Minnesota Spearfishing Regulations: 2026–2027 Legal Guide
A practical guide to Minnesota underwater spearfishing licenses, legal fish, open-water seasons, equipment rules, dive flags, closed waters, border-water exceptions and darkhouse spearing differences.
Last reviewed July 20, 2026 · Regulations effective March 2026 through February 28, 2027
Five rules to know before you enter the water
Minnesota calls underwater speargun fishing “harpooning.” It is legal only for native rough fish and common carp—excluding gar—and only from sunrise to sunset during the open harpooning season.
Carry an angling license
Anglers age 16 and older need a Minnesota fishing license unless an angling-license exclusion applies. Open-water underwater spearfishing does not require the separate darkhouse spearing license.
Entirely underwater
The operator and the spear equipment must both be entirely below the surface when a rubber-, spring- or air-powered underwater spear is discharged.
Sunrise to sunset only
Underwater spearguns may be used only during daylight. Minnesota boating law separately prohibits scuba or skin diving while possessing a spear from sunset to sunrise.
Stay 1,000 feet from beaches
Underwater harpooning equipment may not be used within 1,000 feet of an established swimming beach. Designated trout lakes and streams are also closed.
Remain within 50 feet of your flag
Display the official red-and-white diver flag, stay within 50 feet of it, and keep no more than four divers under one flag. Other boats must remain 150 feet away.
What fish can you legally spear underwater in Minnesota?
Minnesota permits underwater harpooning of common carp and native rough fish, except gar. The native rough-fish category includes the groups below.
Legal open-water underwater targets
Regulatory groups can contain multiple species. Learn to distinguish redhorse, suckers, buffalo, carpsuckers, goldeye and mooneye before taking a shot.
Not legal with an underwater speargun
Gar are excluded from the underwater-harpoon authorization. Northern pike, channel catfish, flathead catfish and whitefish are darkhouse-only spear species. Walleye, bass, muskellunge, trout, salmon, sturgeon, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch are not legal underwater spear targets.
Do not shoot and release: Speared or dead fish may not be returned to the water or abandoned on the bank.
Native rough-fish rules are under active review
Minnesota proposed new native rough-fish harvest limits during 2026. The page reflects the regulations currently published for the 2026–2027 season, but divers should check for a completed rule change before each trip.
Where is underwater spearfishing legal in Minnesota?
The general inland authorization is broad, but trout waters, swimming beaches, Baby Lake and border waters require special attention.
Most inland waters
Underwater harpooning is generally open on inland waters where taking fish is otherwise legal.
May 1–February 14 Sunrise–sunset 50-foot flag radiusClosed inland waters and areas
- Baby Lake in Cass County
- Designated trout lakes
- Designated trout streams
- Within 1,000 feet of an established swimming beach
- Any water or area where taking fish is otherwise prohibited
Lake Superior
Native rough fish and other species not specifically listed in the Lake Superior regulations follow inland rules. Divers must also follow Lake Superior navigation and flag requirements.
A dive boat on Lake Superior must display the federal blue-and-white Alfa flag in addition to the diver’s red-and-white state flag.
Border waters
Canada, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin boundary waters use separate spearing seasons, species lists and possession limits. Those rules replace the general inland summary.
Examples include a May 1–December 31 season on North Dakota boundary waters and a May 1–February 28 season on South Dakota boundary waters.
Check LakeFinder and special regulations
Experimental regulations, seasonal spawning closures, tribal waters, national parks, wildlife refuges and local restrictions can change access to an otherwise legal water. Confirm the exact lake or river before diving.
