Bowfishing in Arizona is a legitimate and growing pursuit, blending the precision of archery with the patience of fishing across some of the most scenic desert waterways in the American Southwest. Before you rig up your bow and hit the water, though, you need to understand exactly what the law allows — and what it doesn’t.
Arizona’s regulations draw clear lines around which species you can target, what equipment is legal, where you can shoot, and whether you can bowfish after dark. Getting any of those wrong can turn a fun outing into a costly citation. This guide walks you through every key rule so you can bowfish with confidence.
Is Bowfishing Legal in Arizona
Arizona allows you to bowfish for non-game and invasive fish species, but you cannot bowfish for game fish. That one sentence captures the core of Arizona’s bowfishing framework — it’s a legal and well-established activity in the state, but it comes with firm boundaries around which fish are fair game.
With a variety of lakes and rivers, bowfishing is a very popular sport in Arizona. The sport has a dedicated following throughout the Phoenix metro area and beyond, with guides operating on lakes like Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, and along the Colorado River.
The legal foundation for bowfishing sits within Arizona Administrative Code § R12-4-313, which governs lawful methods of take for aquatic wildlife. In addition to angling, a person who possesses a valid Arizona fishing license may also take certain aquatic wildlife using additional methods, and a hybrid device is lawful for the take of aquatic wildlife provided all components of the device are authorized for the take of that species. That means your bowfishing rig — bow, arrow, and retrieval line — qualifies as a legal hybrid device when used on approved species.
Important Note: Bowfishing is legal in Arizona only for designated non-game and invasive species. Taking a game fish with a bow and arrow is a violation of state law regardless of whether you intended to keep it. Always positively identify a fish before shooting.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Arizona
Bow and arrow, crossbow, snare, gig, spear or spear gun, or snagging are valid methods for taking carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad statewide unless a closure or Special Regulation restricts it. Those six species form the backbone of Arizona bowfishing, and most outings center on one or more of them.
Here is a quick breakdown of the primary bowfishing targets and where you are most likely to find them:
| Species | Status | Notable Locations | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | Invasive non-game | Roosevelt, Apache, Saguaro, Canyon, Lake Pleasant, Colorado River lakes | Unlimited |
| Buffalofish | Non-game | Roosevelt Lake, Salt River lakes | Unlimited |
| Tilapia | Invasive non-game | Alamo Lake, Yuma County waters | Unlimited |
| Mullet | Non-game | Lower Colorado River | Unlimited |
| Gizzard Shad | Non-game | Phoenix-area lakes | Unlimited |
| Goldfish | Invasive non-game | Urban and suburban waters | Unlimited |
| Catfish | Game fish (restricted) | Apache, Canyon, Saguaro Lakes only | 5 per day (designated waters) |
Roosevelt, Apache, Saguaro, Pleasant, Canyon — all of these lakes have carp. Roosevelt and some of the other Salt River lakes are good for buffalofish, too. Alamo has tilapia, and the Colorado River lakes are loaded with carp.
Bow and arrow fishing for catfish, with a 5-catfish daily bag limit in any combination, is valid at Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, and Saguaro Lake. Catfish are the exception to the “non-game only” rule, but only at those three specifically designated waters. If you want to bowfish for catfish anywhere else in Arizona, it is not permitted.
Pro Tip: Carp are considered invasive in Arizona and actively disrupt native fish spawning by stirring up sediment and consuming eggs. There is no bag limit on carp statewide, so you can shoot as many as you can find. This makes carp the go-to species for high-volume bowfishing outings.
Trout, bass, walleye, striped bass, and other game fish are strictly off-limits for bowfishing. Striped bass may be taken by spear or spear gun only in waters designated by Commission Order — and bowfishing for striped bass is not among those designated methods statewide. When in doubt about any species, check the current AZGFD regulations before you shoot.
Bowfishing License Requirements in Arizona
Bowfishing falls under the standard Arizona fishing license framework. You do not need a special bowfishing permit or archery endorsement — a valid fishing license is all that is required.
A valid Arizona fishing license is required for Arizona resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in Arizona. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona.
Everyone needs a valid fishing license to bowfish in Arizona. That applies whether you are shooting from a boat, wading the shallows, or standing on the bank. The license requirement covers the act of taking aquatic wildlife, and bowfishing is legally treated as a method of take under state fishing law.
As of the 2025–2026 regulation period, license fees are as follows:
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| General Fishing (annual) | $37 | $55 |
| Short-term / 1-day | $20 | $20 |
| Combination Hunt/Fish (annual) | $57 | N/A |
| Youth (10–17) Combo | $5 | N/A |
2026 fees include: Resident general fishing $37; Non-resident general fishing $55; Non-resident 1-day $20; Short-term 1-day (res/non-res) $20; Combination hunt/fish (res) $57; Youth (10–17) combo $5. Always confirm current pricing directly with AZGFD, as fees can be updated by the Commission.
