Fishing Lake Havasu With a California Colorado River Stamp

March 22, 2012

Question: I am a California resident and get a yearly California license with the Colorado River stamp. I also buy a yearly nonresident Arizona fishing license in that state with no Colorado River stamp. Now the question is can I fish from the Arizona side in the river or launch my boat in Lake Havasu and be legal with what I have, or do I need an Arizona Colorado River stamp in addition to the California one? (John C., Banning)

Answer: Based on your question, it appears you buy the nonresident Arizona license so you can fish from shore in Arizona along boundary waters with California. If that is the case, what you have should be fine. A Colorado River Special Use Stamp is required for anyone fishing from a boat or other floating device on the Colorado River or adjacent waters forming the California-Arizona border. In addition, the holder of a California license must have an Arizona Use Stamp, and the holder of an Arizona license must have a California Use Stamp.