Illinois Spearfishing Regulations: 2026 Legal Guide
A practical guide to Illinois underwater spearfishing licenses, legal fish, open waters, scuba and freediving rules, diver-down flags, catfish restrictions and harvest limits.
Last reviewed July 20, 2026 · Based on the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information guide and current administrative rules
Five rules to know before you enter the water
Illinois authorizes underwater spear guns, hand spears and gigs under its archery-and-spear fishing rules. The legal-species list is broad, but the waters where those methods may be used are specifically controlled.
Carry a sport fishing license
A valid Illinois sport fishing license is required to take aquatic life by underwater spear gun, spear or gig unless a statutory license exemption applies.
No statewide freedive-only rule
Illinois does not impose a statewide freedive-only rule in its spear-fishing section. Scuba, skin-diving and underwater-spearfishing activities remain subject to boating and site rules.
Target listed species only
Only fish specifically listed in Illinois Administrative Code Section 810.15 may be taken by spear methods. Game fish such as walleye, bass, pike, trout and salmon are not included.
Confirm the exact water
Legal methods are limited to authorized site-specific waters, public-river reaches and named additional waters. Pole-and-line-only sites are not open to spearing.
Display a diver-down flag
Stay within 150 feet of the flag and, except in an emergency, surface within 50 feet. Other vessels generally must remain at least 150 feet away.
What fish can you legally spear in Illinois?
Illinois lists 39 fish species that may be taken with legal archery and spear methods. The buttons below link to Illinois DNR identification resources. Species-specific limits, live-possession rules and water restrictions still apply.
Native fish
Native status does not automatically mean unlimited harvest. Alligator gar, catfish, site-specific limits and protected-species rules require special attention.
Non-native fish
No live possession is permitted for these listed non-native species except common carp and goldfish. Dispatch prohibited invasive fish before transport.
Not fish: American bullfrogs and common snapping turtles also appear in the same archery/spear regulation, but they have separate seasons, limits and restrictions and are not covered by this fish guide.
Catfish and bullheads have a separate water list
Channel, blue, flathead and white catfish plus black, brown and yellow bullheads appear on the legal-species list, but Illinois restricts catfish-family harvest by these methods to specifically named river reaches and connected waters. Do not assume a catfish is a legal underwater target at an otherwise open lake.
Where is underwater spearfishing legal in Illinois?
Illinois does not provide one simple statewide “all public waters” authorization. Spearing is tied to authorized site-specific waters, listed public river reaches and additional named waters, with multiple refuge and seasonal exclusions.
Site-specific public waters
State, county, municipal and federal waters may be open only when their site-specific regulation permits archery or spear methods. A listing marked “2 Pole and Line Fishing Only” does not authorize underwater spearing.
Read the exact site listing Check posted rulesMississippi and Illinois river systems
- Mississippi River connected public backwaters, including the lower Kaskaskia below its navigation lock and dam.
- Quincy Bay and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge backwaters are excluded.
- Illinois River and connected public backwaters from the Route 89 bridge downstream.
- Refuge waters, Donnelley/DePue, Rice Lake Complex and seasonal waterfowl closures are excluded.
Other named river reaches
- Sangamon River downstream from State Route 48 southwest of Decatur.
- Kaskaskia River south of U.S. Route 50.
- Big Muddy River south of State Route 14.
- Saline River in Gallatin and Saline counties.
- Embarras River, Skillet Fork River and part of the Cache River, subject to exact boundary language.
Ohio River restrictions
The Ohio River is included, but spearing is excluded immediately below specified lock-and-dam structures and within 50 yards of the mouth of any tributary or stream. Read the controlling boundary descriptions before diving.
Illinois waters of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is listed as a site-specific public water, and all sport-fishing devices used there must be attended. State fishing authorization does not guarantee legal entry from every beach, harbor or park property. Chicago Park District rules, municipal ordinances, federal navigation rules, harbor restrictions, swimming-area closures and safe-diving access requirements may independently apply.
Special catfish waters
The catfish-family water list includes the major river reaches above and also the Wabash River, Little Wabash River and the South Fork of the Sangamon River downstream from State Highway 48. It contains additional exclusions, including Charleston Side Channel Lake and specified Ohio River areas. Review Section 810.15(e) before targeting any catfish or bullhead.
