Arizona fishing license
Arizona requires a recreational fishing license from age 10. The state licenses freshwater fishing. Arizona Game and Fish Department runs licenses from the date of purchase rather than on a license year: Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase.
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department · Reviewed July 26, 2026
Your likely official license
Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Arizona, the official match is Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident).
- Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident)$20 · Priced per day. May be purchased for any day; the purchaser selects the date(s) of validity at time of purchase, and if purchased for multiple days the days need not be consecutive.
What it covers
- Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident) — freshwater. Non-resident rate of $20/day from the AZGFD Fishing License Fees table; price is per day of validity selected.Limits on this license: Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game and upland game birds.
Required add-ons
No stamp or endorsement is attached to this licence for your residency, age and trip length. Check “You may also need” below for requirements that depend on where and what you fish.
Why this answer
- You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
- Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident) covers the full trip: Priced per day. May be purchased for any day; the purchaser selects the date(s) of validity at time of purchase, and if purchased for multiple days the days need not be consecutive.
Other options you are eligible for
- General Fishing License (Non-resident) — $55 for this trip · Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase; licenses are non-transferable or refundable.Allows the take of all fish species statewide, including at Community Fishing waters. Valid for trout and for simultaneous fishing with two poles or lines.
- Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident) — $160 for this trip · Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase.Also allows take of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals and upland game birds.
Exceptions that may change it
- Arizona's most recently published free fishing day was June 6, 2026 (Arizona Free Fishing Day); check the agency for the next one. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
- Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident): Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game and upland game birds.
- A blind Arizona resident may fish without a license and is entitled to the same privileges as the holder of a valid license (A.R.S. 17-335).
- An Arizona fishing license is not required when fishing private waters, tanks or ponds with the permission of the property owner (R12-4-311).
- This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.
Check current Arizona regulations(external, opens the official state website)Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.
- Source
- Licenses and Regulations - Arizona Game & Fish Department(external, opens the official state website) — Arizona Game and Fish Department
- Validity
- Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase.
- Reviewed
- July 26, 2026
Answers at a glance
Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.
Visiting for a day
Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day
Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident)
Published total: $20
Resident for the season
Adult Arizona resident · freshwater · all year
General Fishing License (Resident)
Published total: $37
Age and residency rules
Who counts as a resident. Only persons who have been a domiciled resident (A.R.S. 17-101A17) of Arizona for the six months immediately preceding the date of application, or members or the spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States who are on active duty and stationed in this state, may obtain resident fishing licenses and permits.
Age-based rules
- Youth under the age of 10 do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona.
License options
| License | Who | Water | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Fishing License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Allows the take of all fish species statewide, including at Community Fishing waters, and of frogs, waterdogs, crayfish and softshell turtles. Valid for trout and for simultaneous fishing with two poles or lines, and on the Arizona-California and Arizona-Nevada boundary waters of the Colorado River. | ResidentA valid fishing or combination license is required for resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older. | freshwater | Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase; licenses are non-transferable or refundable. | $37 |
| General Fishing License (Non-resident)(external, opens the official state website)Allows the take of all fish species statewide, including at Community Fishing waters. Valid for trout and for simultaneous fishing with two poles or lines. | Non-residentA valid fishing or combination license is required for resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older. | freshwater | Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase; licenses are non-transferable or refundable. | $55 |
| Combination Hunt and Fish License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Also allows take of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals and upland game birds. A valid tag or stamp is still required for big game and migratory game birds. | ResidentAdult combination license; the youth version covers ages 10-17. | freshwater | Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase. | $57 |
| Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident)(external, opens the official state website)Also allows take of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals and upland game birds. | Non-residentAdult combination license; the youth version covers ages 10-17. | freshwater | Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase. | $160 |
| Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License (Resident, ages 10-17)(external, opens the official state website)Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals, migratory birds and upland game birds. | ResidentAges 10-17. | freshwater | Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase. | $5 |
| Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident, ages 10-17)(external, opens the official state website)Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game and upland game birds. | Non-residentAges 10-17. | freshwater | Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase. | $5 |
| Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals and upland game birds. | ResidentRequired from age 10. | freshwater | Priced per day. May be purchased for any day; the purchaser selects the date(s) of validity at time of purchase, and if purchased for multiple days the days need not be consecutive. | $15 |
| Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident)(external, opens the official state website)Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game and upland game birds. | Non-residentRequired from age 10. | freshwater | Priced per day. May be purchased for any day; the purchaser selects the date(s) of validity at time of purchase, and if purchased for multiple days the days need not be consecutive. | $20 |
| Pioneer License (complimentary)(external, opens the official state website)Grants all the privileges of a Combination Hunt and Fish License and also authorises the holder to fish in all community lakes. Must be applied for on the AZGFD special-licenses checklist and forms, which are mailed to the appropriate regional office because they require a signature. | Resident70 years of age or older who has been a domiciled Arizona resident for 25 or more consecutive years immediately preceding application. | freshwater | Complimentary licence issued to qualifying pioneers; AZGFD publishes no expiry for it. | No charge |
| Disabled Veteran License (complimentary)(external, opens the official state website)For a veteran who has been a domiciled Arizona resident for one year or more immediately preceding application and who receives compensation from the United States government for permanent service-connected disabilities rated as 100 percent disabling; a VA rating of 100% Individual Unemployability does not qualify. Grants all the privileges of a Hunt/Fish Combination License. Applied for using the AZGFD checklist and forms with VA benefits documentation. | Resident | freshwater | Complimentary licence issued to qualifying disabled veterans; AZGFD publishes no expiry for it. | No charge |
General Fishing License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Allows the take of all fish species statewide, including at Community Fishing waters, and of frogs, waterdogs, crayfish and softshell turtles. Valid for trout and for simultaneous fishing with two poles or lines, and on the Arizona-California and Arizona-Nevada boundary waters of the Colorado River.
