Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License: 2026 Cost, Online Buying, Age Rules and Visitor Tips
Arizona makes visitor fishing fairly simple, but you still need the right license before casting at public lakes, rivers, reservoirs, community waters or the Arizona shoreline of major Colorado River waters. This guide explains Arizona non-resident fishing license cost in 2026, how to buy online through the official AZGFD license portal, short-term options, youth rules, license validity, reprint help, exemptions and rule checks for popular waters.
Use these shortcuts before buying. Most Arizona visitor mistakes happen when anglers buy the wrong short-term license, forget that youth age 10 and older need coverage, assume private-water rules apply to public waters, or fish boundary waters without checking special rules.
How Much Is an Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License in 2026?
The Arizona nonresident General Fishing license costs $55. It is valid for one year from the date of purchase and is valid statewide, including Commission-designated community fishing waters.
For short trips, Arizona lists the nonresident Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish license at $20 per day. Arizona also lists the nonresident Combo Hunt and Fish license at $160 and the Youth Combo Hunt and Fish license for ages 10-17 at $5.
Arizona Nonresident Fishing License Quick Facts for 2026
Arizona requires resident and nonresident anglers age 10 or older to have a valid fishing or combination license when fishing publicly accessible waters. All required licenses must be in possession while fishing.
What This Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License Guide Covers
Official Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License Links You Should Use First
Use Arizona Game and Fish Department pages before paying. These official resources explain current license prices, online buying, reprint options, fishing regulations, community waters and special license details.
💳 AZGFD License Portal
Official Arizona Game and Fish Department portal to purchase and reprint licenses.
Open AZGFD License Portal🎣 Fishing Licenses and Regulations
Official AZGFD page explaining who needs a fishing license and where rules apply.
Open License Rules📘 2025-2026 Fishing Regulations
Official Arizona fishing regulations booklet for license information and fishing rules.
Open Regulation PDF🏹 Combo Hunt and Fish Details
Official AZGFD page with combo, youth combo and short-term combo pricing.
Open Combo License Info📘 Arizona Fishing License Guide
Need the broader Arizona fishing license guide with resident and visitor details?
Read Arizona Guide💵 Fishing License Cost Guide
Compare fishing license costs across states, nonresident fees and short-term options.
Compare CostsArizona Non-Resident Fishing License Cost in 2026
Arizona keeps its visitor fishing license table short. Most nonresident anglers choose either the General Fishing license or the Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish license.
| Arizona license | Who it fits | Nonresident cost | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Fishing | Visitors fishing public Arizona waters for more than a short trip | $55 | Valid one year from purchase and valid statewide, including community waters. |
| Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish | Visitors fishing 1 or 2 days | $20 per day | Allows fishing statewide and small game-style hunting privileges, but is not valid when applying for the draw. |
| Combo Hunt and Fish | Visitors who need annual fishing plus hunting privileges | $160 | Includes fishing statewide, including community waters, and certain hunting privileges. Big game tags and migratory bird stamps are separate. |
| Youth Combo Hunt and Fish | Youth ages 10-17 | $5 | Available only to youth ages 10-17 and includes fishing statewide, including community waters. |
How to Buy an Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License Online
The official online route is the Arizona Game and Fish Department license portal. The AZGFD portal includes options to purchase a license and reprint a license.
Open the official AZGFD license portal
Use license.azgfd.com or a link from AZGFD before entering personal or payment details.
Choose nonresident status
Select the correct residency. Nonresident General Fishing is $55, while Arizona resident General Fishing is $37.
Select General Fishing or short-term combo
Choose General Fishing for full-year visitor fishing. Choose Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish if you only need a day or two.
Enter the angler’s correct details
Use the angler’s legal name and date of birth. Youth ages 10-17 should use the youth combo product when appropriate.
Save proof immediately
All required licenses must be in possession while fishing. Save a digital copy and print a backup if you will fish remote waters.
Check the water-specific rules
Review daily limits, possession limits, legal methods, special waters and Colorado River rules before fishing.
How to Reprint or Show Proof of an Arizona Fishing License
The AZGFD license portal includes a reprint option. If you bought online and lost your paper copy, use the official license system to reprint or retrieve proof before fishing again.
Arizona regulations say all required licenses must be in possession while engaging in fishing. That means you should carry license proof in a form you can show when asked.
