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fishregs

2026 regulation year

Coconino National Forest Fishing License 2026

Last updated

Arizona

Coconino NF is US Forest Service land, but fishing runs on the host state's license — no federal fishing permit is sold.

Quick answer

State fishing license applies

Fishing in the Coconino National Forest runs on an Arizona fishing licence — the US Forest Service does not sell a fishing permit. The Arizona Game & Fish Department sets the seasons, limits, and stocking schedule for the forest's streams and lakes.

What to know before you fish Coconino NF

  • Oak Creek and its West Fork hold wild and stocked trout in a deep red-rock canyon; AZGFD stocks rainbow trout seasonally.
  • High-country lakes near Flagstaff — Upper and Lower Lake Mary, Ashurst Lake, and Mormon Lake — add stocked trout, northern pike, and warmwater species under the standard Arizona licence.
  • Some waters are AZGFD-stocked seasonal fisheries with their own rules; check the current Arizona regulations for the specific water before you fish.

How licensing works at Coconino NF

Coconino National Forest is federal land managed by the US Forest Service, but fishing is governed by the host state's license — the Forest Service does not sell a fishing permit. Its own fees cover camping, day-use, and parking, not fishing. Special regulations on specific streams or lakes inside the forest are set by the host state's agency.

Compare what the Arizona license costs on the non-resident fee table, or open the full Arizona regulations.

Official source

Coconino National Forest publishes its authoritative 2026 fishing rules on the page below. Regulations change annually — verify the current year before you fish.

azgfd.com →

Coconino NF fishing license — FAQ

Do you need a fishing license to fish Coconino National Forest?
Coconino NF is US Forest Service land, but fishing runs on the host state's license — no federal fishing permit is sold.
Who issues the fishing license for Coconino NF?
The host state's fish & wildlife agency issues the controlling fishing license for Coconino NF — the Arizona license. There is no federal fishing permit to buy here.
Is your Arizona fishing license valid in Coconino NF?
Yes — Coconino NF runs on the Arizona fishing license. The same license you use elsewhere in Arizona covers the unit's waters, subject to any unit-specific regulation that layers on top.
How do I check the current Coconino NF fishing rules?
Coconino National Forest republishes its fishing regulations on an annual cycle. Verify the current 2026 rules on the official source linked on this page before you fish, and confirm any special-water restrictions on site.

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