Arizona to stop offering community fishing program licenses

PHOENIX – Arizona wildlife officials are discontinuing their community fishing program licenses at the end of the year.

Community fishing licenses cost less than general licenses but are limited in scope and have been declining in popularity, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said in a press release Thursday.

The community fishing program covers 49 bodies of water in 23 communities across the state that AZGFD stocks, mainly with trout and catfish.

The program has grown from 21 waters and includes 30 lakes and ponds in the Phoenix area.

“General fishing and combination hunt/fish licenses offer greater value than the community fishing license alone,” Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief Julie Carter said in the release.

“Anglers not only get the increased opportunities of the expanded CFP [community fishing program], but also the opportunity to fish nearly 80 other public waters in Arizona that are regularly stocked by AZGFD as well as the other streams and lakes throughout the state with self-sustaining sport fish populations.”

Community licenses will remain available for $24 through Dec. 31 and be valid for one year from the date of purchase.

General fishing licenses cost $37 per year for Arizona residents ($55 for others) and provide privileges in all public waters, including the ones in the community program. Fish/hunt combination licenses cost $57 for residents ($160 for others).

Sales of community fishing license have declined by more than 80% since 2014, according to the release.

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