Arizona licenses anglers from the age of ten, the lowest threshold in the country, and its general fishing licence covers every species statewide including the urban community waters that make Phoenix and Tucson genuinely fishable. At thirty-seven dollars for a resident it sits mid-table, and the gap to the non-resident rate is unusually small: fifty-five dollars, against the hundred-plus several western states charge visitors.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Arizona fishing fee
Annual licences are valid one year from the date of purchase.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term combination, per day | Resident | 1 day | $15.00 |
| Short-term combination, per day | Visitor | 1 day | $20.00 |
| Youth combination hunt and fish, ages 10-17 | Resident | Annual | $5.00 |
| Youth combination hunt and fish, ages 10-17 | Visitor | Annual | $5.00 |
| General fishing, annual Covers all fish species statewide, including community waters. | Resident | Annual | $37.00 |
| General fishing, annual | Visitor | Annual | $55.00 |
| Combination hunt and fish | Resident | Annual | $57.00 |
| Combination hunt and fish | Visitor | Annual | $160.00 |
The Pioneer licence is for residents aged 70 or over with 25 consecutive years of Arizona domicile.
Passing through? A visitor pays $20 for one day here, and the annual works out cheaper after 3 days. Compare every state's day licence.
Do you need a fishing licence in Arizona?
Yes, from age 10. Residents and visitors both need one from that birthday. What changes is the price, not the requirement.
$37.00 a year if you live in Arizona, $55.00 if you are visiting.
Who does not need one
- Anglers under 10, the lowest threshold of any state we cover.
- Blind Arizona residents.
- Everyone on the state free fishing day.
Nobody needs a licence on Arizonaβs free fishing days: the dates for this year, and what the day does not waive.
How to buy it
Arizona Game and Fish Department sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices.
Official AZGFD licensing page β
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 18 Arizona waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Lake Havasu β Mohave County
- Roosevelt Lake β Gila County
- Lake Pleasant β Yavapai County
- Big Lake (White Mountains) β Apache County
- Alamo Lake β La Paz County
- Bartlett Lake β Maricopa County
- Saguaro Lake β Maricopa County
- Woods Canyon Lake β Coconino County
- Show Low Lake β Navajo County
- Black River β Apache County
- Fool Hollow Lake β Navajo County
- Salt River β Maricopa County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Arizona?
$37.00 for a resident annual all waters licence and $55.00 for a non-resident. Short-term licences cost less and are listed in full above.
Do you need a fishing license in Arizona?
Yes, from age 10, and it makes no difference whether you live there: residents and visitors both need one, they just pay different prices. $37.00 for a resident annual licence, $55.00 for a visitor. 3 exemptions apply, listed on this page.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Arizona?
From age 10. Anglers under 10 fish without one, though the other rules, bag limits and catch record cards included, still apply to them.
Can I buy a Arizona fishing licence online?
Yes. Arizona Game and Fish Department sells online and through licence agents.
At what age do you need a fishing licence in Arizona?
Ten. Children under ten fish without one, as do blind Arizona residents. It is the lowest threshold of any state we have verified.
Does the Arizona licence cover urban community waters?
Yes. The general fishing licence covers all fish species statewide, community waters included, so there is no separate urban-lake permit to buy.