Last updated: September 7, 2026.
A 1-day Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License in Arizona costs $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. Each licensed day runs from midnight to midnight on the selected date; it is not a rolling 24 hours from the time you buy it. Anglers ages 10-17 can instead buy the $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License, which is usually the better value. A valid Arizona fishing license is generally required for resident and nonresident anglers age 10 or older fishing publicly accessible water, while children under 10 and blind Arizona residents are exempt.
Prices and licensing rules below are based on current Arizona Game and Fish Department information. A license does not override bag limits, size limits, closed waters, species rules, tribal requirements, or other access restrictions.
Quick Answer
- A 1-day Arizona short-term license costs $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents.
- Each selected short-term day is valid from midnight to midnight.
- Anglers ages 10-17 can buy a $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License.
- Children under 10 and blind Arizona residents do not need a state fishing license.
- Licenses are non-transferable and generally non-refundable. Buy online, at an Arizona Game and Fish Department office, or through a licensed dealer.
- Bag, size, species, method, and location rules still apply.
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Who Needs a 1-Day Fishing License in Arizona
If you are age 10 or older and plan to fish publicly accessible Arizona water for a short trip, you generally need a valid fishing or combination license. Children under 10 and blind Arizona residents are exempt from the state fishing-license requirement.
The short-term combination license is designed for brief outings. You must carry the license or commission-approved proof of purchase while fishing and produce it when requested by an authorized officer.
You can buy a license through the Arizona Game and Fish Department, at AZGFD offices, or from licensed dealers statewide.
A state fishing license does not replace any separate access permit or rule imposed by a park, landowner, tribe, or other managing authority.
For adults, the short-term product usually makes the most financial sense for one or two fishing days. If you expect to fish three or more days, compare it with the annual General Fishing License before buying.
Cost Breakdown: Resident vs. Non-Resident Day Licenses
Arizona residents pay $15 per selected day for the Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License. Nonresidents pay $20 per selected day.
The license provides statewide fishing privileges, including Community Fishing waters, subject to all water-specific and species-specific regulations. Although it is a combination license, it does not authorize the take of big game and is not valid for hunt-draw applications.
Resident Daily Cost
The resident short-term rate is $15 per day. Each valid day runs from midnight to midnight on the date selected for the license.
Anglers ages 10-17 should compare that price with the $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License, which is issued to eligible resident and nonresident youth and lasts one year from its applicable start date.
Carry your license or approved proof of purchase whenever you fish. Your license does not replace season, bag, species, gear, or water-specific rules.
Non-Resident Daily Cost
Nonresidents pay $20 per selected day for the Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License.
It provides statewide fishing privileges where fishing is otherwise lawful. Tribal lands and waters can have separate permit and licensing requirements, so check the relevant tribal authority when your destination is on tribal land.
A few practical points to keep in mind:
- Cost difference: $20 per day for a nonresident versus $15 per day for a resident.
- Validity: Each selected day runs from midnight to midnight.
- Compliance: Carry your license or approved proof of purchase while fishing.
When Day Licenses Apply
A short-term license works best for an adult who plans to fish for only one or two days. You can purchase more than one short-term day, and the selected days do not have to be consecutive.
At current prices, three short-term days cost $45 for a resident or $60 for a nonresident. The annual General Fishing License costs $37 for residents and $55 for nonresidents, so the annual fishing-only license becomes cheaper once an adult reaches three paid fishing days.
| Option | Current Cost | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Resident short-term | $15 per selected day | 1-2 adult fishing days |
| Nonresident short-term | $20 per selected day | 1-2 adult fishing days |
| Resident General Fishing | $37 | 3+ fishing days |
| Nonresident General Fishing | $55 | 3+ fishing days |
| Youth Combo, ages 10-17 | $5 | Eligible youth |
For a broader comparison, see our Arizona fishing license cost guide, Arizona non-resident fishing license guide, and Arizona multi-day fishing license guide.
Short-Term Combo Hunt and Fish Options
The Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License costs $15 per day for residents and $20 per day for nonresidents. Despite the product name, it is also Arizona’s standard short-term option for anglers who only want to fish.
You can buy it through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s online portal, at AZGFD offices, or through licensed dealers statewide.
How Long Is an Arizona 1-Day Fishing License Valid?
Each short-term license day is valid for one 24-hour period from midnight to midnight on the selected date. It is not valid for 24 rolling hours beginning at the moment of purchase.
If you need several short-term days, you can select multiple valid dates. Those dates do not have to be consecutive.
- Purchase: Buy the license before fishing on the selected date.
- Coverage: It provides statewide fishing privileges where taking aquatic wildlife is otherwise lawful.
- Limits: It does not authorize big-game take and does not replace stamps, tags, or other permits required for activities outside its fishing privileges.
Who Should Buy the Short-Term License?
Adults who plan to fish Arizona for only one or two selected days are the main candidates. Residents pay $15 per day and nonresidents pay $20 per day.
Youth ages 10-17 can instead buy the $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License, making the youth product the lower-cost choice for eligible anglers.
All normal fishing regulations still apply, including bag limits, seasons, legal methods, closures, and water-specific restrictions.
Age Exemptions and Youth Licensing Rules
Children under 10 can fish publicly accessible Arizona waters without buying a state fishing license. Blind Arizona residents are also exempt.
