Arizona Bass Challenge

Are you ready for a challenge?

Whether you’re new to angling or a seasoned pro, the fishing challenges provide opportunities to pursue and catch your “big fish” and have it posted on our website. Find your challenge, see how to enter, and explore the official rules.

Arizona’s Bass Challenge Program was developed to encourage anglers to learn more about fishing opportunities in the state. The Arizona Game and Fish Department manages many waters statewide to provide anglers the opportunity to catch several different species of bass, both from the black bass family (Largemouth and Smallmouth bass) and from the temperate bass family (Striped, White and Yellow bass). Yellow Bass are an underutilized species and where they are found there is a good potential for catching a new state record.

How to complete the challenge

Catch all five species of bass in Arizona. These species include Largemouth, Smallmouth, Striped, White and Yellow bass.

Email applications and photos to azbasschallenge@azgfd.gov, or mail to:
Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086
WMAQ, Sport Fish Program

Where to find fish to complete your challenge:

• Striped Bass: Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, and the Colorado River.
• Yellow Bass: Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake and upper Lake Mary.
• White Bass: Lake Pleasant and the Agua Fria River immediately upstream of Lake Pleasant
• Largemouth Bass: Statewide
• Smallmouth Bass: Apache Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, Colorado River, Show Low Lake, Fool Hollow, Black River, and Verde River above Horseshoe Reservoir

Rules for the Challenge

• Anglers must submit a completed application with species, location caught, and date caught.
• Anglers must submit photographs of each species caught.
• No more than two species can come from the same water body.
• Fish must be caught legally in Arizona waters.
• For additional questions on where to catch these species go to Fish and Boat AZ or contact a Regional Biologist.

Successful anglers will receive a certificate with color images of each of the species they caught and submitted for the Challenge. In addition to the certificate, anglers will receive an Arizona Bass Challenge sun shirt and an Arizona Bass Challenge sticker for completing the challenge.

CONTACT

623-236-7259
azbasschallenge@azgfd.gov