Michigan Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater RestrictedFreshwater Permitted

Michigan is a Great Lakes (freshwater) state with no ocean coast, so all spearfishing is freshwater under Michigan DNR rules.

License

Required: Michigan Fishing License (all-species) + free Underwater Spearfishing License (for underwater spearing of Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)

Resident: Resident Annual (all species) $26 (includes a $1 surcharge); Senior Annual (residents 65+ or legally blind) $11; Daily Fish $10/day; Voluntary Youth (16 and under) $2. Underwater Spearfishing License: Free (a $1 DNR Sportcard may be needed as ID). Fees for the license year Apr 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2027.

Non-resident: Nonresident Annual (all species) $76 (includes a $1 surcharge); Daily Fish $10/day. Underwater Spearfishing License: Free for residents and nonresidents alike (a DNR Sportcard may be needed).

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Rubber-propelled and spring-propelled spears (spearguns/pole-spears of that type) are legal, but ONLY while the user is submerged and.
• Pole spears: A hand-propelled spear is expressly allowed.
• On scuba: No. Use of artificial breathing devices such as SCUBA, re-breathers or similar devices is expressly PROHIBITED while underwater.
• Spearing gear is limited to hand-propelled, rubber-propelled and spring-propelled spears; bow-and-arrow and crossbow are also allowed
• Rubber-propelled and spring-propelled spears may be used only while submerged and only with the spear attached to a control line not.
• SCUBA, re-breathers and similar artificial breathing devices are banned while underwater spearfishing
• Bait, attractants and decoys are prohibited while underwater spearfishing

Do not spear

• Largemouth, smallmouth and other black bass
• Panfish such as bluegill, sunfish, crappie and rock bass
• Yellow Perch
• Walleye
• Lake Trout
• Brook, brown, rainbow/steelhead trout and Pacific salmon
• Muskellunge
• Northern Pike
• Lake Sturgeon and other protected/threatened species

Area restrictions

• Designated Trout Lakes (Type A/D) and Designated Trout Streams are closed to spearing year-round, except the named designated trout streams that open.
• Underwater spearing prohibited within 150 feet of designated swimming areas, boat docks, boat access/egress sites and power intake tubes
• Ports of Muskegon, Whitehall/Montague and Grand Haven: possession and use of spears, bow-and-arrow or crossbow is unlawful (hook-and-line only) Nov 1.
• Cheboygan County - Black River, Cheboygan River and Indian River: no taking fish with spearing gear or gaff hook Apr 1 - June 15

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing