Arizona Fishing License (2026): Cost, Where to Buy & Rules
Issued by the Arizona Game and Fish Department
How much is a fishing license in Arizona?
A resident annual Arizona fishing license costs $37.00, and a non-resident annual license is $55.00. Arizona also offers short-term day passes and discounted youth and senior licenses, all sold by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
🎫 Buy a Arizona Fishing License →Fishing in Arizona
Arizona fishing means desert reservoirs and the Colorado River, plus a surprising cold-water scene up high. Roosevelt, Havasu and Powell hold largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass and catfish, fishing well through the warm months. In the White Mountains and at Lees Ferry — a blue-ribbon rainbow trout tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam — the state stocks and grows quality trout. Warmwater fishing runs year-round in the low desert, while the high country and tailwaters shine in cooler months.
Arizona Fishing License Types & 2026 Prices
Resident Annual
Freshwater
$37.00
Non-Resident Annual
Freshwater
$55.00
Non-Resident 1-Day
Freshwater
$15.00
Non-Resident 5-Day
Freshwater
$30.00
Senior (70+)
FreeAZ resident 70+ with 25+ consecutive years residency (Pioneer license); otherwise pays the $37 annual
Youth (under 10)
Free✅ Prices verified January 2026 from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. License fees can change year to year — confirm current rates with the agency before you buy.
Who needs a Arizona fishing license?
Most adult anglers need a license to fish in Arizona. Several groups are exempt or pay a reduced fee:
- Youth
- Children under 10 do not need a license. No license required under age 10 (and blind residents need no license). Youths 10–17, resident or non-resident, may buy a $5 Youth Combination hunt & fish license.
- Seniors (70+)
- FREE Pioneer license for residents 70 and older who have held 25+ consecutive years of Arizona residency — a lifetime complimentary hunt & fish privilege, not a simple 70+ discount. Seniors without the 25-year tenure pay the standard $37 resident annual.
- Anglers with disabilities
- Blind Arizona residents need no fishing license. Arizona also issues complimentary/reduced licenses to certain residents with qualifying disabilities on application to AZGFD.
- Veterans & military
- Complimentary license for resident veterans certified by the VA as 100% permanently service-connected disabled who have held at least one consecutive year of Arizona residency. Active-duty exemptions are narrow — check with AZGFD.
- Free fishing days (2026)
- Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Arizona Free Fishing Day; no license required to fish public waters statewide. Bag limits and all other fishing regulations still apply.
Short-term day licenses are available for visitors and occasional anglers. Always confirm the current rules with the Arizona Game and Fish Department before heading out. ✅ Exemptions verified August 2026.
Arizona Fishing Limits by Species (2026)
General statewide bag, size, and season limits for popular Arizona species.
| Species | Daily Bag | Min Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth BassStatewide general limit; the 13-inch minimum applies only to Community Waters | 6 | No limit | Year-round |
| TroutHigher limits on some community/urban waters | 4 | No limit | Year-round (stocked waters) |
| Channel CatfishStatewide general limit | 10 | No limit | Year-round |
| Striped BassStatewide limit is 10; no limit on Mead/Mohave/Pleasant/Willow Beach | 10 | No limit | Year-round |
⚠️ Limits are general statewide references and change year to year — many lakes and rivers carry their own bag, size, and slot rules. Always confirm the current regulation for your specific water with the Arizona Game and Fish Department before you keep a fish. Reviewed July 2026.
Arizona Fishing License FAQ
How much is a fishing license in Arizona?
A resident annual fishing license in Arizona costs $37.00, and a non-resident annual license costs $55.00. Arizona also offers short-term (day) licenses for visitors, discounted youth and senior options. Licenses are sold by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Do you need a fishing license in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona requires a fishing license to fish recreationally. Children under 10 are exempt. FREE Pioneer license for residents 70 and older who have held 25+ consecutive years of Arizona residency — a lifetime complimentary hunt & fish privilege, not a simple 70+ discount. Seniors without the 25-year tenure pay the standard $37 resident annual. Always confirm current rules with the Arizona Game and Fish Department before you fish.
Where do you buy a Arizona fishing license?
Buy directly from the Arizona Game and Fish Department online — that's the cheapest option (no third-party markup). You can also buy at most sporting-goods retailers and many tackle shops in Arizona.
Fishing licenses in nearby states
Got your license — now find a fishing buddy in Arizona
MyFishingBuds matches you with anglers in Arizona by style, species, and schedule.
Find a fishing buddy →