If you’re 10–17, you’ll pay just $5 for a 365‑day Junior Angler combination hunt‑and‑fish permit in Arizona; children under 10 fish free year‑round. Licenses apply to residents and non‑residents, expire exactly one year from purchase, and must be renewed for continued coverage or replaced with an adult license at 18. Buy online with a guardian, at Game and Fish offices, or authorized dealers, and follow all bag, size, and season rules — keep going to see specifics.
Who Qualifies for a Youth Fishing License in Arizona
If you’re aged 10 through 17 and want to fish in Arizona, you qualify for a Youth Fishing License. You meet the qualifying criteria based on age limits: Arizona explicitly designates 10–17 years as eligible for the youth license.
You don’t need a license if you’re under 10; those anglers are exempt and may fish free year-round. The youth license remains valid for 365 days from purchase, so you can plan outings across a full year without renewing mid-season.
Under-10 anglers fish free year-round; youth licenses (ages 10–17) last 365 days from purchase.
Once you turn 18, your youth license becomes invalid and you must obtain an adult fishing license to continue legally fishing. The age-based qualifying criteria are uniform for residents and non-residents, and the youth classification applies regardless of residency.
These rules let you immediately determine eligibility: under 10 — exempt; 10–17 — youth license required; 18+ — adult license required. Keep documentation of your age when purchasing or carrying the license to avoid compliance issues.
Costs and Reduced-Price Junior Hunt Permit-Tags
One low-cost option makes youth participation easy: Arizona’s youth combination hunt-and-fish license is just $5 for residents and nonresidents, and new reduced-price junior hunt permit-tags are being introduced to lower fees for elk, deer, javelina, and turkey.
You’ll find this $5 license covers anglers aged 10–17 and serves as a baseline for engaging new participants.
The state is adding junior hunt permit-tags priced below standard adult rates to increase hunting accessibility and promote youth participation in hunting and fishing.
These permit-tags target elk, deer, javelina, and turkey, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department frames them as an affordability measure to recruit and retain junior hunters.
If you’re planning outings, consult the department’s official resources for exact tag costs, application windows, and allocation methods.
The data-driven approach shows policy intent: lower financial barriers should expand entry-level access without changing species-specific regulations.
How Long Youth Licenses Are Valid and Renewal Options
Because youth fishing and combo licenses run for 365 days from the purchase date, you’ll typically have a full year of coverage before needing to renew or shift to an adult license, which becomes necessary once you turn 18.
Arizona youth fishing licenses expire exactly one year after purchase; the youth Combo Hunt and Fish License also follows this 365-day rule. You’ll need to monitor license expiration to avoid gaps in legal coverage.
The renewal process is straightforward: you can renew an expiring youth license to continue fishing for another 365 days, provided you remain eligible.
Costs and timing mirror initial issuance, and the $5 youth Combo option remains available for eligible applicants.
As you approach adulthood, plan the shift to an adult fishing license since youth permits become invalid at 18.
Check Arizona Game and Fish for any administrative details, deadlines, or online renewal steps so you can complete the renewal process without interruption.
Where and How to Purchase Junior Angler Permits
Where can you buy a Junior Angler Permit? You can complete an online purchase via the Arizona Game and Fish website, visit local Game and Fish offices, or obtain permits from authorized dealers statewide.
Buy a Junior Angler Permit online at the Arizona Game and Fish site, at local offices, or from authorized dealers.
The permit costs $5 for residents and non-residents, is valid 365 days from purchase, and allows fishing for all species statewide.
When buying online, have a parent or guardian assist the minor; first-time buyers often need to create an account. At offices or authorized dealers, present the youth’s information so staff can issue the non-transferable, non-refundable permit immediately.
Keep proof of purchase with the youth while fishing.
Choose the method that fits your schedule: online purchase for convenience and immediate electronic records, offices for direct assistance, or authorized dealers for point-of-sale issuance.
All options provide the same $5, one-year permit with identical privileges and restrictions.
Exemptions, Complimentary Licenses, and Free Fishing Days
You’re entitled to several exemptions: children under 10 fish free year‑round, and youth ages 10–17 can buy a resident/nonresident combo hunt-and-fish license for $5.
Disabled resident veterans may receive complimentary fishing licenses with proper certification.
Note the annual free fishing day on the first Saturday of Arizona National Fishing and Boating Week (next on June 7, 2025, and June 6, 2026), when everyone can fish without a license.
License Exemptions Overview
While most anglers need a license, several clear exemptions and complimentary options reduce or remove that requirement for specific groups:
children under 10 and blind residents are fully exempt, youth aged 10–17 can buy a 365-day combination hunt-and-fish license for $5, disabled resident veterans with certification receive complimentary licenses, and long-term residents aged 70+ (25+ years in Arizona) qualify for a free resident license;
additionally, Arizona holds a statewide free fishing day on the first Saturday of National Fishing and Boating Week (June 7, 2025, and June 6, 2026).