- Who
- Resident · A valid fishing or combination license is required for resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase; licenses are non-transferable or refundable.
- Price
- $37
General Fishing License (Non-resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Allows the take of all fish species statewide, including at Community Fishing waters. Valid for trout and for simultaneous fishing with two poles or lines.
- Who
- Non-resident · A valid fishing or combination license is required for resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase; licenses are non-transferable or refundable.
- Price
- $55
Combination Hunt and Fish License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Also allows take of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals and upland game birds. A valid tag or stamp is still required for big game and migratory game birds.
- Who
- Resident · Adult combination license; the youth version covers ages 10-17.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $57
Combination Hunt and Fish License (Non-resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Also allows take of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals and upland game birds.
- Who
- Non-resident · Adult combination license; the youth version covers ages 10-17.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $160
Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals, migratory birds and upland game birds.
- Who
- Resident · Ages 10-17.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $5
Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game and upland game birds.
- Who
- Non-resident · Ages 10-17.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid one year (365 days) from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $5
Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals and upland game birds.
- Who
- Resident · Required from age 10.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Priced per day. May be purchased for any day; the purchaser selects the date(s) of validity at time of purchase, and if purchased for multiple days the days need not be consecutive.
- Price
- $15
Allows take of all fish species statewide including Community Fishing waters, plus small game and upland game birds.
- Who
- Non-resident · Required from age 10.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Priced per day. May be purchased for any day; the purchaser selects the date(s) of validity at time of purchase, and if purchased for multiple days the days need not be consecutive.
- Price
- $20
Pioneer License (complimentary)(external, opens the official state website)
Grants all the privileges of a Combination Hunt and Fish License and also authorises the holder to fish in all community lakes. Must be applied for on the AZGFD special-licenses checklist and forms, which are mailed to the appropriate regional office because they require a signature.
- Who
- Resident · 70 years of age or older who has been a domiciled Arizona resident for 25 or more consecutive years immediately preceding application.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Complimentary licence issued to qualifying pioneers; AZGFD publishes no expiry for it.
- Price
- No charge
Disabled Veteran License (complimentary)(external, opens the official state website)
For a veteran who has been a domiciled Arizona resident for one year or more immediately preceding application and who receives compensation from the United States government for permanent service-connected disabilities rated as 100 percent disabling; a VA rating of 100% Individual Unemployability does not qualify. Grants all the privileges of a Hunt/Fish Combination License. Applied for using the AZGFD checklist and forms with VA benefits documentation.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Complimentary licence issued to qualifying disabled veterans; AZGFD publishes no expiry for it.
- Price
- No charge
Exemptions worth knowing
- A blind Arizona resident may fish without a license and is entitled to the same privileges as the holder of a valid license (A.R.S. 17-335).
- An Arizona fishing license is not required when fishing any public water on free fishing day, which usually takes place on the first Saturday of National Fishing and Boating Week.
- An Arizona fishing license is not required when fishing private waters, tanks or ponds with the permission of the property owner (R12-4-311). Still required: The angler must have the property owner's permission; the exemption does not extend to any public accessible water.
Free fishing days
- Arizona Free Fishing Day — June 6, 2026. Published in the 2025 & 2026 Arizona Fishing Regulations: "The next two year's dates for free fishing day are: June 7, 2025, and June 6, 2026." No license is required to fish any public water on that day.
Where this comes from
- Primary source
- Licenses and Regulations - Arizona Game & Fish Department(external, opens the official state website) — Arizona Game and Fish Department
- Retrieved
- July 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- July 26, 2026
Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.
Nearby states
Licenses are issued state by state — a Arizona license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.