Washington Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater LegalFreshwater Permitted

Spearfishing is legal in Washington's saltwater. State rule expressly allows taking food fish for personal use in saltwater with underwater spearfishing gear commonly used in skin diving, with salmon and sturgeon excluded.

License

Required: WDFW Saltwater, Freshwater, or Combination Fishing License (with Catch Record Card where required)

Resident: Saltwater $40.71; Freshwater $39.95; Combination $74.37 (resident, ages 16-69, effective Jan 1, 2026). Halibut Catch Record Card $5.50 if targeting halibut.

Non-resident: Saltwater $81.70; Freshwater $115.85; Combination $170.00.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Allowed in saltwater for food fish other than salmon and sturgeon.
• Pole spears: Allowed in saltwater under the same rule permitting underwater spearfishing gear commonly used in skin diving.
• On scuba: Washington does not prohibit SCUBA for spearfishing; the rule requires the diver to be swimming or floating in the water and does not bar.
• Diver must be swimming or floating in the water while spearfishing, no spearing from boat, dock, or shore
• Explosive- or bullet-tipped spears ('bang sticks') are prohibited
• Salmon and sturgeon may not be taken by spear anywhere in the state

Do not spear

• Salmon, may not be taken by spear or spearfishing gear
• Sturgeon, may not be taken by spear or spearfishing gear
• Rockfish in Marine Areas 6-13, unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess
• Yelloweye rockfish, unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess in all marine areas in 2026
• Freshwater game fish

Area restrictions

• Rockfish conservation closure across Puget Sound Marine Areas 6-13
• Marine protected areas, conservation areas, and marine reserves are closed to spearfishing/harvest, check each area's specific rules before diving
• Freshwater is closed to spearing by default; only waters opened by a Special Rule permit it

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW): https://wdfw.wa.gov