Indiana Spearfishing Regulations: 2026–2027 Legal Guide
A practical guide to Indiana underwater spearfishing licenses, legal fish, open lakes and river reaches, Lake Michigan restrictions, scuba rules, diver-down flags and Ohio River laws.
Last reviewed July 20, 2026 · Regulations guide effective for 2026–2027
Five rules to know before you enter the water
Indiana allows fish spears, spear guns and underwater spears throughout the year, during the day or at night—but only for listed fish and only in legal waters. Lake Michigan is treated differently from Indiana’s other lakes.
Carry a fishing license
A valid Indiana fishing license is required unless a statutory exemption applies. Anglers younger than 18 are generally exempt.
Freediving or scuba
Indiana does not impose a freedive-only fishing rule. Scuba and skin diving are generally allowed where diving access and underwater spearfishing are legal.
Year-round, day or night
Legal spear methods may be used all year at any time of day. Property hours, navigation rules and posted closures can still be more restrictive.
Confirm the exact water
Underwater spears are legal in lakes other than Lake Michigan, the Ohio River and specifically listed large-river reaches—not every Indiana stream.
Display a diver-down flag
Use a free-flying red-and-white dive flag. Except in an emergency, surface within 100 feet of it; other boats generally must stay 150 feet away.
What fish can you legally spear in Indiana?
Indiana authorizes underwater spear harvest for seven regulatory groups: invasive carp, bowfin, buffalo fish, common carp, gar, shad and suckers. Click a button for Indiana DNR identification or invasive-species information.
Legal underwater spear targets
The legal language uses broad fish groups. Positive identification still matters, particularly among suckers and redhorse species.
Never spear protected fish
Indiana’s endangered-fish list includes the greater redhorse, lake sturgeon, cisco, bantam sunfish, Hoosier cavefish, channel darter, gilt darter, Western sand darter, pallid shiner, redside dace and variegate darter. Endangered fish may not be taken or possessed.
Not legal spear targets: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, bass, panfish, catfish, trout, salmon, whitefish and shovelnose sturgeon.
Invasive carp must not remain alive
Indiana prohibits live possession of bighead, black and silver carp and treats invasive carp as a serious aquatic-invasive-species threat. Dispatch prohibited invasive fish immediately and never move live fish between waters.
Where is underwater spearfishing legal in Indiana?
Indiana’s legal-water framework is unusually clear: all qualifying lakes except Lake Michigan, seven listed large-river reaches, and the main stem of the Ohio River. Tributaries, embayments and access properties may have different rules.
Indiana lakes, ponds and reservoirs
Fish spears, gigs, spear guns and underwater spears may be used in Indiana lakes other than Lake Michigan for the legal fish groups.
Year-round Day or night Scuba or freediveAlways verify property hours, swimming zones, local ordinances and whether underwater access is permitted at the launch or park.
Listed large-river reaches
- Kankakee River: Illinois border upstream to the State Road 55 bridge.
- Maumee River: Ohio border upstream to Anthony Boulevard Bridge in Fort Wayne.
- St. Joseph River in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
- Tippecanoe River: Wabash confluence upstream to one-half mile below Big Creek.
- Wabash River: Ohio River confluence upstream to State Road 13 in Wabash.
- White River: Wabash confluence upstream to the East/West Fork junction.
- East and West Forks of the White River within their specifically described upstream limits.
Ohio River
Fish spears, spear guns and underwater spears may be used for invasive carp, bowfin, buffalo, common carp, gar, shad and suckers on the Ohio River main stem.
Indiana and Kentucky recognize either state’s fishing license on the main stem, but tributaries and embayments require the license and rules of the state where you are fishing.
Lake Michigan: underwater spears closed
Indiana law authorizes bowfishing equipment or a crossbow—but not a spear, spear gun, gig or underwater spear—for the listed fish in Lake Michigan.
Indiana also has only limited Lake Michigan license reciprocity. Confirm the state boundary before fishing outside Indiana water.
Tippecanoe River possession restriction
Do not possess a fish spear or fish gig in, on or adjacent to the Tippecanoe River from one-half mile below the Big Creek junction upstream to Oakdale Dam at Lake Freeman.