Hunting and fishing licenses are available for purchase online, at all Arizona Game and Fish Department offices, and at license dealers statewide. All licenses are valid 365 days from the date of purchase. That rolling 365-day validity means you are not locked into a calendar year — your license stays active for a full year from the day you buy it.
The Pioneer License is a complimentary option for residents aged 70 or older who have lived in Arizona for at least 25 consecutive years. Arizona also offers complimentary and reduced-fee licenses for disabled veterans and Purple Heart Medal recipients, and these licenses carry the same hunting and fishing privileges as a standard combination license.
If you are a new resident, note that only persons who have been a domiciled resident of Arizona for the six months immediately preceding the date of application, or members or spouses of members of the armed forces of the United States who are on active duty and stationed in this state, may obtain resident fishing licenses and permits. If you do not yet qualify for residency, you will pay the non-resident rate.
You can also learn about other wildlife-related laws in Arizona that may affect your time outdoors, including rules around wildlife removal and handling.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Arizona
Arizona’s regulations are relatively permissive when it comes to bowfishing gear. The state does not impose draw-weight restrictions, bow-type mandates, or arrow-weight minimums for bowfishing purposes.
There are no legal poundage restrictions for bowfishing, so it’s an ideal sport for kids, and you don’t have to invest in expensive gear when you first start out. You can use whatever bow you like, even a crossbow, but a recurve bow is usually easier, especially when you’re just starting out, because you don’t have to draw it all the way back like you do a compound bow.
The following bow types are all legal for bowfishing in Arizona:
- Compound bow
- Recurve bow
- Longbow
- Crossbow
A hybrid device is lawful for the take of aquatic wildlife provided all components of the device are authorized for the take of that species under the applicable subsection. This means your complete bowfishing rig — bow, arrow, retrieval reel, and line — must collectively be authorized for the species you are targeting.
Standard bowfishing arrows are barbed and attached to a retrieval line or reel mounted on the bow. This setup allows you to retrieve both the arrow and the fish after a successful shot. While Arizona does not spell out specific arrow requirements for bowfishing (unlike some states that mandate a line-attached arrow), using a retrieval line is the standard and practical approach.
Pro Tip: Draw weights between 25 and 50 pounds are the sweet spot for most Arizona bowfishing. Heavy enough to penetrate a carp at close range, light enough to shoot repeatedly over a long night on the water without fatiguing your shoulders.
Lights and boat-mounted spotlights are commonly used for night bowfishing and are not prohibited under state fishing regulations, though you should verify that any boat lighting complies with applicable U.S. Coast Guard and Arizona State Parks boating regulations. Elevated shooting platforms on boats are also widely used and legal.
One important equipment note: a person shall not use any of the methods of take listed for carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad within 200 yards of a designated swimming area as indicated by way of posted signs or notices. This applies regardless of what equipment you are using.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Arizona
Arizona has a broad network of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and canals where bowfishing is permitted, but there are important location-based restrictions you need to know before you launch.
Some of the most productive and popular bowfishing waters in the state include:
- Lake Pleasant — Carp and gizzard shad; popular Phoenix-area destination
- Saguaro Lake — Carp and catfish (bowfishing for catfish permitted here)
- Canyon Lake — Carp and catfish (bowfishing for catfish permitted here)
- Apache Lake — Carp, buffalofish, and catfish (bowfishing for catfish permitted here)
- Roosevelt Lake — Carp and buffalofish in large numbers
- Alamo Lake — Tilapia populations
- Colorado River and associated lakes — Heavy carp populations
- Central Arizona Project (CAP) Aqueduct — Carp and other non-game species
There are several firm location-based restrictions under Arizona law:
- A person shall not use bowfishing methods within 200 yards of a designated swimming area as indicated by way of posted signs or notices.
- Except for snagging, a person shall not use any of the methods of take for non-game species within 200 yards of any boat dock or fishing pier.
- Community Fishing Program waters (urban park lakes) are generally not suitable for bowfishing given their small size, heavy public use, and specific regulations — check site-specific rules before attempting to bowfish any urban pond.
Before you fish any body of water, be certain to review the General Statewide Regulations and the Special Regulations for the area you intend to fish. Anglers are responsible for knowing what regulations apply to the body of water they are fishing. Some waters have site-specific closures or special regulations that may restrict or prohibit bowfishing even for legal species.
