White Mountain Apache Tribe WILDLIFE & OUTDOOR RECREATION DIVISION FISHING REGULATIONS

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FISHING PERMITS COST

Type	Prices
ADULT Daily Fishing Permit (ages 15 and up)	$6.00
ADULT Annual Fishing Permit	$65.00
ADULT Annual Fishing Permit with Earl Park Lake	$100.00
JUVENILE Daily Fishing Permit (Ages 10-14)	$3.00
JUVENILE Annual Fishing Permit	$32.00
JUVENILE Annual Fishing Permit with Earl Park Lake	$67.00
Annual AFFILIATES Fishing Permit*	$45.00
Annual WATERDOG Permit	$25.00

 

FISHING DEFINITIONS

Reservation Fishing Permits are limited to the taking of GAME FISH ONLY.  Game fish include all species of Trout (Apache trout, Brook trout, and Rainbow trout), Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Bullhead Catfish, Sunfish, and Carp. Non-game fish are defined as all other species of fish except the above noted game fish. Fishing permits do not allow the taking of amphibians, mollusks or crustaceans, except for waterdogs and crayfish (which require a waterdog and fishing permit, respectively). Cray fish may be taken in any manner.

PERMIT REQUIREMENT

Reservation Fishing Permits are required for all persons ten (10) years of age or older taking aquatic wildlife on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. ADULT FISHING PERMITS are required for all persons 15 years or age or older fishing on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. See below for daily possession limits for game fish species. JUVENILE FISHING PERMITS are required for all persons 10-14 years of age fishing on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.  Persons under the age of ten (10) do not require a permit to fish on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, but MUST be accompanied at all times by an adult possessing a valid Reservation fishing permit and abide by SUB-JUVENILE fishing bag/possession limits. See below for daily possession limits for game fish species.

KEY FISHING REGULATIONS

Fish may be only taken by angling with the following fishing methods One pole and line not having more than two (2) hooks attached; or One pole and line not having more than two (2) artificial flies or lures attached. Artificial lures and flies do not include living or dead organisms, natural or prepared food stuff, artificial salmon eggs, corn, marshmallows, or any type of powerbait.  An artificial lure is considered one hook as noted above. Aquatic Wildlife may be taken night or day, except on Special Regulation Waters.  Artificial lights may be used. Daily bag limits for General Fishing Waters are five (5) trout for Adults, three (3) for Juveniles and two (2) for SUB-Juveniles. Special bag/catch limits do apply for Special Fishing Areas. Waterdog and Crayfish may be taken by angling, by hand and with lawful minnow trap. Angling with multiple poles, an unattended line, setline or trotline is UNLAWFUL Live baitfish may not be possessed nor used on any waters on the Reservation. Chumming of any kind is prohibited. Chumming is defined as placing or spreading any type of bait in waters for the purpose of attracting fish. Waterdogs may be used as bait to fish stock tank on the Bonito Prairie and the Black and Salt Rivers. Digging for worms on the Reservation is unlawful and prohibited in all areas of the Fort Apache Reservation. It is UNLAWFUL to clean fish in any Reservation lake or stream It is UNLAWFUL to fish from any Reservation boat dock. Any fish put on a stringer/creel basket is yours to keep.  They cannot be released later. Ice fishing holes may not exceed 9 inches in diameter.