Seasons, harvest limits and possession rules
Illinois sport fishing is generally open year-round unless a species, site or property has a closed season. Site-specific restrictions override the statewide summary and can limit dates, methods, access and harvest.
| Fish group | General rule | Harvest or possession rule | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most listed native rough fish | Generally open where the water authorizes spear methods | No statewide size or daily limit is stated for most species | Site-specific limits, protected-species rules and method restrictions still control. |
| Alligator Gar | Legal only where spear methods and the species are open | 1 fish per 24 hours | Illinois has an active restoration program. Identify the fish positively before taking it. |
| Injurious non-native fish | Legal where spear methods are open | No harvest or size limit | Live possession, viable eggs and gametes are prohibited. |
| Common Carp & Goldfish | Legal where spear methods are open | Exception to the general no-live-possession rule for listed non-native fish | Transport and local aquatic-invasive-species rules still apply. |
| Catfish & Bullheads | Only in the waters listed in Section 810.15(e) | No general statewide size or daily limit, unless a site-specific rule applies | The special water list is as important as the species list. |
Legal methods, scuba rules and diver safety
Legal spear methods
- Underwater spear gun
- Hand spear or gig
- Pitchfork
- Bow and arrow or legal bow-and-arrow device
- A valid sport fishing license is required unless exempt.
- Only the listed species may be taken.
- Harvest from, along, across or upon a public right-of-way or highway is prohibited.
- Electricity, explosives, chemicals and other prohibited devices may not be used.
Illinois diver-down flag
The state diver flag is rectangular red, at least 12 inches high by 15 inches wide, with a white diagonal stripe. Federally controlled waters require the blue-and-white Alfa flag.
- Display the flag while scuba diving, skin diving, snorkeling or underwater spearfishing.
- Remain within 150 feet of the flag.
- Except in an emergency, surface within 50 feet of the flag.
- Other vessels generally must remain at least 150 feet away.
- Do not display a diver-down flag when no diving is taking place.
No blanket statewide daylight-only rule
Illinois Section 810.15 does not state the statewide sunrise-to-sunset underwater restriction used by Michigan and Wisconsin. That does not mean every site permits night access or underwater activity. Property hours, waterfowl-season restrictions, navigation rules, local ordinances and posted closures may impose stricter operating times.
Important closures and prohibited conduct
This is not a complete inventory of every Illinois site restriction. Use it as a pre-dive screening list, then confirm the exact property and waterbody rules.
- Pole-and-line-only waters: Spear methods are not authorized unless the site listing creates a specific exception.
- National wildlife refuge backwaters: Multiple Mississippi and Illinois river refuge waters are excluded.
- Quincy Bay: Excluded from the Mississippi connected-backwater authorization.
- Donnelley/DePue and Rice Lake Complex: Excluded from the Illinois River authorization.
- Waterfowl closures: Meredosia Lake and Clear Lake have seasonal exclusions tied to the central-zone duck season.
- Ohio River structures and tributary mouths: Specified lock-and-dam zones and areas within 50 yards of tributary mouths are excluded.
- Public roads: Taking or attempting to take aquatic life along, upon, across or from a public right-of-way or highway is unlawful.
- Protected species: State endangered or threatened aquatic life may not be taken.
- Catch-and-release-only areas: Harvest is prohibited even when the species is otherwise spearable.
- Private, municipal and park rules: Access, swimming, diving and weapons ordinances may be more restrictive than state fishing rules.
Illinois spearfishing FAQ
Is underwater spearfishing legal in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois authorizes underwater spear guns, spears, gigs and other listed methods for specifically named species in authorized waters. A valid sport fishing license is generally required.
Can I use scuba while spearfishing in Illinois?
Illinois does not state a statewide freedive-only restriction in its archery-and-spear fishing rule. Its boating law separately regulates scuba, skin diving, snorkeling and underwater spearfishing through diver-down-flag requirements. Site or property rules may be stricter.
Can I spear walleye, northern pike, bass or panfish?
No. Those fish are not included in the Section 810.15 legal spear-species list. Only the species expressly listed in the rule may be taken by spear methods.
Can I spear catfish in Illinois?
Catfish and bullheads appear on the legal-species list, but their harvest by these methods is limited to the waters specifically listed in Section 810.15(e). Check that list and all local limits before diving.
Is underwater spearfishing allowed in Lake Michigan?
The Illinois portion of Lake Michigan is listed as a site-specific public water, but legal access depends on more than the state fishing rule. Confirm the exact harbor, beach or park property, local ordinances, federal navigation rules, diving access and posted restrictions before entering the water with a spear.
Can I spearfish at night in Illinois?
The statewide archery-and-spear section does not state a blanket daylight-only restriction. Individual sites, parks, refuges and municipalities may limit access or fishing hours, and all diving activity remains subject to navigation and diver-flag laws.
How close must I stay to my dive flag?
Stay within 150 feet of the flag and, except in an emergency, do not surface more than 50 feet away. Vessels not engaged in the dive operation generally must remain at least 150 feet from the flag.
Can I transport invasive fish alive?
No live possession of listed non-native fish is permitted except common carp and goldfish. Injurious species have no harvest or size limit, but live specimens, viable eggs and gametes are prohibited.
Official Illinois resources
Save these links before a trip. Emergency rule changes, posted restrictions, waterfowl closures and local ordinances can alter what is legal during the year.