December 30th, 2024
Below is a summary of changes published in the 2025 and 2026 Fishing Regulations:
The special regulations and seasons section is now organized by Arizona Game and Fish Department regions to make it easier for anglers to know which office to contact for additional information.
New regulation to create unlimited daily and possession limits for illegally introduced warmwater fish species at Becker Lake. Catch-and-release only for trout. Trout must be immediately released unharmed; no trout may be kept; artificial fly and lure only; single-pointed barbless hooks only. Unlimited smallmouth and largemouth bass; unlimited channel and flathead catfish. General statewide regulations apply to all other fish species.
New regulation to close KP Creek (Greenlee County) to angling to protect Gila trout.
New regulation to open Bear Wallow Creek, Hayground Creek and Stinky Creek to angling. Regulation is closed to fishing from Jan. 1 to April 30. Catch-and-release only for trout; trout must be immediately released unharmed; no trout may be kept; artificial fly and lure only; single-pointed barbless hooks only from May 1 to Dec. 31.
New regulation for Lake Pleasant and Apache, Canyon, Saguaro lakes of a 15 crappie per day bag limit.
Continue revised regulations for Cluff Ranch Pond 3 of catch and release only for all fish species (excluding rainbow trout) from Jan. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Thereafter, statewide daily bag and possession limits would apply (except a four catfish in any combination daily bag limit special regulation).
The new 2025-26 Fishing Regulations are anticipated to be posted online and hard copies available at department offices and license dealers by the end of this month. back...
The special regulations and seasons section is now organized by Arizona Game and Fish Department regions to make it easier for anglers to know which office to contact for additional information.
New regulation to create unlimited daily and possession limits for illegally introduced warmwater fish species at Becker Lake. Catch-and-release only for trout. Trout must be immediately released unharmed; no trout may be kept; artificial fly and lure only; single-pointed barbless hooks only. Unlimited smallmouth and largemouth bass; unlimited channel and flathead catfish. General statewide regulations apply to all other fish species.
New regulation to close KP Creek (Greenlee County) to angling to protect Gila trout.
New regulation to open Bear Wallow Creek, Hayground Creek and Stinky Creek to angling. Regulation is closed to fishing from Jan. 1 to April 30. Catch-and-release only for trout; trout must be immediately released unharmed; no trout may be kept; artificial fly and lure only; single-pointed barbless hooks only from May 1 to Dec. 31.
New regulation for Lake Pleasant and Apache, Canyon, Saguaro lakes of a 15 crappie per day bag limit.
Continue revised regulations for Cluff Ranch Pond 3 of catch and release only for all fish species (excluding rainbow trout) from Jan. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Thereafter, statewide daily bag and possession limits would apply (except a four catfish in any combination daily bag limit special regulation).
The new 2025-26 Fishing Regulations are anticipated to be posted online and hard copies available at department offices and license dealers by the end of this month. back...
