Contributed Article/Courtesy AZGFD
ARIZONA – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking public input on two proposed changes to the 2025-26 Arizona fishing regulations. The proposed changes are:
- Change the daily bag limit to unlimited striped bass and 25 catfish at Lake Mead.
- Change the daily bag limit to unlimited striped bass and 25 catfish at Lake Mohave.
Proposed striped bass regulation change:
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regulations will remove the 20 daily bag limit on striped bass over 20 inches at both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. The proposed regulatory changes in Arizona aim to ensure consistency across both lakes.
NDOW’s research suggests that removing the 20-fish limit on striped bass will have no negative impact on population size or growth, as striped bass growth is more dependent on food availability than harvest rates. Surveys also show most anglers rarely harvest the previous 20-fish limit, supporting the decision to simplify the rule.
Proposed catfish regulation change:
Arizona’s current catfish limit of 10 at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave differs from NDOW’s 25 daily bag limit. In 2015, AZGFD changed the statewide catfish regulation to 10. This resulted in different daily bag limits for Lake Mead and Lake Mohave in Arizona and Nevada. The proposed change will standardize regulations, simplify enforcement, and reduce confusion among anglers.
Data from both states show no evidence that striped bass or catfish populations will be negatively affected by the regulation change. See more details about the proposed changes and rationale behind them HERE.
Written comments can be submitted by email to fishregscomments@azgfd.gov through Dec. 18, 2025. Comments can also be submitted by U.S. mail to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Amberle Jones, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
The proposed regulation changes are scheduled to be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its public meeting on Jan. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. An agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting at www.azgfd.gov/Agency/Commission.
