During the Paleolithic (or prehistoric) period Spearfishing was a very common and easy way of hunting. The historian Russell Dale Guthrie wrote, "barbed harpoons were in widespread use about 15,000 years ago" in The Nature of Paleolithic Art. The Cosquer Cave near Marseille in southern France cave art was discovered. It provided ample evidence of ancient fishing with spears. The cave paintings show images of harpooned or speared seals, which can date back more than 16,000 years ago.

A variety of fishing techniques were used by the ancient Egyptians. Including netting, line fishing and spearfishing. Evidence of the Egyptians using spears to fish was found in tomb paintings and on illustrations that were drawn on papyrus paper. They spearfished from both the river bank and from small boats made out of reeds. A prime example can be seen in the tomb of Menna in Thebes. A picture resembleing the one at left, is shown with Menna clearly standing in a boat with his spear raised and at the ready.

Throughout the Classical Era and biblical times references to spearfishgin can be found. Around 150 B.C. The Greek historian Polybius wrote "The Histories." In it he illustrates the use of barbed harpoons for spearing swordfish. Another Greed chronicler, Oppian of Corycus, wrote about fishing with spears and tridents in Halieulica. Often thought of as weapons tridents in Greek and Roman mythology are actually spearing instruments. The sea god Poseidon (Neptune) shown at left is notorious for his fishing trident.

The American Indian have practiced spearfishing for over 3 milliena. This is because fish were a key source of nutrition for many tribes and could be captured year round. In temperate months, to catch their prey, the fishermen would take to the rivers and lakes using thier canoes. In the winter however, they would cut small holes in the ice and practice line fishing.

In modern times, spearfishing is now a popular sport, including free-divers, snorkelers and scuba divers. But now there is a rise in the use of diving masks, googles, spearguns, and swimming fins. However, many indigenous Australians still spearfish in the traditional method of wading in waist-deep water. Amazonian tribesmen hailing in South America still use spearfishing as one of their principal fishing methods. These Amazonian hunters use multi-pointed fishing spears to great effect.