Underwater seasons and possession limits
The table below applies to inland open-water underwater harpooning. Hand-held spear seasons and border-water regulations can use different dates.
| Fish group | Underwater harpoon season | Possession limit | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suckers | May 1, 2026–February 14, 2027 | 50 | A separate hand-held-spear sucker season continues through February 28. |
| Bullheads | May 1, 2026–February 14, 2027 | 100 | Live-bait possession and transportation rules are separate. |
| Redhorse | May 1, 2026–February 14, 2027 | 50 | The hand-held spear season opens earlier, on April 25, 2026. |
| Common Carp, Buffalo, Freshwater Drum & Bowfin | May 1, 2026–February 14, 2027 | No current statewide limit | Common carp are the only fish in this group that may be bought or sold. |
| Quillback, Carpsuckers, Goldeye & Mooneye | May 1, 2026–February 14, 2027 | No current statewide limit | Proposed native rough-fish rules could establish new limits. |
| Gar | Closed to underwater harpoon | Not applicable | Gar may be legal under some hand-spear, bowfishing, darkhouse or border-water rules—but not the inland underwater-speargun rule. |
Legal speargun equipment and diver safety
Underwater spear requirements
- The spear may be discharged by a rubber-powered gun, spring gun or air gun.
- The spear must be attached by a tethered line no longer than 20 feet.
- Both the equipment and operator must be entirely underwater when fired.
- Do not carry a harpoon in a cocked position while out of the water.
- Do not possess spears or harpoons on or near the water during a closed season.
- Speared fish may not be returned to the water or abandoned.
- Only common carp may be bought or sold.
Minnesota diver-down flag
The flag must measure at least 15 inches horizontally by 12 inches vertically, with a white diagonal stripe at least 3 inches wide.
- The top of the flag must be at least 30 inches above the water.
- Divers must remain within 50 feet of the flag.
- No more than four divers may use one flag.
- Boats not involved in the dive must remain at least 150 feet away.
- Contained group-diving areas need flags around the perimeter at intervals no greater than 150 feet.
- Do not place the flag where it obstructs navigation.
Darkhouse spearing is a different fishery
Minnesota’s well-known northern-pike spearing rules apply through the ice from a darkened shelter. They do not authorize a freediver or scuba diver to spear pike.
Darkhouse-only game fish
- Northern pike
- Channel catfish
- Flathead catfish
- Whitefish
Native rough fish, including gar, and common carp may also be taken from a darkhouse during their applicable seasons.
License requirement
Residents age 18 through 89 and nonresidents age 18 and older need both an angling license and a darkhouse spearing license. Youth age 16 and 17 need an angling license only.
2026–2027 season
The general darkhouse season is November 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027, except where prohibited. Flathead catfish close November 30, 2026.
Method restrictions
Artificial lights may not be used to see or attract fish while darkhouse spearing. Party fishing does not apply: each person may spear only their own fish.
Pike limits vary by zone
Minnesota uses Northeast, North-central and Southern northern-pike zones, with different protected sizes and possession limits. Border waters and lakes with special regulations can differ again.
Minnesota spearfishing FAQ
Is underwater spearfishing legal in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota permits underwater harpooning of native rough fish and common carp, excluding gar, during the open season and in waters where the method is legal.
Can I use scuba while spearfishing in Minnesota?
Yes. The fishing rule requires the operator and equipment to be entirely underwater when the spear is fired and does not prohibit scuba. All diver-flag and boating requirements still apply.
Do I need a separate spearing license?
Not for open-water underwater harpooning. Anglers age 16 and older need an angling license unless exempt. The separate spearing license applies to darkhouse spearing.
Can I spear northern pike while freediving or scuba diving?
No. Northern pike are a darkhouse-only spear species. Minnesota’s pike-spearing authorization applies through the ice from a darkened shelter.
Can I spear gar underwater?
No under the general inland underwater-harpoon rule. The regulation expressly excludes gar, even though gar are classified as native rough fish and may be legal under other spear, bowfishing or border-water rules.
Can I underwater spearfish at night?
No. Underwater harpooning is limited to sunrise through sunset, and Minnesota boating law prohibits scuba or skin diving while possessing a spear from sunset to sunrise.
How close must I stay to my dive flag?
Divers must stay within 50 feet of the flag. No more than four divers may use one flag, and unrelated vessels must stay at least 150 feet away.
Can I underwater spearfish in Lake Superior?
Native rough fish not otherwise listed in the Lake Superior section follow inland rules. Confirm the exact species, season, access point and navigation requirements. A dive boat on Lake Superior must also display the federal Alfa flag.
Official Minnesota resources
Save these links before a trip. Special regulations, rulemaking, border waters and local restrictions can change what is legal.