Bow & Spear Fishing Regulations
The seasons, gear, waters and species where a spear, bow and arrow, or crossbow may be used as indicated in the table below and lists that follow (except as otherwise prohibited). Spearing gear shall be limited to: hand-propelled spear, rubber-propelled spear, and spring-propelled spear. In addition, bow and arrow, and crossbow may be used. Artificial lights may be used. It shall be unlawful to use a rubber-propelled spear or a spring-propelled spear without being submerged and the spear must be attached to a line not exceeding twenty feet in length. It is unlawful to spear any fish in a waterbody closed to fishing, except as noted in the spearing exceptions list. Unless noted otherwise, all general regulations apply for the species listed. Anglers should contact local enforcement offices for information concerning local weapons ordinances banning the use of bow and arrow or crossbow in some locations. Fishing in any manner other than hook-and-line is prohibited in National Parks.
Bow & Spear Fishing Regulations (for species as indicated below)
| Season | Gear | Waters - NOTE 1) | Species - (NOTE 2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open All Year | Spear or bow and arrow or crossbow (as listed above) | ALL WATERS except: Designated Trout Lakes and Streams and Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters. Also see Spearing Exceptions List below. | Bowfin, Bullheads, Burbot, Carp, Catfish, Cisco, Drum, Gizzard Shad, Goldfish, GrassCarp, Longnose Gar, Smelt, Suckers, Whitefish | |
In addition to year-round opportunities listed above, the following spearfishing provisions allow for the possession of additional species listed below: | ||||
Dec. 1 - March15 (through the ice) | Hand -propelled spear (only) | ALL WATERS except: Designated Trout Lakes and Streams and Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters. Also see Spearing Exceptions List below. | Northern Pike and Muskellunge (see NOTE 4) | |
Species and location specific (see NOTE 3) for Northern Pike season exception) | Underwater spear (see NOTE 4) | Lake Michigan: waters south of the southernmost pier at Grand Haven Lake Huron: waters south of the southernmost pier of the Thunder Bay River, extending south to themouth of the St. Clair River(Fort Gratiot Light) | Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye | |
NOTE 1
All Type A and D lakes are Designated Trout Waters. All Type 1 and 2 streams, Gear Restricted Streams, Brook Trout Restoration Areas, and nearly all Type 3 and 4 streams are Designated Trout Waters.
NOTE 2
The term suckers refers to: suckers (longnose, white, northern hog, spotted), redhorse (silver, golden, black, greater, shorthead), buffalo (bigmouth, black), Lake Chubsucker and Quillback Carpsucker.
NOTE 3
When using an underwater spear the possession season for Northern Pike shall be July 1 - March 15.
NOTE 4
For underwater spearfishing Lake Trout, Northern Pike, and Walleye the following regulations apply:
- All recreational anglers who intend to engage in underwater spearfishing shall request and be issued a free annual underwater spearfishing license.
- All underwater spearfishing anglers shall provide monthly effort and harvest reports to the Department using an online reporting tool provided by the Department. • To use an underwater spear in compliance with the table within this order, the angler/diver shall be fully submerged beneath the waters surface when attempting to harvest fish.
- The species and location specific size limits for Lake Trout, Northern Pike, and Walleye shall apply.
- Underwater spearfishing shall be prohibited daily from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
- This activity shall be prohibited within 150 feet of designated swimming areas, boat docks, boat access or egress sites and power intake tubes.
- This activity shall be prohibited where placement of a diver-down flag would restrict boater navigation or access to a boating access site.
- All spearguns shall have the bands unloaded from the spear and the safety on when divers are moving between fishing areas and when entering and exiting the water.
- Use of artificial breathing devices such as scuba, re-breather or similar devices shall be prohibited while underwater spearfishing.
