April 14th, 2025
In case you missed last month's announcement, the temperatures are heating up and so is the bass fishing. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is excited to announce the launch of the AZ Bass Challenge, a new program designed to give anglers an opportunity to explore Arizona’s diverse bass fishing waters and earn recognition for their efforts. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the sport, the AZ Bass Challenge invites all anglers to take on the ultimate bass fishing adventure and pursue the state’s five signature bass species.
Catch 'em all: The five species challenge
The AZ Bass Challenge is simple: catch all five species of bass found in Arizona waters. These include:
Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Striped bass
White bass
Yellow bass
Each of these species can be found across various lakes and rivers in Arizona, providing an exciting challenge for anglers of all skill levels.
How to participate:
Catch all five species of bass in Arizona.
Submit a completed application with details of the species caught, including the location and date.
Include photographs of each species caught.
No more than two species can come from the same water body.
Fish must be caught legally within Arizona waters.
Where to find your fish:
Striped bass: Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, and the Colorado River.
Yellow bass: Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake, and upper Lake Mary.
White bass: Lake Pleasant and the Agua Fria River upstream of Lake Pleasant.
Largemouth bass: Found statewide.
Smallmouth bass: Apache Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, Colorado River, Show Low Lake, Fool Hollow, Black River, and Verde River above Horseshoe Reservoir.
Submit your challenge entry:
Email applications and photos to: azbasschallenge@azgfd.gov
Or mail your entries to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, Attn: WMAQ, Sport Fish Program.
Recognition for completing the challenge:
Successful anglers who complete the AZ Bass Challenge will receive a special certificate featuring color images of the species they caught, a limited-edition Arizona Bass Challenge sun shirt, and an Arizona Bass Challenge sticker to commemorate their accomplishment.
Don’t miss out on the action!
Ready to take on the challenge? Head out to Arizona’s world-class bass fishing waters and see how many species you can catch! Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting, the AZ Bass Challenge is your ticket to discovering the thrill of bass fishing in Arizona.
For more information, including official rules and further details on where to find each species, visit the Fish and Boat AZ website or contact a Regional Biologist.
Contact information
Phone: 623-236-7259
Email: azbasschallenge@azgfd.gov back...
Catch 'em all: The five species challenge
The AZ Bass Challenge is simple: catch all five species of bass found in Arizona waters. These include:
Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Striped bass
White bass
Yellow bass
Each of these species can be found across various lakes and rivers in Arizona, providing an exciting challenge for anglers of all skill levels.
How to participate:
Catch all five species of bass in Arizona.
Submit a completed application with details of the species caught, including the location and date.
Include photographs of each species caught.
No more than two species can come from the same water body.
Fish must be caught legally within Arizona waters.
Where to find your fish:
Striped bass: Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, and the Colorado River.
Yellow bass: Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake, and upper Lake Mary.
White bass: Lake Pleasant and the Agua Fria River upstream of Lake Pleasant.
Largemouth bass: Found statewide.
Smallmouth bass: Apache Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, Colorado River, Show Low Lake, Fool Hollow, Black River, and Verde River above Horseshoe Reservoir.
Submit your challenge entry:
Email applications and photos to: azbasschallenge@azgfd.gov
Or mail your entries to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, Attn: WMAQ, Sport Fish Program.
Recognition for completing the challenge:
Successful anglers who complete the AZ Bass Challenge will receive a special certificate featuring color images of the species they caught, a limited-edition Arizona Bass Challenge sun shirt, and an Arizona Bass Challenge sticker to commemorate their accomplishment.
Don’t miss out on the action!
Ready to take on the challenge? Head out to Arizona’s world-class bass fishing waters and see how many species you can catch! Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting, the AZ Bass Challenge is your ticket to discovering the thrill of bass fishing in Arizona.
For more information, including official rules and further details on where to find each species, visit the Fish and Boat AZ website or contact a Regional Biologist.
Contact information
Phone: 623-236-7259
Email: azbasschallenge@azgfd.gov back...
