Arizona vs Nevada fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Nevada is $23 cheaper than Arizona. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Arizona is $25 cheaper than Nevada. You need a license from age 10 in Arizona and from 12 in Nevada.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Arizona | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $20 | $18 |
| 3 days | $55 | $32 |
| 7 days | $55 | $60 |
| 1 year | $55 | $80 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $37 | $40 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Arizona | Nevada | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 10 | 12 |
| Senior residents | Resident lifetime fishing license (age 62 and over): $296 (ages 62+) | Resident senior specialty combination hunting and fishing license (65+): $15 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | – | – |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 5, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Arizona fishing license · Nevada fishing license
Shared waters
Colorado River boundary waters (Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu) (Arizona rules)
Privileges that used to need a separate Colorado River stamp are now included in Arizona fishing licenses for the California and Nevada boundary waters. Check the reciprocal rules before fishing from a boat or the far shore. Secondary source: Arizona Fishing Regulations (eRegulations)
Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and the Colorado River (Arizona) (Nevada rules)
An Arizona fishing license is valid, as is a Nevada license, Nevada Interstate Boundary Water license or Nevada short-term permit. Under 12s need no license. Secondary source: Nevada Fishing Regulations 2026 (NDOW guide on eRegulations)
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Arizona | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) |
| Trout |
bag 4 in any combination (Statewide; 1 more) |
bag 5 (Western Region (Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe); 6 more) |
| Walleye |
bag 6 |
bag 5 (within 15 warmwater game fish) (Western Region (Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe); 1 more) |
| Crappie |
bag Unlimited |
bag 15 |
| Catfish |
Channel and flathead catfish |
bag 25 (Lake Mead and Lake Mohave; 1 more) |
| Striped bass |
bag 10 (Statewide; 1 more) |
Striped bass Other warmwater game fish (combined limit) |
| Northern pike |
bag Unlimited |
bag No limit |
| Yellow perch |
bag Unlimited |
bag No limit |
Questions
Is a Arizona fishing license valid in Nevada?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Colorado River boundary waters (Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu); Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and the Colorado River (Arizona).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Arizona or Nevada?
1 day (fresh water): Arizona $20, Nevada $18. 1 year (fresh water): Arizona $55, Nevada $80.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Arizona and Nevada?
You need a license from age 10 in Arizona and from 12 in Nevada.