Arizona trout stamp cost: $0. Arizona no longer requires or sells a separate trout stamp. Trout privileges are included with valid fishing and combination licenses. For most adults, the annual General Fishing License costs $37 for residents and $55 for non-residents; youth ages 10–17 can use the $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License. This guide explains the current license choices, exemptions, purchase options, and trout rules to check before you fish.
Last updated: August 11, 2026 — current license fees and the 2025–2026 Arizona fishing regulations rechecked.
Quick Answer
Arizona does not require or sell a separate trout stamp. Trout privileges are included with fishing and combination licenses. A general fishing license costs $37 for residents and $55 for non-residents, while a youth combination license for ages 10–17 costs $5. Always check the regulations for the specific water before fishing.
Key Takeaways
- The current cost of a separate Arizona trout stamp is $0 because the stamp is no longer required or available.
- Trout privileges are included with general fishing, combination, youth, and short-term fishing licenses.
- Annual general fishing licenses cost $37 for residents and $55 for non-residents.
- Anglers age 10 or older generally need a valid license when fishing publicly accessible Arizona waters.
- Special rules for individual trout waters can limit seasons, tackle, harvest, and the number of trout you may keep.
Current Arizona Trout Stamp Cost
A separate Arizona trout stamp does not have a current purchase price because it is no longer sold or required. The Arizona statewide fishing regulations state that the old trout stamp and several other special-use stamps are no longer available.
Instead, the privilege to fish for trout is included with every current Arizona license that allows fishing. This includes annual general fishing licenses, annual combination hunt-and-fish licenses, youth combination licenses, and short-term combination licenses.
Warning: Do not pay a third party for an “Arizona trout stamp” or rely on an old fee chart that says one is required. Use the current Arizona Game and Fish Department license system and regulations.
| License | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost | Trout Included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Fishing | $37 | $55 | Yes |
| Combination Hunt and Fish | $57 | $160 | Yes |
| Youth Combination, Ages 10–17 | $5 | $5 | Yes |
| Short-Term Combination | $15 per day | $20 per day | Yes |
These fees come from the current Arizona fishing license and fee structure. Annual licenses are valid for one year from the purchase date. When buying a short-term license, you select the valid fishing dates, and multiple dates do not have to be consecutive.
What Changed With Arizona Trout Stamps?
Arizona previously sold separate special-use stamps for privileges such as trout fishing and using two fishing poles. Beginning January 1, 2014, Arizona bundled trout, two-pole, and other fishing privileges into its redesigned fishing licenses. The archived 2014 Arizona fishing regulations document that change.
The old $15.75 resident trout-stamp fee is historical, not a current add-on. Immediately before the 2014 restructuring, residents could pay $15.75 for a separate trout stamp; today, trout privileges are included with a valid fishing or combination license, so there is no separate trout-stamp charge to add at checkout.
Previous Pricing and License Structure
Under the older system, an angler could need a base fishing license plus one or more additional stamps. That system created separate transactions and made it easier to overlook a required privilege.
References to an Arizona trout stamp may still appear in old articles, archived regulations, legacy license records, or statutes discussing lifetime credentials. They do not mean that a current annual trout stamp must be purchased.
Current Pricing Structure
Under the current system, one valid fishing or combination license provides the authority to fish for trout and other legal fish species where fishing is open. Current fishing and combination licenses also include the privilege to use two poles or lines simultaneously. Water-specific seasons, tackle restrictions, closures, and bag limits still apply.
The legal requirement is a valid Arizona fishing or combination license, not a separate trout stamp.
Resident and Non-Resident Trout Fishing Costs
Residents and non-residents pay different prices for adult fishing licenses, but neither group pays a separate trout-stamp fee.
For fishing only, residents pay $37 for an annual General Fishing License and non-residents pay $55. Each annual license is valid for 365 days from the purchase date. Short-term combination licenses cost $15 per selected day for residents and $20 per selected day for non-residents.
| Fishing Trip Length | Resident | Non-Resident | Lower-Cost Choice for Fishing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $15 short-term | $20 short-term | Short-term license |
| 2 days | $30 short-term | $40 short-term | Short-term license |
| 3 days | $45 short-term or $37 annual | $60 short-term or $55 annual | Annual general fishing license |
Pro Tip: For a three-day fishing trip, the annual general fishing license is cheaper than buying three short-term days for both residents and non-residents. The annual license also remains valid for one year from its purchase date.
