What special fishing regulations apply at Colorado River main stem?

Colorado River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Arizona's statewide 2026 rules, covering Flathead catfish. One of them reads: "No separate stamp — every Arizona license bundles the Colorado River boundary-water privilege, letting AZ-licensed anglers fish the AZ shore of the Lower Colorado River (the old pre-2014 CA + NV Colorado River Stamps are folded in); striped bass 10 / day + largemouth + smallmouth bass 6 / day combined 13-in min on the Davis-Dam-to-International-Boundary reach (incl Lake Havasu + Topock Marsh) + flathead + channel catfish 10 / day combined + crappie 25 / day (Davis Dam to border, combined with sunfish) multi-species fishery." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Colorado River main stem?

Yes. Colorado River main stem is in Arizona, so a valid Arizona fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Colorado River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Arizona rules.

Do Colorado River main stem's special rules replace Arizona's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Arizona's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Colorado River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Colorado River main stem?

Flathead catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Colorado River main stem, each linking to its full Arizona regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Arizona limits.

2026 regulation year

Colorado River main stem 2026 — Arizona Fishing Regulations

Arizona statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Colorado River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Arizona's 2026 fishing rules — covering Flathead catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

No separate stamp — every Arizona license bundles the Colorado River boundary-water privilege, letting AZ-licensed anglers fish the AZ shore of the Lower Colorado River (the old pre-2014 CA + NV Colorado River Stamps are folded in); striped bass 10 / day + largemouth + smallmouth bass 6 / day combined 13-in min on the Davis-Dam-to-International-Boundary reach (incl Lake Havasu + Topock Marsh) + flathead + channel catfish 10 / day combined + crappie 25 / day (Davis Dam to border, combined with sunfish) multi-species fishery
Source: Arizona special-water list

Per-species rules on Colorado River main stem

Flathead catfish regulations →
10 / day combined channel + flathead catfish; AZ Colorado River Stamp required; joint AZ/NV/CA Lower Colorado River reciprocal arrangement

Official source

Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) publishes the authoritative 2026 Arizona fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Arizona fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Arizona Game and Fish Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any Arizona trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Arizona

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Colorado River main stem?: Colorado River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Arizona's statewide 2026 rules, covering Flathead catfish. One of them reads: "No separate stamp — every Arizona license bundles the Colorado River boundary-water privilege, letting AZ-licensed anglers fish the AZ shore of the Lower Colorado River (the old pre-2014 CA + NV Colorado River Stamps are folded in); striped bass 10 / day + largemouth + smallmouth bass 6 / day combined 13-in min on the Davis-Dam-to-International-Boundary reach (incl Lake Havasu + Topock Marsh) + flathead + channel catfish 10 / day combined + crappie 25 / day (Davis Dam to border, combined with sunfish) multi-species fishery." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Colorado River main stem?: Yes. Colorado River main stem is in Arizona, so a valid Arizona fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Colorado River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Arizona rules.
Do Colorado River main stem's special rules replace Arizona's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Arizona's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Colorado River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Colorado River main stem?: Flathead catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Colorado River main stem, each linking to its full Arizona regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Arizona limits.

← Back to Arizona regulations overview