Important Note: Tribal lands and waters — including portions of the Salt River, Verde River, and lakes on reservation land — are governed by tribal regulations, not AZGFD rules. You must obtain the appropriate tribal permit to fish or bowfish on tribal waters. Do not assume your state fishing license covers tribal lands.
Private land access is another consideration. Arizona law addresses the prohibition by a landowner on hunting, fishing, trapping, or guiding, including trespassing and posting requirements. Always secure landowner permission before accessing private property to bowfish, even if the water itself is publicly accessible.
If you enjoy spending time outdoors in Arizona and want to stay informed on related state laws, you may also find it helpful to review Arizona’s roadkill laws, which cover what you can and cannot do with animals encountered on public roads.
Night Bowfishing Rules in Arizona
Night bowfishing is one of the most popular ways to pursue carp and other non-game species in Arizona, and the good news is that state regulations do not specifically prohibit bowfishing after dark. There is no statewide nighttime closure on bowfishing for the species that are legally available to bowfishers.
Guides typically start hitting the lakes hard in March and go through June most years. Early in the year some daytime shooting may occur, but generally most of the shooting is done at night. This reflects the practical reality that carp and other non-game fish are often more visible and accessible in shallow water after dark, especially during spring spawning runs.
Night bowfishing on Arizona waters is subject to the same rules that govern daytime bowfishing:
- A valid Arizona fishing license is required at all times, day or night
- Only legal species may be targeted
- The 200-yard setback from designated swimming areas and boat docks applies around the clock
- Site-specific special regulations at particular waters may impose additional restrictions
Boat lighting is a practical requirement for safe night bowfishing. Under U.S. Coast Guard and Arizona boating regulations, vessels operating after dark must display proper navigation lights. Spotlights and submersible lights used to illuminate fish are commonly used and are not restricted under AZGFD fishing regulations, but make sure your overall vessel lighting setup meets boating safety requirements enforced by Arizona State Parks and Trails.
Pro Tip: Spring nights — particularly March through May — offer some of the best bowfishing in Arizona as carp move into the shallows to spawn. Shallow, weedy flats on lakes like Roosevelt and Apache can hold large numbers of fish within easy bow range after dark.
While night bowfishing itself is not restricted, be aware that some bodies of water may have after-hours access restrictions enforced by county parks, the Army Corps of Engineers, or other land management agencies. Always check whether the boat ramp and access area you plan to use allows nighttime entry before heading out.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Arizona
Arizona is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so there is no saltwater bowfishing to speak of in the traditional sense. The state does not border any ocean, bay, or tidal water, which means the saltwater bowfishing regulations that apply in coastal states simply have no equivalent here.
What Arizona does have is the Colorado River, which forms the state’s western border with California and Nevada, and a series of large reservoirs fed by that river system including Lake Havasu, Lake Mohave, and Lake Mead. These are freshwater environments, and bowfishing on them follows the same statewide freshwater rules described throughout this guide.
A few important notes for bowfishing the Colorado River corridor:
- Some portions of the Colorado River and its associated lakes form state boundaries, which means you may technically be in California or Nevada waters depending on your exact position
- These licensees may fish from a boat on any waters that form the mutual boundaries between Arizona and California, or Nevada, and as of 2018, Utah; or when fishing from the California or Nevada shorelines of these lakes. This interstate fishing privilege is built into Arizona’s General Fishing License and Combo Hunt/Fish licenses
- If you are bowfishing from the California or Nevada shoreline of a boundary lake, you may need that state’s license depending on where you are physically standing
The Colorado River lakes are well-known for their carp populations. The Colorado River lakes are loaded with carp, making them productive bowfishing destinations for anyone in the western part of the state.
Key Insight: Arizona has no saltwater fishing regulations because it has no saltwater. All bowfishing in Arizona takes place in freshwater environments — rivers, reservoirs, lakes, canals, and ponds — and is governed entirely by AZGFD freshwater fishing rules.
If you travel to fish in neighboring states with ocean access, be aware that bowfishing regulations in those states will differ significantly from what you are used to in Arizona. Always research the specific rules for any state where you plan to bowfish.
For more on how Arizona regulates animals and wildlife broadly, you can explore related topics such as backyard chicken laws in Arizona, beekeeping laws in Arizona, and goat ownership laws in Arizona — all of which reflect how the state approaches the intersection of residents and animals. You might also find it useful to review exotic pet laws across the United States if you are curious how Arizona’s approach compares to other states.
Bowfishing in Arizona rewards those who take the time to learn the rules. Target the right species, carry your license, respect the setback zones, and check site-specific regulations for whichever water you plan to fish. Do those things and you will be well within the law — and likely shooting fish before the night is over.