbed or pronged point and be attached to the bow.
• Inland spear/spear-gun use is unlawful except for the April 1-June 30 sucker season (Title 12 s12656)

Do not spear

• Striped bass
• Black sea bass
• Atlantic halibut
• Atlantic sturgeon
• Shortnose sturgeon
• Atlantic salmon
• American shad
• American lobster
• All inland game fish

Area restrictions

• No spearfishing-specific distance-from-swimmers, pier, or beach setback rule was found in DMR or IFW primary sources (see unverified).
• Inland spearing (suckers) is limited to rivers, streams and brooks that are open to fishing, during April 1-June 30 (Title 12 s12506).
• Species-specific closed areas and seasons set by DMR (marine) and IFW (inland) apply and change; verify current rules before diving.

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Maine Department of Marine Resources (saltwater); Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (freshwater): https://www.maine.gov/dmr/