Arizona Trout Challenge

Apache Trout, Oncorhynchus apache Gila Trout, Oncorhynchus gilae

Arizona's Trout Challenge Program was developed to encourage anglers to learn more about fishing opportunities in the state. Arizona Game and Fish Department manages many waters statewide to provide anglers the opportunity to catch several different species of trout, including two found only in the Southwest, Gila Trout and Apache Trout.

There are two ways for anglers to complete the Challenge

Catch all five species of wild trout in Arizona. These species include Gila, Apache, Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout.
Catch six of the eight total species in Arizona (including hatchery-raised trout): Gila, Apache, Brown, Brook, Rainbow, Grayling, Cutthroat, and Tiger trout.
Send the application and photos to:
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Fisheries Branch, Native Trout Program
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086

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.
Fish must be caught legally in Arizona waters.
Anglers will only be eligible to complete each Challenge once. After completing one Challenge, in order to be eligible for the second Challenge, all fish submitted must be from different waters.
Waters not listed for a given species will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The program committee reserves the right to accept or deny any application

Wild Trout Challenge

The Arizona Wild Trout Challenge highlights unique fisheries in Arizona that offer anglers the chance to pursue wild trout. Many of these fisheries are managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department either through special regulations (ie. Catch-and-Release, Limited Harvest) or habitat improvement projects aimed at increasing natural reproduction in these populations. This Challenge also highlights the opportunity to fish for native Gila and Apache trout in Arizona. Both of these species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, but thanks to conservation efforts led by Arizona Game and Fish, are currently open to angling. As recovery efforts for each of these species progress, additional waters will be added to the list of locations where anglers can catch some of the rarest trout species in the world. Water bodies list for the Wild Trout Challenge.

Arizona Trout Challenge

The Arizona Trout Challenge was developed to get people out fishing across the state. Arizona Game and Fish Department manages approximately 100 waters, providing anglers opportunities to catch trout in nearly every region of the state. Currently, eight species of trout are stocked in Arizona including Gila, Apache, Brown, Brook, Rainbow, Grayling, Cutthroat, and Tiger trout. This Challenge highlights the breadth of the waters stocked in Arizona and the diversity of opportunities to catch unique trout species in the state. Water bodies list for the Arizona Trout Challenge.