Pay lakes in Arizona

It depends. Unclear from current official text: AZGFD rules exempt only private ponds that are NOT open to the public, so assume a fishing license is needed at a pay pond unless the licensed operator confirms otherwise; a 1998 University of Arizona aquaculture review said fee fishing licensees' customers did not need a Game and Fish license.

Arizona licenses pay lakes through its Aquaculture Fee Fishing Facility License (A.R.S. § 3-2907(A)(4); A.A.C. R3-2-1002, R3-2-1005), run by the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Animal Services Division (aquaculture / fee fishing facility licenses); Arizona Game and Fish Department (angler licensing). The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.

"A fishing license is not required when a person is: a. Fishing from artificial ponds, tanks, and lakes contained entirely on private lands that are not: i. Open to the public, and ii. Managed by the Department."

Source: Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-311 (Exemptions from requirements to possess a license while taking wildlife); official copy in https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_12/12-04.pdf, checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.