Is a California Fishing License Valid in Arizona in 2024?

Anglers often wonder if their California fishing license is valid in Arizona, especially when fishing popular border waters like the Colorado River. The answer is a bit complicated, as it depends on the specific location and regulations of each state.

California-Arizona Border Waters

The good news for anglers is that California and Arizona have entered into a reciprocal agreement for fishing licenses along their shared border. With a valid California sport fishing license or an Arizona sport fishing license, you can fish from either shore or from a boat in the portion of the Colorado River that forms the California-Arizona boundary, as well as connected adjacent waters that serve as the boundary between the two states.

Under this agreement, anglers holding California sport fishing licenses must abide by California fishing regulations, while anglers holding Arizona sport fishing licenses must follow Arizona regulations. This reciprocity agreement applies to the Colorado River and connected waters, but it does not extend to canals, drains, or ditches used to transport water for irrigation, municipal, or domestic purposes.

Fishing in Arizona with a California License

If you have a valid California fishing license, you can use it to fish in the following Arizona waters along the California border:

All waters of the Colorado River south of the Nevada-Arizona boundary
Impounded waters (e.g., Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu) that form mutual boundaries between Arizona and California

To legally fish these waters with your California license, you must also have a California-Colorado River special use permit, which can be obtained by paying a fee of up to $4. This special use permit, when accompanied by your California fishing license, allows you to fish in any portion of the designated waters and enter the waters from any point.

It’s important to note that shore fishing does not require a Colorado River special use permit, as long as you remain on the shore of the state from which you hold a valid license and do not embark on the water.

Fishing in California with an Arizona License

The reciprocal agreement also works in reverse. If you have a valid Arizona fishing license, you can use it to fish in the same designated border waters along the California-Arizona border.

However, to legally fish these waters with your Arizona license, you must have an Arizona-Colorado River special use permit, which can be obtained by paying a fee. This special use permit, when accompanied by your Arizona fishing license, allows you to fish in any portion of the designated waters and enter the waters from any point.

Fishing Licenses and Regulations

It’s important to note that fishing licenses and regulations vary between California and Arizona. In California, anglers age 16 and older must have a valid sport fishing license, which covers both freshwater and saltwater fishing. The license is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

In Arizona, a valid fishing or combination license is required for resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in the state. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents are exempt from this requirement.

When fishing in the designated border waters, anglers must follow the regulations of the state in which their fishing license was issued. For example, if you have a California sport fishing license, you must abide by California fishing regulations when fishing in the designated border waters.

Where to Buy Licenses and Permits

Both California and Arizona offer various options for purchasing fishing licenses and permits:

California sport fishing licenses can be purchased online, from CDFW license sales offices, Walmart, Big 5 Sporting Goods, local tackle shops, and other licensed retailers.
Arizona fishing licenses can be purchased from 150 license dealers statewide, including many local sporting goods stores, bait and tackle shops, major retailers, and convenience stores, as well as online and at Arizona Game and Fish Department offices.
Colorado River special use permits for both California and Arizona can be obtained by paying the required fee, which is set by each state’s wildlife commission.

In conclusion, while a California fishing license is not valid in most of Arizona, it can be used to fish in designated border waters along the California-Arizona border, as long as you also have a California-Colorado River special use permit. Similarly, an Arizona fishing license can be used in these same border waters with an Arizona-Colorado River special use permit. Anglers must follow the regulations of the state that issued their fishing license when fishing in these designated waters.