Spearing Exceptions List
Waters Closed to Possession and Use of Spearing Gear
It shall be unlawful to fish by any means other than hook-and-line or to possess bow and spearing gear in the following waters from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: Muskegon: at the port of Muskegon from the westernmost pier head extending into Lake Michigan (excluding break walls) to the easternmost pier head extending into Muskegon Lake and at the port of Whitehall/Montague from the westernmost pier head extending into Lake Michigan to the easternmost pier head extending into White Lake. Ottawa: the port of Grand Haven from the westernmost pier head extending into Lake Michigan to the US-31 bridge (northbound Beacon Blvd).
Waters Closed to Northern Pike and Muskellunge Spearing
It shall be unlawful to fish by any means other than hook-and-line for Northern Pike or Muskellunge in the following waters: Alger: Kingston L.; Alpena & Montmorency: Fletcher Floodwaters; Barry: Lower Crooked L., Thornapple L. (from McKeown Rd. to Barger Rd.); Clare: Budd L.; Clinton: L. Ovid; Delta: Dana L.; Dickinson: East, Island, South, and West Lks (all within Groveland Mines); Iron: Brule and Chicagon Lks., L. Emily, Paint L., Paint (Brule Isle Imp.) Pond, Stanley and Swan Lks.; Kent: Campau and Murray Lks.; Keweenaw: L. Gratiot; Lenawee: L. Hudson; Schoolcraft: Grassy and McKeever Lks.; St. Joseph: Long L. (Fabius Twp. T6S, R12W, S7); Van Buren: Bankson and Round Lks. (Keeler Twp. T4S, R16W, S31).
Waters Closed To Muskellunge Spearing
It shall be unlawful to fish for Muskellunge by any means other than hook and line in the following waters: L. Erie, L. St. Clair, Detroit R., and St. Clair R.
Waters with Spearing and Gaff Hook Restrictions
It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take any species of fish with spearing gear or gaff hook from April 1 – June 15 from the following waters of Cheboygan: Black R., Cheboygan R., and Indian R.
Lake St. Clair Yellow Perch Spearing
Macomb, St. Clair & Wayne: A hand-propelled spear or bow and arrow or crossbow may be used to harvest Yellow Perch from Dec. 1 - March 15.
Designated Trout Streams Open To Spring Spearing
The following designated trout streams listed by county are open to the use of spearing gear from April 1 - May 31, for taking Bowfin, Bullheads, Burbot, Common Carp, Catfish, Cisco, Drum, Longnose Gar, Gizzard Shad, Goldfish, Grass Carp, Smelt, **suckersx and Lake Whitefish: Alcona: Bryant Cr. from Vaughn L. downstream to Little L.; Buff Cr.; Sucker Cr. from confluence of Vincent Cr. (T27N, R8E, S9) downstream to Hubbard L. (T28N, R7E, S36); Calhoun: Nottawa Cr. from Calhoun Co. line (T4S, R8W, S31) upstream to T3S, R5W, S35; Rice Cr. South Branch Rice Cr. from confluence of Rice Cr. and Kalamazoo R. (T2S, R6W, S25) upstream to Concord Rd. (Jackson Co.); Chippewa: Trout Cr. downstream of Big Trout L. (T42N, R3E, S31); Prentiss Cr. (T42N, R2E,); Delta: Squaw Cr. downstream of Co. Rd 513; Mackinac: Doe Cr. (T43N, R10W); Foley Cr. downstream of I-75; Hoban Cr. downstream of State St.; Hudson Cr. (T41N, R11W, S8); Martineau Cr. downstream of I-75; McClouds Cr.; Milakokia R. from Milakokia L. downstream to Heinz L.; Norton Cr. from M-135 downstream to South Manistique L.; Nunn’s Cr. downstream of Highway M -134; Pearson’s Cr. T42N, R1W and R1E; Rabbits Back Cr. downstream of Mackinac Trail; Scrams Cr. (T42N, R11W, S11); Taylor Cr. (T43N, R12W, S2, 11, 12 and 13); Mason: Sable R. from Freesoil Rd. downstream to Custer Rd. (T20N, R16W, S22); Van Buren: Dowagiac R. and tributaries upstream of 50th Street (T4S, R15W, S35); Lake of the Woods Outlet to confluence with Dowagiac R. (T45N, R15W, S34).
