The Arizona fishing regulations manage limits for a number of species. Trout are available in a few fisheries. Bass are abundant, striped bass, pike, walleye and carp are also found throughout the state. Arizona has reservoirs for water storage that make great fisheries along with a few free flowing, wild rivers. The Colorado River is the largest waterway in the state.
Buy a LicenseArizona Fishing License Costs
| Angling License Fees | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License – 10 Years and Older | $37.00 | $55.00 |
| Combo Hunt and Fish | $57.00 | $160.00 |
| Youth Combo Hunt and Fish | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Short Term Combo Hunt and Fish – Daily | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Community Fishing | $24.00 | $24.00 |
Who Needs a License
A valid Arizona license is required for taking wildlife (including fish) in Arizona. The licensee shall carry the license when participating in hunting or fishing or other form of take. Take means pursuing, shooting, hunting, fishing, trapping, killing, capturing, snaring, or netting wildlife. Wildlife includes all wild mammals, wild birds, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans and fish.
Hunting License – Arizona residents and non-residents 10 years and older need a valid hunting license to hunt in Arizona. A person under 10 may hunt wildlife other than big game without a license when accompanied by a properly licensed person 18 years or older. No more than two unlicensed children may accompany any license holder. No one under the age of 14 may take big game without having completed a Hunter Education Course. No one under age 10 may take big game in Arizona. Check the Arizona Hunting Regulations for additional information.
Fishing License – A valid Arizona fishing license is required for Arizona resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in Arizona. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona. Check the Arizona Fishing Regulations for additional information.
Arizona Fishing Regulations Residency Requirements
In general, an Arizona resident is a person who is domiciled (claims the state of Arizona as their true, fixed and permanent home and principal residence) in this state for six months immediately preceding the date of application for a license, permit, tag, or stamp and does not claim residency for any purpose in another state or jurisdiction. Or is a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty and stationed in this state for either permanent or temporary duty; or is a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty stationed in another state or country but who lists this state as their home of record at the time of applying for a license, permit, tag, or stamp. Arizona Residents may purchase a resident license. All other individuals must purchase a nonresident license. Additional information.
Lost License Replacement
Lost or destroyed licenses may be replaced for a fee at any Arizona Game and Fish Department license dealer. An applicant for a duplicate license will be required to sign an affidavit attesting that the applicant purchased an original license. Licenses purchased online or through department offices may be reprinted online any time for no additional fee.
Complimentary Licenses
Individuals must meet criteria to qualify for a free license that includes combination hunting, fishing and community fishing privileges. These licenses are only available through Arizona Game and Fish Department offices.
Pioneer License
A person must be 70 years of age or older, plus 25 consecutive years as a bona fide Arizona resident immediately preceding application for the license.
Disabled Veteran
A person must show certification from the Veteran’s Administration confirming permanent service connected disabilities rated as 100 percent disabling, plus one or more consecutive years as a bona fide Arizona resident immediately preceding application for license. Additional information.
White Mountain Zone Fishing Regulations and General Limits:
| Species | Daily Limits |
|---|---|
| Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, apache, grayling) | 6 any combination |
| Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) | 6 any combination |
| Striped Bass | 10 |
| Walleye | 6 |
| Northern Pike | Unlimited, immediate kill or release |
| Catfish (including channel and flathead) | 10 any combination |
| Crappie (white and black) | Unlimited |
| White Amur (Grass Carp) | 1 minimum 30 inches |
| Roundtail Chub | Catch and Release Only |
| Sunfishes | Unlimited |
| All Other Species (except protected native fishes) | Unlimited |
Possession Limits
Statewide possession limits are twice (2x) the daily bag limit for each species, unless a different possession limit is specified by water. Possession limit means the maximum limit, in number or amount of fish, which may be possessed at one time by any one person.
| Other General Regulations for Arizona |
|---|
|
North Central Region Limits
See below for exceptions.
