Montana Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater RestrictedFreshwater Permitted

Montana is a landlocked state, so there is no saltwater spearfishing - but it is a genuine freshwater spearfishing state, not just a gigging state.

License

Required: Montana Fishing License (plus the Conservation License and Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass that every angler must carry)

Resident: About $31 total for a resident adult (age 18-61) full season: Conservation License $8 + Angler AIS Prevention Pass $2 + season Fishing License $21. Resident youth (age 12-17) and seniors (62+) pay reduced fishing-license rates.

Non-resident: About $117.50 total for a nonresident adult full season: Conservation License $10 + Angler AIS Prevention Pass $7.50 + season Fishing License $100.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Band/rubber-powered spearguns are covered by the 'rubber-propelled' spear category and are allowed for the swimming/submerged method.
• Pole spears: A rubber-powered pole spear (Hawaiian-style) fits the 'rubber-propelled spear' category and is appropriate for the swimming/submerged.
• On scuba: Montana's rules expressly allow taking fish by spear by 'persons swimming or submerged,' which plainly covers snorkeling/freediving.
• A spear counts as a 'line' for line-limit purposes - it may be combined with attended lines/setlines but the total may not exceed.
• For the swimming/submerged method the spear must be rubber- or spring/pneumatic-propelled (not hand-thrown); the exact wording differs by.
• There is no size limit for a hole used for spearing through the ice (ordinary ice-fishing holes are limited to 144 square inches or 12.
• Crossbows are unlawful for taking fish in Montana

Do not spear

• Game fish may NOT be speared except where a district/water specifically designates them
• In the WESTERN Fishing District, spearing of game and nongame fish is closed statewide EXCEPT for northern pike
• Trout and char
• Sturgeon
• Paddlefish may not be speared
• Bass, sunfish, crappie and yellow perch are game fish and are not open to spearing unless a specific designated water lists them

Area restrictions

• Western Fishing District: all waters closed to spearing of game and nongame fish EXCEPT northern pike, which is open in all waters open to fishing.
• Central Fishing District: game fish may be speared by swimming/submerged persons only in designated waters; through-the-ice spearing only for.
• Eastern Fishing District: broadest access, but water-specific exceptions apply - e.g.
• Setlines are not allowed in the Western Fishing District (a general district method restriction, not spear-specific)

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Montana FWP): https://fwp.mt.gov/