For license purposes, Arizona generally requires a person to have been domiciled in the state for the six months immediately before applying and not claim resident privileges elsewhere. Separate rules can apply to qualifying active-duty military members and certain family members. Check the official residency requirements before selecting a resident license if your status is uncertain.
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How License Purchases Support Arizona Fisheries
Although Arizona no longer collects revenue from a separate trout stamp, fishing-license purchases help fund the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s wildlife and fisheries work.
Arizona fisheries programs include hatchery operations, fish stocking, habitat work, biological monitoring, public access, education, and enforcement. Funding comes from more than one source; AZGFD notes that federal Sport Fish Restoration grants support a significant portion of fish-stocking and hatchery operations. See the department’s fisheries management information for current program details.
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Fisheries and Conservation Benefits
| Program Area | What It Provides | Benefit to Anglers |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Stocking | Catchable trout placed in selected lakes and streams | More seasonal fishing opportunities |
| Habitat Management | Work on aquatic habitat, water access, and fish recovery | Healthier and more resilient fisheries |
| Biological Monitoring | Population surveys and regulation reviews | Rules based on current fishery conditions |
| Community Fishing | Stocked urban and community waters | Convenient fishing near populated areas |
| Education and Enforcement | Fishing instruction, regulation information, and resource protection | Safer and more responsible recreation |
Access to Trout Fishing
A valid fishing license lets you pursue trout in Arizona waters that are open to angling. It does not guarantee that every trout water follows the same season, tackle, harvest, or bag-limit rules.
The general statewide daily bag limit is four trout in any combination, and the general possession limit is twice the daily bag limit unless a special rule says otherwise. Individual waters may have stricter limits, catch-and-release rules, seasonal closures, or artificial-fly-and-lure requirements. If you catch and keep your full daily trout limit, you may not continue fishing for trout that day. Review the special trout regulations before each trip.
Note: A valid license gives you the privilege to fish, but the regulations for a particular lake, river, or stream determine what tackle you may use and whether trout may be kept.
How to Buy an Arizona Fishing License
You do not need to locate or add a trout stamp during checkout. Choose the fishing license that fits your age, residency, trip length, and whether you also want hunting privileges.
Arizona fishing licenses are available through these channels:
- Online through the Arizona Game and Fish Department licensing system
- Authorized license dealers across Arizona
- Arizona Game and Fish Department offices
| License Type | Cost | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Resident General Fishing | $37 | Residents who want one year of fishing access |
| Non-Resident General Fishing | $55 | Visitors fishing for three or more days or returning within a year |
| Youth Combination, Ages 10–17 | $5 | Resident or non-resident youth |
| Resident Short-Term Combination | $15 per selected day | One- or two-day resident trips |
| Non-Resident Short-Term Combination | $20 per selected day | One- or two-day visitor trips |
Keep your valid license in your possession while fishing. You can carry a printed license, and AZGFD’s Arizona E-Tag app can store and display hunting, fishing, and combination licenses. After a license has synced to the app, it can be viewed without cellular service, which is useful before traveling to remote trout water.
Arizona Fishing License Exemptions
Because no one needs a separate trout stamp, there are no current trout-stamp exemptions to apply for. Arizona does, however, recognize several situations in which a state fishing license is not required.
- Children under age 10: They may fish Arizona public waters without purchasing a state fishing license.
- Blind Arizona residents: They do not need to purchase a state fishing license.
- Qualifying private waters: A state fishing license is not required for artificial ponds, tanks, or lakes contained entirely on private land when the water is not open to the public and is not managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
- Free Fishing Day: Arizona waives the state fishing-license requirement on the designated annual Free Fishing Day. In 2026, Free Fishing Day was June 6.
Warning: A license-free situation does not cancel bag limits, tackle rules, closures, protected-species rules, or other fishing regulations. Private, federal, and tribal lands may also have separate access or permit requirements.
Anglers should confirm the Free Fishing Day date each year rather than relying on an older calendar. The waiver applies to the state license requirement for that day; bag limits and other fishing rules still apply, and separate rules can apply on private, tribal, and other specially managed waters.
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Community Fishing Opportunities
Arizona’s Community Fishing Program includes more than 50 waters in cities and towns across the state. Many are close to residential areas and are seasonally stocked with species such as rainbow trout, channel catfish, and bluegill.
The current Arizona license table does not list a separate Community Fishing License. A General Fishing, Combination Hunt and Fish, Youth Combination Hunt and Fish, or Short-Term Combination Hunt and Fish License provides fishing privileges at Community Fishing Program waters.