You should note these provisions when evaluating license benefits and local fishing opportunities. They lower cost barriers, expand access for seniors, veterans, youth, and the visually impaired, and create periodic universal access via free fishing day.
Free Fishing Day Rules
Arizona designates the first Saturday of National Fishing and Boating Week as a statewide free fishing day, so you can fish public waters without a license on that day while still following all bag, size, and gear rules.
On that free fishing day, all anglers—including non-residents—are exempt from permit requirements but must comply with fishing regulations.
Separately, youth anglers under 10 are license-exempt year-round and may fish anytime without permitting.
Complimentary licenses are available for disabled resident veterans who submit required certification, and residents aged 70+ with 25 consecutive years of residency qualify for a free fishing license.
You should verify specific bag and size limits, gear restrictions, and documentation requirements before fishing to ascertain compliance with current state rules.
Rules, Regulations, and What Youth Anglers Need to Know
You need to know who qualifies, how much it costs, and which rules or exemptions apply before you fish.
Youth anglers aged 10–17 pay $5 for the Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License. Children under 10 are exempt, and licenses expire when a minor turns 18.
You must carry your license while fishing, and remember the first Saturday in June is a license-free day though all other regulations still apply.
Age and Eligibility
Because state rules set clear age brackets, youth anglers should know who must buy a license and who’s exempt: anglers aged 10–17 must purchase a youth combination hunt-and-fish license for $5 (residents and nonresidents).
Children under 10 are exempt, and the youth license stays valid for 365 days from purchase but becomes invalid once the holder turns 18.
You should follow these licensing requirements for compliance and to avoid fines.
Carry your physical or digital license while fishing. Track expiration relative to your birthday so you don’t unknowingly fish on an invalid youth permit.
- Age 0–9: exempt
- Age 10–17: youth license required
- Validity: 365 days from purchase
- Age 18+: must hold adult license
License Costs
Having covered who needs a license and when it expires, let’s look at costs and rules that affect youth anglers.
You’ll pay $5 for the Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License whether you’re a resident or non‑resident; it’s valid for 365 days from purchase for ages 10–17.
If a child is under 10, they’re exempt and can fish public waters year‑round without a license.
From age 10 onward, you must carry a valid license while fishing public waters and switch to an adult license at 18.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department promotes youth engagement by offering resources and community fishing opportunities that deliver clear license benefits: legal compliance, access to programs, and support for skill development.
Keep purchase dates and birthdays in mind.
Rules and Exemptions
While youth anglers aged 10–17 can get a combination hunt-and-fish license for $5 (valid 365 days), those under 10 don’t need a license and may fish public waters year‑round; note that all youth must follow the same catch limits, seasonal restrictions, and other regulations as adults.
Youth licenses become invalid at 18 when you must switch to an adult license.
You need to know the core rules and fishing license exemptions that affect participation and compliance.
Key points:
- Youth fishing regulations require adherence to adult catch limits, size limits, and seasons.
- Anglers under 10 are exempt from licensing but not from conservation rules.
- A statewide free fishing day (first Saturday of AZ National Fishing and Boating Week) waives license requirements for all ages.
- At 18 you must obtain an adult license; youth permits are void.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Age-Specific Gear Recommendations for Junior Anglers?
Yes — you should use age specific gear sized for kids, lighter tackle, and properly fitted PFDs; you’ll follow junior angler safety protocols, supervise closely, teach casting basics, knot skills, and choose low-risk locations for practice.
Can Youth Fishing Licenses Be Gifted to Minors?
Yes — you can often gift licenses, like passing a torch; check minor regulations and state rules. You’ll provide recipient details, pay fees, and follow ID/age proof requirements; processing, refund, and transfer policies vary by jurisdiction.
Are There Family or Group Discount Options for Junior Permits?
Yes — you can often get family package deals or group purchase savings for junior permits; check your state agency’s fee schedule for exact discounts, eligibility rules, per-child rates, and required documentation to quantify cost benefits.
Do Junior Angler Permits Cover All Arizona Fishing Waters?
Mostly, yes — the permit opens nearly all Arizona waters, but it’s not universal: you’ll face permit restrictions and local fishing regulations for certain reservoirs, private lands, or special-management areas, so check specifics before you go.
Is Fishing Instruction or Mentoring Provided With the Permit?
No, the permit itself doesn’t provide fishing instruction or mentoring; it enables access to fishing education opportunities and community mentorship programs, which you can join separately through local agencies, clubs, or organized events for guided learning.
Conclusion
You’ll find that a youth fishing license in Arizona is a straightforward, budget-friendly key to waterways: most residents under 18 qualify, reduced-price junior hunt permit-tags cut costs further, and licenses last through specified seasons with easy renewal. Buy permits online or at licensed vendors, note exemptions and free fishing days, and follow regulations to avoid fines. Keep this permit in hand like a compass—practical, predictable, and guiding every junior angler’s outing.