Before fishing, check:
- Your name and date of birth are correct.
- Your license says nonresident if you are visiting from out of state.
- Your license is still within one year from purchase.
- Your short-term license covers the exact day or days you will fish.
- Your digital copy opens without internet service.
- You printed a backup if fishing remote areas.
Who Needs an Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License?
Arizona requires a valid fishing or combination license for resident and nonresident anglers age 10 or older who fish any publicly accessible water in Arizona.
Youth under age 10 and blind residents do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona. Nonresident youth ages 10-17 can use the $5 Youth Combo Hunt and Fish license.
Need a valid fishing or combination license for publicly accessible Arizona waters.
Do not need a state fishing license, but must follow all regulations and limits.
Can use the $5 Youth Combo Hunt and Fish license.
Arizona lists blind residents as not needing to purchase a state fishing license.
Arizona Short-Term Nonresident Fishing License: When $20 Per Day Makes Sense
Arizona’s short-term visitor option is the Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish license. For nonresidents, it costs $20 per day. It allows fishing statewide, including community fishing waters.
The short-term combo also includes hunting of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals and upland game birds, but a valid tag is required for big game and a valid stamp is required for migratory birds. It is not valid when applying for the draw.
The $20/day short-term combo is usually the cheapest option.
Two days usually cost $40, still lower than the $55 annual General Fishing license.
The $55 General Fishing license usually becomes the better value.
Buy the $55 annual license if you may return within one year from purchase.
Arizona Nonresident Youth Fishing License Rules
Arizona youth under age 10 do not need a state fishing license. Youth ages 10-17 can buy the Youth Combo Hunt and Fish license for $5, whether resident or nonresident.
The youth combo license allows fishing statewide, including community fishing waters, and hunting of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals and upland game birds. Big game tags and migratory bird stamps remain separate where required.
Does an Arizona Nonresident Fishing License Cover Community Fishing Waters?
Yes. Arizona’s General Fishing license and Combo Hunt and Fish license are valid statewide, including Commission-designated community fishing waters.
This matters for visitors fishing city lakes, park ponds and stocked community waters near Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale and other urban areas. Always check the posted rule for the specific community water before keeping fish.
For community waters, check:
- Daily bag limits for trout, catfish, bass or sunfish.
- Whether bait or method restrictions apply.
- Park hours and local city rules.
- Whether the water was recently stocked.
- Whether catch-and-release rules apply.
- Whether kids or adults in your group need licenses.
Arizona Nonresident Fishing License and Colorado River Waters
Arizona fishing regulations say the General Fishing license is valid statewide, including Mittry Lake, Topock Marsh, the Arizona shoreline of Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu, and Commission-designated community waters.
Boundary waters can have extra legal details depending on whether you fish from Arizona, California, Nevada or other shorelines. If you will fish the Colorado River, Lake Havasu, Lake Mead or Lake Mohave from a non-Arizona shoreline, check the other state’s license and special-use rules before fishing.
Arizona Fishing Rules Nonresidents Must Check After Buying
A license gives you permission to fish under that license type, but it does not replace Arizona’s fishing regulations. Arizona licenses are valid for the take of all aquatic wildlife, including legal fish species, crayfish, frogs, waterdogs and softshell turtles, but rules and open areas still matter.
Check limits for trout, bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, pike, walleye and other species.
Possession rules can differ from daily limits, especially on multi-day trips.
Some waters have special seasons, limits, methods or catch-and-release rules.
Frogs, crayfish, waterdogs and softshell turtles have separate commission order rules.
Arizona license rules differ for private waters, tanks or ponds with owner permission.
Arizona lists June 6, 2026 as the next free fishing day, but all other regulations still apply.
Where Else Can Nonresidents Buy an Arizona Fishing License?
Arizona licenses are available online, at Department offices and at license dealers. Online is usually easiest because you can buy before the trip and reprint proof if needed.
💳 AZGFD License Portal
Best option for nonresidents who want to purchase or reprint license proof before fishing.
Open License Portal🎣 Fishing Licenses and Regulations
Use AZGFD’s official page to confirm who needs a license and which rules apply.
Open AZGFD Rules📍 Fishing License Near Me
Need a local license dealer, outdoor store or in-person buying option?
