Spear Fishing Adventures in Michigan: Where to Fish, Regulations, and Exploration

(Illustrative Only)

A guy and gal
checking out fishing 
locations for 
traditional hook & line 
as well as spear fishing. 
Read the regulations below.

Spearfishing in Michigan may be a new thing and understanding the rules, best methods, habitate and strategy is helpful. I'm still exploring the idea of spearfishing in the UP of Michigan, and it's been a fun learning experience. I'm also getting up to speed on the current regulations, which I've posted below. Be sure to read them carefully, as not every fish species is legal to spear.

While scouting locations, I realized I wasn't looking in the right area. After reviewing the map, I found that the designated waters extend from the Ford River southward and from north of middle of Garden, so now I have a better idea of where to explore. 

None of my earlier snorkeling trips were wasted, though. I learned where fish tend to gather, which also makes those areas good candidates for traditional hook-and-line fishing. I enjoy diving and swimming anyway, so putting on a wetsuit, taking a leisurely lap through the lake with my camera, and observing the underwater environment is half the fun. The photos below are simply from those early scouting trips.

Trying out the camera. 
Not great quality but
it does do the trick. 
I may need to upgrade someday. 
I paid like $26 for it. 
Seems to work fine
and easy to use. 

Fish like to hide here.

One thing I noticed is that fish often congregate around rocky areas, with nearby weed beds providing additional cover. The underwater drop-offs also seem to attract fish, likely because they offer cooler water and darker habitat. The water was fairly murky during this trip, so I wasn't able to follow fish to see what they are doing, but it was still a worthwhile outing.

For now, this is all part of the preliminary phase of learning to spearfish—understanding the regulations, identifying which species can legally be harvested, finding productive locations, and getting some exercise along the way. Whether you're carrying a fishing rod or a spear, it's hard to beat spending time in the water. And this time of year, the waters of Delta County are warm, inviting, and a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

Where can you spear fish in Delta County. South of Ford River or on the other half of Garden. Spear Fishing Locations

There is a page or two on spear fishing in there. 2026 Fishing Regulations MI.