| Species | Daily Limits |
|---|---|
| Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, apache, grayling) | 6 any combination |
| Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) | 6 any combination |
| Striped Bass | 10 |
| Walleye | 6 |
| Northern Pike | Unlimited, immediate kill or release |
| Catfish (including channel and flathead) | 10 any combination |
| Crappie (white and black) | Unlimited |
| White Amur (Grass Carp) | 1 minimum 30 inches |
| Roundtail Chub | Catch and Release Only |
| Sunfishes | Unlimited |
| All Other Species (except protected native fishes) | Unlimited |
Colorado River Zone Limits
See below for exceptions.
| Species | Daily Limits |
|---|---|
| Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, apache, grayling) | 6 any combination |
| Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) | 6 any combination |
| Striped Bass | 10 |
| Walleye | 6 |
| Northern Pike | Unlimited, immediate kill or release |
| Catfish (including channel and flathead) | 10 any combination |
| Crappie (white and black) | Unlimited |
| White Amur (Grass Carp) | 1 minimum 30 inches |
| Roundtail Chub | Catch and Release Only |
| Sunfishes | Unlimited |
| All Other Species (except protected native fishes) | Unlimited |
Special Regulations: Colorado River
From Glen Canyon Dam to the beginning of the Paria riffle (Lees Ferry):
- Rainbow trout over 14 inches may not be possessed. The limit is 4 rainbow trout per day; artificial fly and lure only; barbless hooks only.
- Rainbow trout taken from this portion of the Colorado river shall be killed and retained as part of the bag limit or immediately released; there is no limit on other sport fish species which includes all species of bass (including sunfish and stripers), all species of catfish, all species of trout other than rainbow trout, and walleye.
From the beginning of the Paria riffle to Navajo Bridge, including all tributaries: T
- The limit is 6 rainbow trout per day. Rainbow trout taken from this portion of the Colorado river shall be killed and retained as part of the bag limit or immediately released; there is no limit on other sport fish species which includes all species of bass (including sunfish and stripers), all species of catfish, all species of trout other than rainbow trout, and walleye.
From Navajo Bridge to Separation Canyon, including all tributaries within the Grand Canyon National Park:
- There is no limit on sport fish species which includes all species of bass (including sunfish and stripers), all species of catfish, all species of trout, and walleye.
From Separation Canyon to Hoover Dam (including Lake Mead):
- The limit is 5 trout; the limit is 20 striped bass 20 inches in length or larger; unlimited for striped bass under 20 inches in length; the limit is 15 crappie.
From Hoover Dam to Davis Dam (including Lake Mohave and Willow Beach):
- The limit is 10 trout; the limit is 20 for striped bass 20 inches in length or larger; unlimited for striped bass under 20 inches in length; striped bass may be taken by spear or spear gun from that portion of the lake between hoover Dam and cottonwood landing.
From Davis Dam to the California-Nevada boundary:
- The limit is 10 trout; the limit is 6 bass, minimum size 13 inches.
From the California-Nevada boundary to I-40 bridge:
- The limit is 10 trout; the limit is 6 bass, minimum size 13 inches; the limit is 10 catfish in any combination; the limit is 25 crappie
From I-40 bridge to the Southern International Boundary with Mexico including Lake Havasu, Martinez Lake, Mittry Lake and associated backwaters:
- The limit is 10 trout; the limit is 6 bass, minimum size 13 inches; the limit is 10 catfish in any combination; the limit is 25 sunfish or crappie in any combination.
Central Zone Limits
| Species | Daily Limits |
|---|---|
| Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, apache, grayling) | 6 any combination |
| Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) | 6 any combination |
| Striped Bass | 10 |
| Walleye | 6 |
| Northern Pike | Unlimited, immediate kill or release |
| Catfish (including channel and flathead) | 10 any combination |
| Crappie (white and black) | Unlimited |
| White Amur (Grass Carp) | 1 minimum 30 inches |
| Roundtail Chub | Catch and Release Only |
| Sunfishes | Unlimited |
| All Other Species (except protected native fishes) | Unlimited |
Return to Fishing Regulations main page