Find Local OptionsCommon Arizona Nonresident Fishing License Mistakes
Most Arizona fishing license problems are easy to avoid if you choose the right license length, keep proof with you and check the exact water before fishing.
The $55 annual nonresident General Fishing license usually beats $20/day if you fish 3 or more days.
Youth under 10 are exempt, but youth ages 10-17 need valid coverage and can use the $5 youth combo license.
Arizona requires all required licenses to be in possession while fishing.
Colorado River boundary waters may involve other states’ shoreline rules.
Community fishing waters can have posted rules and stocking-specific limits.
Arizona does not list a separate trout stamp for normal recreational fishing, but trout regulations still apply.
More Fishing License Help Before You Buy
If you are comparing Arizona with nearby states, checking nonresident prices, or trying to decide between annual and short-term licenses, these related guides can help.
📘 Arizona Fishing License Guide
Read the broader Arizona license guide for resident, nonresident, online buying and fishing rule details.
Read Arizona Guide💵 How Much Is a Fishing License?
Compare fishing license costs across states, resident, nonresident and short-term options.
Compare Costs📍 Fishing License Near Me
Find local license dealers, state offices and online purchase routes.
Find Local Buying HelpHow This Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License Guide Was Checked
This guide was prepared from official Arizona Game and Fish Department license and regulation pages, the AZGFD license portal, official combo license information and Arizona 2025-2026 fishing regulation materials. The goal is to explain visitor license choices in plain language, not replace AZGFD checkout or enforcement guidance.
- Nonresident General Fishing license cost.
- Nonresident Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish license cost.
- Nonresident Combo Hunt and Fish license cost.
- Youth Combo Hunt and Fish license cost and age range.
- Age 10+ license requirement for public waters.
- Youth under age 10 and blind resident exemption notes.
- One-year validity from date of purchase.
- License possession requirement while fishing.
- Statewide and community fishing water coverage.
- June 6, 2026 free fishing day listing.
Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License FAQs: Cost, Online Buying, Age Rules and 2026 Requirements
How much is an Arizona non-resident fishing license in 2026?
The Arizona nonresident General Fishing license costs $55. The nonresident Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish license costs $20 per day.
Can I buy an Arizona nonresident fishing license online?
Yes. You can buy an Arizona nonresident fishing license online through the official Arizona Game and Fish Department license portal at license.azgfd.com.
Who needs an Arizona fishing license?
Resident and nonresident anglers age 10 or older need a valid fishing or combination license when fishing any publicly accessible water in Arizona.
Do kids need an Arizona nonresident fishing license?
Youth under age 10 do not need a state fishing license. Youth ages 10-17 can use the Youth Combo Hunt and Fish license, which costs $5 for residents and nonresidents.
How long is an Arizona nonresident fishing license valid?
The Arizona General Fishing license is valid for one year from the date of purchase. Short-term combo licenses are valid by the day purchased.
Does an Arizona fishing license cover community lakes?
Yes. Arizona General Fishing and Combo Hunt and Fish licenses are valid statewide, including Commission-designated community fishing waters.
Is there an Arizona trout stamp?
Arizona does not list a separate trout stamp for normal recreational fishing. The General Fishing license is valid for taking all aquatic wildlife, but trout limits and water-specific rules still apply.
Can I reprint my Arizona fishing license?
Yes. The official AZGFD license portal includes a reprint license option. Reprint before fishing if you lose your proof.
When is Arizona free fishing day in 2026?
Arizona fishing regulations list June 6, 2026 as the next free fishing day. All other fishing regulations still apply.
Does an Arizona license work on Lake Havasu or Colorado River waters?
Arizona regulations include the Arizona shoreline of Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu under statewide license coverage. If you fish from another state’s shoreline, check that state’s rules before fishing.
Final Summary: Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License Cost and Rules in 2026
For 2026, Arizona’s nonresident General Fishing license costs $55 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase. The nonresident Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish license costs $20 per day, which can be better for a 1-day or 2-day trip.
Nonresident anglers age 10 or older need a valid fishing or combination license to fish publicly accessible Arizona waters. Youth under age 10 are exempt, and youth ages 10-17 can use the $5 Youth Combo Hunt and Fish license.
Buy online through the official AZGFD license portal, keep proof in possession while fishing, and check the current 2025-2026 Arizona fishing regulations for the exact water, species and method you plan to use.