WMAT Wildlife & Outdoor Recreation Division - Fishing Regulations, Seasons & Bag Limits

GENERAL FISHING REGULATIONS:

DEFINITIONS
1. Reservation Fishing Permits are limited to the taking of game fish. Game fish include all species of bass, pike, catfish, sunfish and all members of the salmon family including trout, brook trout and grayling.
2. Non-game fish are defined as all other species of fish except game fish.
LICENSE PROVISIONS/REQUIREMENTS
1. Reservation Fishing Permits are required for all persons ten (10) years of age or older taking aquatic wildlife on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
2. Adult Fishing Permits are required for all persons 15 years of age or older fishing on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
3. Juvenile Fishing Permits are required for all persons 10 to 14 years of age fishing on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Persons under ten (10) years of age do not require a permit to fish. Juveniles fishing on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation must also be accompanied at all times by an adult possessing a valid Reservation adult fishing permit.
FISHING METHODS & RESTRICTIONS
1. Fish may be taken only by angling with the following fishing methods:
  - one line not having more that two(2) hooks attached; or
  - one line not having more that two(2) artificial flies or lures attached.
2. Posession limits are twice the daily catch limit
3. "Artificial Flies and Lures" do not include living or dead organisms, natural or prepared food stuffs, artificial salmon eggs, corn or marshmallows, or any type of "powerbait".
4. Aquatic wildlife may be taken night or day. Artificial light may be used.
5. For waters with minimum fish lengths (see "Special Fishing Waters" Page), fish length is measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail with the tails lobes pressed together.
6. Amphibians (except bullfrogs), waterdogs, mollusks, and crustaceans (crayfish) may be taken by angling, by hand or with any hand held non motorized implement which does not discharge a projectile. In addition, they may be taken with lawful minnow traps.
7. Bullfrogs may be taken by angling, spear, bow and arrow, dip net or by hand.
CLOSED AREAS
1. Mount Baldy Wilderness Area is the northeast portion of the Reservation is closed to all entry and fishing. (See map for exact boundaries.)
2. Any other Reservation roads/areas posted as "Closed" are closed to all entry and fishing.
3. Tonto Lake is open to tribal-member fishing only.
4. Salt Banks (four miles downstream from the confluence of Cibecue Creek and the Salt River is closed to all entry and fishing. Boaters can raft past the Salt banks but can not get out of their boats in that area. Please obey all closed signs in the area.

SEASONS:	All game species fishing is open year-long except as provided for "Special Fishing Waters" (see Special Fishing Waters Page)
OPEN AREAS:	All Reservation waters, except Closed Areas and Special Fishing Waters. You can enter Special Fishing Waters if you hold an appropriate special permit.

BAG LIMITS:	ADULTS: Five (5) fish in the aggregate, per adult permit holder per day (except otherwise provided herein for Special Fishing Waters, Catch-and-Release Fishing Areas, Rent-A-Lake location and Sunrise Lake).	JUVENILES: Three (3) fish in the aggregate, per adult permit holder per day (except as otherwise provided herein for Special Fishing Waters, Catch-and-Release Fishing Areas, Rent-A-Lake location and Sunrise Lake).
TONTO LAKE ONLY:	ADULTS: Five (5) fish in the aggregate, per permit/day	JUVENILES: Three (3) fish in the aggregate, per permit/day. Members only.

SEASON:	Year Long
BAG LIMIT:	No Limit
REQUIRED PERMIT:	Standard Reservation Fishing Permit; except Waterdogs which requires Reservation "Waterdog Permit".