Seasons, limits and possession rules
The current statewide size-and-bag table does not establish a general daily bag or minimum-size limit for the legal underwater spear groups. Protected-species, invasive-species, border-water and property rules still apply.
| Fish group or water | Season and time | General limit | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal spear fish groups | Year-round, day or night | No general statewide daily bag or minimum size listed | Local, protected-species and water-specific rules can override this summary. |
| Invasive Carp | Year-round where the method is legal | No recreational harvest limit stated | Do not possess prohibited invasive carp alive. Dispatch immediately. |
| Ohio River | Fish spear, spear gun and underwater spear are legal methods for the listed groups | Follow the Ohio River rules and the law tied to your license | No fish may be taken within 200 yards below an Ohio River dam except by fishing pole or hand line. |
| Lake Michigan | Underwater spear methods are not authorized | Not applicable | Bowfishing equipment and crossbows are the authorized alternative methods for the listed fish. |
| Possession of endangered fish | Closed all year | Zero | Return any accidentally encountered endangered fish unharmed to the water immediately. |
Legal gear, scuba rules and diver safety
Legal spear methods
- Fish spear
- Gig
- Spear gun
- Underwater spear
- Artificial lights may be used to aid legal fishing.
- A gaff or grab hook may be used only to land a fish already caught by a legal method.
- Do not introduce live fish into another water without a stocking permit.
- Confirm local park, reservoir, marina and swimming-area rules before entering.
Indiana diver-down flag
Indiana defines a red flag with a white diagonal stripe, at least 12 inches high and proportioned approximately 4 units high by 5 units long.
- Display the flag prominently and free-flying while diving, except in an area customarily used only for swimming.
- Lower the flag after all divers are aboard or ashore.
- Except in an emergency, surface within 100 feet of the flag.
- Other vessels generally must stay at least 150 feet away unless supporting the diver.
- Other objects generally may not be placed in the water within 100 feet unless supporting the diver.
- Do not dive within 150 feet of an anchored vessel unless it is supporting the dive.
Important closures and restricted waters
These are the restrictions most likely to affect an Indiana spearfishing trip. Property rules and local ordinances can create additional closures.
- Lake Michigan: Fish spears, gigs, spear guns and underwater spears are not authorized; the special rule allows bowfishing equipment or crossbows.
- Lake Michigan tributaries: Possession of spear equipment is prohibited in or adjacent to the Galena River, Trail Creek, East and West branches of the Little Calumet River, Salt Creek, Burns Ditch, Deep River below the Lake George dam and their tributaries.
- Tippecanoe River: Fish spears and gigs may not be possessed from one-half mile below Big Creek upstream to Oakdale Dam.
- Ohio River dams: Within 200 yards below a dam, fish may be taken only by fishing pole or hand line.
- Protected fish: Endangered species, including greater redhorse and lake sturgeon, may never be taken or possessed.
- Swimming and park areas: Swimming rules, park operating hours and local ordinances may prohibit diving or spear equipment even when the lake is otherwise open under fishing law.
- Private waters: Public-water fish that move into private water remain subject to state rules; separate rules may apply to truly private fish populations.
- Historic and nature preserves: Do not disturb or remove cultural, biological or shipwreck materials while diving.
Indiana spearfishing FAQ
Is underwater spearfishing legal in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana permits fish spears, spear guns, gigs and underwater spears for invasive carp, bowfin, buffalo, common carp, gar, shad and suckers in legal lakes and specified river reaches.
Can I use scuba while spearfishing in Indiana?
Indiana does not establish a freedive-only fishing rule. Scuba and skin diving are generally compatible with the underwater-spear authorization, but the dive site, property and access point must also allow diving.
Can I underwater spearfish in Indiana’s Lake Michigan waters?
No. The Indiana rule authorizes bowfishing equipment or a crossbow for the listed fish in Lake Michigan. Spears, gigs, spear guns and underwater spears are authorized in other Indiana lakes, not Lake Michigan.
Can I spear fish at night in Indiana?
Yes. The fishing guide states that legal spear methods may be used year-round at any time of day. Local property hours, navigation laws and posted restrictions can still close access at night.
Can I spear catfish, walleye or northern pike?
No. Indiana’s underwater-spear rule is limited to invasive carp, bowfin, buffalo, common carp, gar, shad and suckers.
Do I need an Indiana fishing license?
Generally yes. Anglers younger than 18 are exempt, as are Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943, along with certain other statutory exemptions.
How close must I stay to my diver-down flag?
Except in an emergency, surface within 100 feet of the flag. Vessels not supporting the dive generally must remain at least 150 feet away.
Can I use lights while underwater spearfishing?
Indiana permits fishing with the aid of a spotlight, searchlight or artificial light. The species, water, access and method must still be legal.
Official Indiana resources
Save these links before a trip. Administrative rules, property notices, invasive-species guidance and emergency changes can alter what is legal.