Arizona is home to great largemouth bass fishing! The Arizona Game and Fish Department (Department) works to provide great opportunities for anglers to catch huge largemouth bass all over the state.
The Arizona Hawg Bass Challenge is a three tiered, incentive-based conservation program designed to encourage anglers to learn about and pursue really large largemouth bass while encouraging and celebrating catch-and-release on individual fish over 5 pounds.
Categories
Hawg Bass Conservation Challenge- 5 pounds or 21 inches
To complete this challenge, catch an 5 pound or 21 inch or larger largemouth bass. Verify your big fish by taking a picture while weighing or measuring it following the rules and guidelines listed. Release your fish quickly (immediately after weighing or measuring) back into the lake where you caught it. Submit your picture via BFishing@azgfd.gov. Make sure you include a valid email address so that you can be contacted. A Department biologist will contact you to discuss all the great details of your catch. Your picture will be posted on the Hawg Bass Conservation Board on FISHAZ.AZGFD.com.
Hawg Bass Memory Challenge- 8 pounds or 24 inches
To complete this challenge, catch an 8 pound or 24 inch or larger largemouth bass. Verify your hawg by taking a picture of the fish while being weighed or measured following the rules and guidelines listed. Release your fish quickly (immediately after weighing or measuring) back into the lake where you caught it. Submit your picture via BFishing@azgfd.gov. Make sure you include a valid email address so that you can be contacted. A Department biologist will contact you to discuss all the great details of your catch and get your information to send you an AZ Hawg Bass fishing shirt and decal for your truck or boat to celebrate your catch. Your picture will also be posted on the Hawg Bass Conservation Board on FISHAZ.AZGFD.com.
Ten pound club- 10 pounds or 26 inches
To be in the the 10 pound club, catch an 10 pound or 26 inch or larger largemouth bass. Verify your hawg by taking a picture of the fish while being weighed or measured following the rules and guidelines listed. Release your fish quickly (immediately after weighing or measuring) back into the lake where you caught it. Submit your picture via BFishing@azgfd.gov. Make sure you include a valid email address so that you can be contacted. A Department biologist will contact you to discuss all the great details of your catch and get your information to send you a fishing shirt with the 10 pound club, AZ Hawg Bass Challenge artwork as a way to celebrate your catch, and your picture will be posted on the Hawg Bass Conservation Board on FISHAZ.AZGFD.com. You’ll also be entered into a drawing to be held in February each year for a prize valued at over $1,000!
Our goals
Conservation through catch-and-release of the biggest, oldest, most valuable individuals in waters the Department is managing for trophy-sized bass as well as promoting catch and release of large brood fish in all bass waters.
Excite anglers about Arizona fishing, encouraging them to purchase licenses and fish more resulting in benefits to anglers, fishing-related businesses, local communities and the fisheries by having more support and funding for conservation
Collect valid information through citizen-science about trophy-sized bass to help the Department better enhance, conserve and promote trophy bass fishing
Share information about fishing opportunities and destinations to make fishing more enjoyable.
RULES: https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/challenge/basschallenge/
Advertising
Copyright © 2013-2025 WesternBass.com ®