Schools of large and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie and bluegill populate the waters of Arizona lakes and waterways. Cottonwood Cove is popular for its abundance of bass. Anglers make a beeline towards the different fishing areas in order to reel in the best catch.
Securing a license does not require much work since the application process can be done online through the Arizona Game and Fish Department website. You may also purchase one yourself at authorized distributors and representatives such as tackle shop or your local athletic shop.
Before your trip, make sure that you read through the updated local laws on fishing in Arizona since these change, depending on the season and availability of the fish in the area. These protocols also exist to sustain and safeguard the marine life in the region. That way, everyone gets to have the time of their lives without disrupting the local ecosystem and wildlife.
Just like most areas where fishing is a popular sport or hobby, Arizona also follows the catch and release policy where anglers toss their catch of the day back into the vast waters. This is to avoid overfishing and to ensure the proliferation of fish in the area.
Arizona is one of the prime spots for water recreations. The State has been very proud of its waters, hosting some of the most sought after fishes to catch. However, as more and more people go to Arizona to catch fish, there is a need for the state to regulate who can and cannot fish in their waters.
The agency tasked at setting up the rules and regulations regarding sports fishing in Arizona is the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is a state agency that draw rules, implement rules, and provide licenses to those who want to experience the fun and excitement of fishing in the waters of AZ. Regulations are set in place to make sure that the fishing industry will not exploit their natural resources and to guarantee that the next generations will still be able to enjoy the richness of their waters.
Sustainability is essential in the conduct of fishing. Thus, the Arizona Game and Fish Department requires anglers to procure a license before they are allowed to fish in their waters. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about obtaining a fishing license in Arizona, as well as other rules and regulations that you need to follow to protect and maintain sustainability.
Who are the fishing license requirements in Arizona?
Much like any other State, Arizona requires a fishing license from anglers, whether they are a resident or not.
Arizona is one of the States that has the youngest age requirements. Residents or non-residents anglers are required to purchase a license if they are ten-years-old and above and are fishing in any publicly accessible waters in Arizona. Those who are under the age of ten and are blind residents of Arizona are exempted from purchasing the fishing license.
What is the residency requirement for an Arizona license?
As a rule of thumb, an Arizona resident is classified as those who are 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 do not claim residency for any purpose in another state or jurisdiction.
Special considerations are also made for members of the armed forces of the United States. If you are a member of the army and is on active duty and stationed in this state for either permanent or temporary duty, then you are considered a resident of Arizona. Members of the armed forces of the United States on active duty stationed in another state or country and listed the State as their home of record at the time of applying for a license, permit, tag or stamp are considered a resident status. They can be allowed to purchase a resident permit, which is usually less expensive than non-resident licenses.
Different Types of Licenses in Arizona and how much they cost
There are five basic licenses that you can purchase from the state of Arizona, namely: General Fishing License, Combo Hunt & Fish License, Youth Combo Hunt & Fish License, Short-Term Combo Hunt & Fish License. A general license is required for all anglers, both resident and non-resident. The cost is $37 for residents and $55 for non-residents.
If you are also planning to do some hunting and fishing at the same time, then a combo hunt and fish license that costs $57 for residents and $160 for non-residents is the best option. Moreover, if you want to pay for your license daily and if your fishing trip is short-term, then you should go for a short-term combo hunt & fish license that costs $15 per day for residents and $20 per day for non-residents. It is also worthy to note that most licenses, except those for short-term fishing and hunting, are valid for 365 days (a year) following the purchase of the license. Below is the summary of the basic licenses you can procure and the price you can get them for:
LICENSE
RESIDENT FEE
NON-RESIDENT FEE