Anglers ages 10-17 can buy the $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License, whether they are residents or nonresidents. Under current rules, the youth license is issued to a person through age 17 and is valid for one year from its applicable start date. A person buying a new license at age 18 must choose the appropriate adult license.
Key points:
- Ages 0-9: No state fishing license required.
- Ages 10-17: The $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License is normally the best-value license.
- Blind Arizona residents: Exempt from the state fishing-license requirement.
- Free Fishing Day: The license requirement is waived on the designated day for qualifying waters, but other fishing regulations remain in force.
Anyone who is required to hold a license must carry the license or approved proof of purchase while fishing.
Where to Buy a 1-Day Fishing License
Short-term combination licenses are available through AZGFD and licensed dealers statewide.
You can buy through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s online portal, at department offices, or through authorized dealers. Some Walmart sporting-goods counters sell Arizona fishing licenses, but services vary by location, so confirm before making a special trip.
Tips for buying:
- Buy before you begin fishing on the selected license date.
- Confirm that an in-person dealer sells licenses and check its operating hours.
- Have the customer information and payment method needed for the transaction.
- After purchase, keep the license or approved proof of purchase accessible while fishing.
Before your outing, review the current Arizona fishing regulations for the specific water and species you plan to fish.
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License Validity, Refunds, and Transfer Rules
A Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License is tied to the person and selected valid date. Arizona licenses are non-transferable, and purchases generally cannot be returned for a refund or exchange.
A few rules to know:
- Validity: Each short-term day runs from midnight to midnight on the selected date.
- Transfer: Do not loan, sell, or assign your license to another person.
- Refunds: Treat the purchase as final unless AZGFD specifically determines otherwise.
- Proof: Carry the license or commission-approved proof of purchase and produce it when requested.
Special Licenses, Lifetime Options, and Complimentary Permits
Arizona also has annual, youth, lifetime, and special license programs. These options matter mainly if a one-day license is not the best fit for your situation.
Lifetime licenses are available to qualifying Arizona residents. Fees vary by the applicant’s age and license type, and Arizona also offers a $1,500 lifetime benefactor combination option.
Youth combination licenses cost $5 for eligible anglers ages 10-17, whether resident or nonresident.
Pioneer licenses are available to qualifying Arizona residents age 70 or older who meet the state’s long-term residency requirement. Separate programs also exist for qualifying disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.
Active-duty military status does not create one blanket discount for everyone. Qualifying active-duty members stationed in Arizona, or those meeting Arizona’s home-of-record provisions, may qualify to purchase resident licenses.
Free Fishing Days and Private Water Exceptions
Arizona’s 2026 Free Fishing Day was Saturday, June 6. On that day, a state fishing license was not required on qualifying state and Community Fishing Program waters, but bag limits and other fishing regulations still applied. Confirm the next announced Free Fishing Day with AZGFD before planning a future license-free trip.
Private-water exemptions are narrower than simply fishing from privately owned property. A state fishing license is not required when fishing qualifying artificial ponds, tanks, or lakes contained entirely on private land that are not open to the public and not managed by AZGFD.
- Free Fishing Day: The license requirement may be waived on qualifying waters, but all other applicable fishing rules remain in effect.
- Private water: Confirm that the water itself qualifies for the private-water exemption; private ownership of a dock or shoreline alone is not enough.
- Tribal waters: Tribal lands can have separate permits, licensing rules, and regulations.
- No exemption: If no exemption applies, buy the appropriate state license before fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Arizona 1-Day Fishing License Valid for 24 Hours From Purchase?
No. A Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License is valid from midnight to midnight on the selected date. It is not a rolling 24-hour license beginning at the time of purchase.
Do I Need a Fishing License for Catch-and-Release Only?
Yes, unless an exemption applies. Arizona’s definition of taking wildlife includes fishing, so catch-and-release fishing still requires the appropriate license for an angler who is otherwise required to be licensed.
Can I Buy an Arizona Fishing License for Someone Else as a Gift?
AZGFD publishes guidance showing that some licenses can be purchased for another person, including annual combination and youth licenses. Gift and account options can differ by license product, so check the current AZGFD purchase system when buying for someone else.
Are There Discounts for Veterans or Active Military?
There is not one blanket discount for every veteran or active-duty member. Qualifying active-duty personnel may be eligible for Arizona resident pricing. Separate programs provide benefits to eligible disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.
Do I Need a License When Fishing From a Private Dock?
A private dock does not automatically create a license exemption. If the dock is on publicly accessible Arizona water, anglers who are otherwise required to be licensed generally still need a valid license. The private-water exemption applies to qualifying artificial ponds, tanks, or lakes entirely on private land that are not open to the public and are not managed by AZGFD.
What Do I Need to Carry While Fishing?
Carry your valid license or commission-approved proof of purchase and produce it when requested by an authorized officer. The licensing sources reviewed do not establish a general rule requiring every angler to carry a separate government-issued photo ID solely because they are fishing, although identification may be required during some purchase or eligibility transactions.
Conclusion
For an adult fishing Arizona for one or two days, the Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License costs $15 per selected day for residents and $20 per selected day for nonresidents. Each selected day runs from midnight to midnight. Youth ages 10-17 can use the $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License, while children under 10 and blind Arizona residents are exempt from the state fishing-license requirement.
If you expect to fish three or more days, compare the daily total with the $37 resident or $55 nonresident General Fishing License before buying. Purchase the correct license before fishing, keep proof with you, and check the current rules for your specific water.
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