Arizona · Fishing license · Age
What age do you need a fishing license in Arizona?
From 10 on, with no upper limit.
The ages that matter
Under 10
No license needed
Children can fish without one. Everything else still applies though — limits, sizes and seasons do not change with age.
10 and up
License required
Carry it with you while fishing.
70 and up
Only on conditions
Arizona has no cheaper licence that goes by age alone. Long-standing residents can apply for a Pioneer License, which carries the privileges of a combination hunting and fishing licence and also covers all community lakes — but it takes being 70 or older and 25 consecutive years of Arizona residency immediately before applying.
How AZGFD words it
AZGFD: "A valid Arizona fishing license is required for Arizona resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in Arizona. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona." Ten is the lowest age of any state on this site — most start at 15 or 16. The general licence is priced for adults 18 and over; between 10 and 17 the department names the $5 youth combination licence.
Quoted rather than paraphrased. With rules that carry a fine, the exact wording is the point.
Optional licenses for children
- Youth combo hunt and fish, ages 10 to 17 — $5. The same $5 for residents and visitors. It is the only product AZGFD names for that age group, and it covers hunting too.
- Youth combo hunt and fish, ages 10 to 17 — $5. Visitors pay the same $5 as residents — the cheapest licence Arizona sells to anyone from out of state.
Other ways to be exempt
Age is one route. AZGFD lists these as well.
- Blind Arizona residents
- Residents 70 and over with 25 or more consecutive years of Arizona residency may apply for a Pioneer License, which also covers all community lakes
- Disabled veterans who have lived in Arizona for at least a year and draw federal compensation for permanent and total service-connected disabilities rated 100 percent — the licence carries all the privileges of a hunt and fish combination licence. A 100 percent Individual Unemployability rating does not qualify
- Groups: a nonprofit or government body caring for people with physical, developmental or mental disabilities can be issued a two-day fishing permit; a nonprofit can take up to 25 young people fishing over two consecutive days under a youth group licence