Under the statewide Community Fishing Program limits, the daily trout limit is four at community lakes and two at community ponds, unless a special regulation says otherwise. Local park rules can also apply, so check the posted signs and the current Arizona bag-limit table before keeping fish.
Trout Rules to Check Before Fishing
A valid license is only the first part of fishing legally. Before visiting an Arizona trout lake or stream, confirm the following:
- Bag limit: The general statewide trout limit is four in any combination, but a special regulation may reduce the limit or require catch-and-release.
- Season: Some streams have seasonal closures designed to protect native trout or spawning fish.
- Tackle: Certain waters allow only artificial flies and lures or require single-point barbless hooks.
- Bait: Live-bait rules depend on the species and location. Live baitfish or crayfish captured onsite may not be transported away and must be used on the body of water where they were captured.
- Harvest: Once you keep a daily bag limit, you may not continue fishing for that species that day.
- Stocking: Trout-stocking schedules are tentative and may change because of weather, water quality, or site conditions.
Pro Tip: Use Fish & Boat AZ to filter waters by trout species, stocking status, region, and special regulations. Then check the current stocking schedule before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a trout stamp in Arizona?
No. Arizona no longer requires or sells a separate trout stamp. A valid Arizona fishing or combination license includes trout-fishing privileges, subject to the rules for the specific water.
How much does it cost to fish for trout in Arizona?
There is no separate trout-stamp fee. The annual General Fishing License costs $37 for residents and $55 for non-residents. Youth ages 10–17 can buy a $5 Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License, and short-term combination licenses cost $15 per selected day for residents or $20 per selected day for non-residents.
Do non-residents need an Arizona trout stamp?
No. Non-residents need the appropriate Arizona fishing or combination license, but they do not need a separate trout stamp. The annual non-resident General Fishing License costs $55.
Can I fish with two poles in Arizona without a two-pole stamp?
Yes. The former two-pole stamp is no longer required or available. Current Arizona fishing and combination licenses include the privilege to fish with two poles or lines simultaneously, subject to applicable fishing rules.
What age requires an Arizona fishing license?
Resident and non-resident anglers age 10 or older generally need a valid Arizona fishing or combination license to fish publicly accessible waters. Children under age 10 and blind Arizona residents are exempt from the state fishing-license requirement.
Is an Arizona fishing license valid for 365 days?
Yes. Arizona annual fishing and combination licenses are valid for 365 days from the purchase date. Short-term combination licenses are valid only on the selected dates.
What is the Arizona trout bag limit?
The general statewide daily bag limit is four trout in any combination, but special regulations can set a lower limit or require catch-and-release. Community Fishing Program ponds and other specially regulated waters may have different limits, so check the rule for the exact water before keeping trout.
Which license is cheapest for a short Arizona trout trip?
For one or two selected fishing days, the short-term combination license is cheaper. For three days, the $37 resident or $55 non-resident annual General Fishing License costs less than buying three short-term days.
Conclusion
The current Arizona trout stamp cost is $0 because the separate stamp is no longer required or sold. Most adult anglers instead need a valid fishing or combination license: $37 for an annual resident General Fishing License or $55 for a non-resident license. Youth ages 10–17 can use the $5 youth combination license, while one- or two-day anglers may spend less with a short-term combination license.
Before you fish, carry proof of your valid license and check the rule for the exact lake, river, or stream. Special bag limits, catch-and-release requirements, seasonal closures, bait restrictions, and tackle rules can override the statewide defaults.
Related Arizona Fishing License Guides
- Arizona Resident Fishing License Cost
- Arizona Non-Resident Fishing License Cost
- Arizona Day Fishing License Cost
Sources
- Arizona Game and Fish Department: Licenses and Regulations — current license requirements, fees, age rules, purchase options, and validity
- Arizona Fishing License and Fee Structure — resident, non-resident, youth, combination, short-term, and exemption information
- Arizona General Statewide Fishing Regulations — discontinued stamps, two-pole privileges, bag and possession rules, and bait restrictions
- Arizona Special Regulations by Species — water-specific trout seasons, tackle restrictions, and harvest rules
- Arizona Game and Fish Department 2014 Fishing Regulations — archived record of the 2014 license restructuring that bundled trout and other privileges
- Arizona Community Fishing Program — participating waters, stocked species, and location information
- Arizona Fish Stocking Schedule — current stocking information and scheduling caveats
