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Do you need an Arizona fishing license?
Yes. Anglers age 10 and older must have a valid Arizona fishing license to fish in any public water in the state. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) issues all licenses and sets seasons, bag limits, and special-water rules.
Children under 10 fish free when accompanied by a licensed adult. Arizona has one of the lowest license ages in the country, so plan ahead for any youth on your trip.
Arizona fishing license cost in 2026
A resident annual fishing license costs $37. A non-resident annual license is $55. Both include trout fishing privileges, so no separate trout stamp is required.
Short-term options include a 1-day license at $20 for any angler and combo Hunt & Fish or Combination Hunt-Fish licenses for residents at $57. Youth (ages 10-17) combo licenses cost $5. A Disabled Veteran license is free.
Arizona also offers a lifetime fishing license to residents for $750 (or $500 if purchased between ages 0-13), which never expires and includes trout privileges. Pioneer (age 70+) discounted licenses are available for long-time residents.
Where to buy an Arizona fishing license
The quickest way is online at azgfd.gov, the official AZGFD portal. You'll receive a digital license that you can store in the AZGFD app or print. You can also call 1-866-462-0433.
In person, licenses are sold at AZGFD regional offices in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Flagstaff, Pinetop, Kingman, and Yuma. More than 200 license dealers, including Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Sportsman's Warehouse, and bait shops, sell licenses statewide. Licenses are valid for 365 days from purchase, not the calendar year.
Arizona free fishing days in 2026
Arizona's Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 6, 2026. Residents and non-residents can fish any public water without a license on that day. All other rules, including bag and size limits and Community Fishing Program regulations, still apply.
AZGFD also hosts an Urban Fishing Free Fishing Day at community ponds in Phoenix and Tucson, typically aligning with the statewide date. Free kids' fishing clinics run throughout the spring.
Key Arizona fishing regulations
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 13-inch minimum and 6-fish daily limit on most waters, though Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, and Saguaro lakes follow Colorado River rules. Striped bass have no limit on Lake Pleasant and the Colorado River below Davis Dam.
Trout limits are 6 per day combined across rainbow, brown, brook, and Apache trout in stocked waters. Apache trout has special protection in native range. Some Lees Ferry sections on the Colorado River are catch-and-release artificial-only.
Community Fishing Program waters (urban ponds in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Payson) have a 4-fish daily limit on catfish and 4 on trout. Two-pole fishing requires a Two-Pole Stamp at $5 annually.
Best fishing in Arizona
Lake Roosevelt is Arizona's best big-bass lake, producing 10-pound-plus largemouth and good smallmouth in the upper end. Saguaro and Apache lakes on the Salt River chain are scenic, year-round bass fisheries.
Lees Ferry on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam is a blue-ribbon rainbow trout fishery. The White Mountains hold native Apache trout in streams like the West Fork of the Black River. Lake Powell offers striped bass, smallmouth, and walleye.
Browse Arizona waters with GilledIt's directory at /us/fishing-pond-directory/arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resident annual fishing license costs $37 and a non-resident annual is $55. Both include trout privileges. A 1-day license is $20 for any angler.
Anglers age 10 and older must have a fishing license in Arizona. Kids under 10 fish free when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Arizona's Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 6, 2026. Anyone can fish public waters without a license, although bag and size limits still apply.
Arizona sells 1-day, annual, combo hunt-fish, youth combo, lifetime, pioneer (senior), and free disabled-veteran licenses. All annuals include trout privileges.
Yes. A Lifetime Fishing License costs $750 for residents (or $500 if bought between ages 0-13) and never expires. It includes trout fishing privileges.
No. Arizona eliminated the separate trout stamp. Every annual or short-term license already includes the right to fish for and keep trout.