Fishing in Arizona (United States) ➡️️️️ Explore fishing spots and reports

Q: 📜 What are the fishing regulations in Arizona, United States?

Fishing regulations in Arizona, United States vary by region, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing. To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the Fishbrain app to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

Fishing in Arizona requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Residents and non-residents can purchase annual or short-term licenses online or at authorized retailers across the state.

In Arizona, no fishing license is required for anglers under 10 or residents 70 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license
Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations
Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Latest Arizona fishing reports

Channel catfish

Chaparral Lake

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Veterans Oasis Lake

length · weight

Grass carp

Consolidated Canal East Branch

32 in · 15 lb

Channel catfish

Gilbert Regional Park

length · weight

Grass carp

Consolidated Canal East Branch

27 in · 9 lb

Grass carp

Consolidated Canal East Branch

27 in · 9 lb

Channel catfish

Water Ranch Lake

length · weight

Grass carp

Consolidated Canal East Branch

26 in · 8 lb

Common carp

Rio Vista Pond

length · weight

Channel catfish

Mansel Carter Oasis Park

length · weight

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Fishing regulations in Arizona

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Arizona can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Smallmouth bass as of July 18th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Select species

Smallmouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

Special gear

Aggregate

Additional information

No size limit.These regulations apply statewide unless Site-Specific Special Regulations apply to that body of water. Click here to see Site-Specific Special Regulations Statewide includes all state and federal refuges, parks and monuments; open areas do not include any area closed to hunting, fishing, or trapping.CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY:Cluff Ranch PondsCrystal Gardens Water Treatment Facility (city of Avondale)The Pond at Town Hall (town of Gilbert)Water Ranch Park LakeCATCH AND RELEASE artificial flies and lures only:Lower GoldwaterUNLIMITED — NO LIMIT FOR EITHER LARGEMOUTH OR SMALLMOUTH BASS:Bear Canyon LakeBeaver Creek (Wet and Dry)Black Canyon LakeCC Cragin Reservoir (Blue Ridge)Chevelon Canyon LakeColorado River-Glen Canyon Dam to Separation CanyonEast Verde RiverHorseshoe LakeKnoll LakeLong Tom LakeOak CreekUpper Salt River (Roosevelt Diversion Dam upstream to the Reservation Boundary)Verde River and tributariesVirgin RiverWest Clear CreekWillow Springs LakeWoods Canyon Lake1 BASS LIMIT, MINIMUM SIZE = 13-INCHES:Alamar Park PondBonsall PondCouncil Avenue PondDave White Regional Park PondDiscovery Park PondsEastmark Park PondEldorado Park PondEvelyn Hallman PondFestival Fields PondFreestone PondFriendship PondGilbert Regional Park PondGoldwater LakeGraham County Fairgrounds PondGreenfield PondHeroes Regional Park PondMcQueen PondPacana Park PondPacific Avenue Athletic Complex PondPapago Park PondsPatterson Ponds (St. Johns)Rio Vista Park PondRoadrunner Park PondShow Low Creek MeadowSteele Indian School Park PondWest Wetlands Pond1 BASS LIMIT: (no size limit): Community fishing ponds: bag limit = 1 bass (largemouth or smallmouth)2 BASS LIMIT:Dead Horse Ranch State Park LagoonsCommunity fishing lakes: bag limit = 2 bass (largemouth or smallmouth)2 BASS LIMIT, MINIMUM SIZE = 13-INCHES:Alvord LakeCataract LakeCity ReservoirChaparral Park LakeCopper Sky LakeCortez Park LakeDesert Breeze Park LakeDesert West Park LakeDogtown LakeEncanto Park LakeFain LakeFortuna LakeFrancis Short PondGreen Valley Park LakesKaibab LakeKennedy Park LakeKiwanis Park LakeLakeside LakeMansel Carter Oasis LakePaloma Park LakePioneer LakeRed Mountain Park LakeRedondo LakeRiverview Park LakeSanta Fe ReservoirSilverbell LakeSahuarita Park LakeStone DamSundance Park LakeSurprise Park LakeTempe Town LakeVeterans Oasis Park LakeWhitehorse LakeYavapai Lakes6 BASS LIMIT, MINIMUM SIZE = 13-INCHES:Topock MarshColorado River-Davis Dam to the International Boundary20 SMALLMOUTH BASS, 5 LARGEMOUTH BASS LIMIT:Lake Powell

Synonyms

Micropterus dolomieui

Regulations for

33°26′54.4″N 112°04′25.8″W

Regulations in the map

FAQ about Arizona fishing

📜 What are the fishing regulations in Arizona, United States?

Fishing regulations in Arizona, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in Arizona, United States?

Some of the most popular species anglers target in Arizona, United States include Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, and Channel catfish. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.

🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in Arizona, United States?

Some of the most popular fishing spots in Arizona, United States include Salt River, Tres Rios Wetlands, and Lakeside Park Lake. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.

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