Wyoming Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater RestrictedFreshwater Permitted

Wyoming is a landlocked state with no marine waters, so there is no saltwater spearfishing.

License

Required: Wyoming Fishing License (+ Conservation Stamp for annual licenses)

Resident: Annual fishing license $27.00; daily fishing license $6.00; youth (annual) $3.00; Conservation Stamp $21.50 (required with annual licenses, not with daily licenses). Seining license $21.00.

Non-resident: Annual fishing license $102.00; daily fishing license $14.00; youth (annual) $15.00; Conservation Stamp $21.50 (required with annual licenses, not with daily licenses). Seining license $21.00.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Allowed for underwater spear gun fishing in lakes only (Chapter 46 § 10, s1).
• Pole spears: Not specifically addressed. Chapter 46 § 10 authorizes only 'underwater spear gun fishing.' A hand-thrown or hand-propelled pole spear is.
• On scuba: Not prohibited. Section 10(a) contemplates taking game fish 'under water,' and § 10(b)(ii) requires a diver flag 'when diving or underwater.
• Spears on spear guns must be tethered to the gun with a shooting line of maximum length twenty (20) feet (§ 10(d), s1).
• To take game fish, the spearfisher must take them under water and hold a fishing license (§ 10(a), s1).
• A diver flag must be displayed on the water while diving or underwater spear gun fishing, rectangular, either blue-and-white or red with.
• Artificial light may NOT be used to take game fish with a spear gun; only NONGAME fish may be taken with a spear gun using artificial light.

Do not spear

• No fish species is entirely off-limits to spearing statewide, Wyoming allows game fish to be speared in lakes
• In specific waters, species designated nongame must be killed immediately and may not be released, e.g., in Buffalo Bill Reservoir, burbot

Area restrictions

• LAKES ONLY: underwater spear gun fishing is not permitted in rivers or streams, only in lakes, reservoirs, ponds (not beaver ponds) and gravel/mining.
• No spear gun fishing within one hundred (100) yards of any designated swimming or water-ski area, boat dock, ramp or spillway (§ 10(b)(i), s1).
• Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Jr.
• Waters restricted to 'artificial flies and lures only' (numerous stream/lake segments statewide, including within Grand Teton NP and the Rockefeller.

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) / Wyoming Game and Fish Commission: https://wgfd.wyo.gov