A.R.S. § 17-342: Colorado River Fishing Permit
Colorado river special use permit
Do you need a special permit to fish the Colorado River in Arizona?
In Arizona, a person fishing for fish or amphibians from a boat on the Colorado River south of the Nevada border needs a valid Arizona or California fishing license plus a special use permit from the other state, costing no more than four dollars. Shoreline fishing from the state that issued the angler's license, and fishing in canals or ditches that carry Colorado River water for irrigation, do not require the permit.
Full statute text
Official text last checked against azleg.gov:
17-342 . Colorado River special use permit
A. A person taking fish or amphibians for purposes other than for profit from or while on a boat or other floating device on all waters of the Colorado River south of the Nevada-Arizona boundary shall have in his possession a valid angling or fishing license issued by either the state of Arizona or the state of California. In addition to one of the above described licenses, such person shall have in his possession a valid California or Arizona-Colorado River special use permit, as provided by sections 17-343 and 17-344, which shall be obtained on payment of a fee to be fixed by the commission at not to exceed four dollars. Such a permit shall not be required to take fish or amphibians from canals, drains or ditches used to carry water from the Colorado River for irrigation or domestic purposes.
B. A person having in his possession a valid Arizona fishing license must have a California-Colorado River special use permit to legally fish the waters described in subsection A of this section. A person having in his possession a valid California angling license must have an Arizona-Colorado River special use permit to legally fish the waters described in subsection A of this section. Such special use permit when accompanied by the proper license will allow the holder to fish in any portion of such waters and permit him to enter the waters from any point.
C. Shore line fishing does not require a Colorado River special use permit as long as the fisherman remains on the shore of the state from which he holds a valid license and does not embark on the water.
AI-drafted summary, not attorney-reviewed. Statute text verified against azleg.gov. Legal information, not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney for your situation.