FishKillFlea· Locations · 5 min read
Lake Powell & Lake Mead Fishing License (2026) — AZ/UT/NV Border Rules & Regulations
Reviewed by FishKillFlea Editorial Team
Lake Powell straddles Arizona-Utah and Lake Mead straddles Arizona-Nevada. Which fishing license do you need? Complete guide to border lake licensing, costs, species, and regulations.
Lake Powell and Lake Mead are two of the most popular fishing destinations in the American Southwest — and two of the most confusing for licensing. Both lakes cross state lines, creating unique licensing situations. Here’s exactly which license you need.
Lake Powell — Arizona / Utah
Lake Powell sits on the Arizona-Utah border within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The lake is roughly split between the two states.
Which License Do You Need?
| Scenario | License Needed |
|---|---|
| Fishing from Utah waters | Utah fishing license |
| Fishing from Arizona waters | Arizona fishing license |
| Crossing the state line by boat | License from BOTH states, OR a reciprocal stamp |
| Fishing near the dam (AZ side) | Arizona fishing license |
| Fishing in the main channel (UT side) | Utah fishing license |
The Reciprocal Stamp Solution
Both Arizona and Utah offer a reciprocal stamp that allows you to fish the entire lake with one base license:
| Option | Base License | Add-On | Total Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah base + AZ reciprocal | UT license ($34) | AZ reciprocal stamp ($11) | ~$45 | Entire lake |
| Arizona base + UT reciprocal | AZ license ($37) | UT reciprocal stamp ($12) | ~$49 | Entire lake |
| Both state licenses | UT ($34) + AZ ($37) | None needed | $71 | Entire lake |
Best deal: Buy a Utah license + Arizona reciprocal stamp for ~$45 total coverage of the entire lake.
Lake Powell License Costs
| License Type | Utah Resident | Utah Non-Res | AZ Resident | AZ Non-Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $34 | $75 | $37 | $55 |
| 1-Day | $12 | $12 | — | — |
| 5-Day | — | — | — | — |
| Reciprocal Stamp | $12 (for AZ license holders) | Same | $11 (for UT license holders) | Same |
Where to Buy at Lake Powell
- Wahweap Marina (AZ side) — Sells both AZ licenses and UT reciprocal stamps
- Bullfrog Marina (UT side) — Sells both UT licenses and AZ reciprocal stamps
- Halls Crossing Marina (UT side) — Same as Bullfrog
- Online: wildlife.utah.gov or azgfd.com
Lake Powell Species
| Species | Best Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Striped bass | Year-round (peak: spring/fall) | The #1 target — boils in spring and fall |
| Largemouth bass | Mar–Nov | Excellent warm-water fishery |
| Smallmouth bass | Apr–Oct | Growing population |
| Walleye | Mar–Jun | Good numbers, especially in deeper water |
| Channel catfish | May–Sept | Abundant, great for families |
| Crappie | Mar–May | Found in coves and brush |
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Lake Mead — Arizona / Nevada
Lake Mead sits on the Arizona-Nevada border within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Which License Do You Need?
Lake Mead has a special reciprocal agreement that makes licensing simpler:
| Scenario | License Needed |
|---|---|
| Fishing from Nevada waters | Nevada fishing license |
| Fishing from Arizona waters | Arizona fishing license |
| Fishing across the border by boat | EITHER state’s license covers the entire lake |
Great news: Unlike Lake Powell, Lake Mead has a full reciprocal agreement — a valid Arizona OR Nevada fishing license covers you on the entire lake without needing an additional stamp.
Lake Mead License Costs
| License Type | Nevada Resident | Nevada Non-Res | AZ Resident | AZ Non-Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $40 | $80 | $37 | $55 |
| 1-Day | $9 | $21 | — | — |
| 3-Day | — | $40 | — | — |
Where to Buy at Lake Mead
- Las Vegas Boat Harbor — Sells NV licenses
- Callville Bay Marina — Sells NV licenses
- Temple Bar Marina (AZ side) — Sells AZ licenses
- Online: ndow.org or azgfd.com
- Walmart and Bass Pro Shops in Las Vegas — Sell Nevada licenses
Lake Mead Species
| Species | Best Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Striped bass | Year-round (peak: spring boils) | Lake Mead’s premier gamefish |
| Largemouth bass | Mar–Nov | Found in coves, around vegetation |
| Channel catfish | May–Sept | Abundant, night fishing popular |
| Black crappie | Mar–May | Spring spawning concentrates fish |
| Bluegill / Sunfish | Apr–Oct | Coves and shallow areas |
| Rainbow trout | Nov–Mar | Stocked below Hoover Dam (cold water) |
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National Recreation Area Rules
Both lakes are managed by the National Park Service (NPS), which adds some rules on top of state fishing regulations:
Boating Requirements
- NPS boating permit: Required for all watercraft at both lakes
- Lake Powell: Included in Glen Canyon NRA entry fee ($30/vehicle or $15/person)
- Lake Mead: Included in Lake Mead NRA entry fee ($25/vehicle or $15/person)
- Annual America the Beautiful Pass ($80) covers entry to both areas
Fishing Regulations
- State fishing regulations apply (not NPS-specific rules)
- No trotlines or setlines at Lake Powell
- Check current water levels — Both lakes have experienced significant water level changes, affecting access points and fish habitat
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Comparison: Lake Powell vs. Lake Mead
| Feature | Lake Powell | Lake Mead |
|---|---|---|
| States | AZ + UT | AZ + NV |
| Reciprocal agreement | Partial (need reciprocal stamp) | Full (either state license works) |
| Minimum cost for full lake | ~$45 (UT + AZ stamp) | $37 (AZ license covers all) |
| Top species | Striped bass, smallmouth, walleye | Striped bass, largemouth, catfish |
| Scenery | Red rock canyons | Desert mountains, Hoover Dam |
| Nearest city | Page, AZ | Las Vegas, NV |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need two fishing licenses for Lake Powell? If you plan to fish in both Arizona and Utah waters (which most boaters do), you need either both state licenses OR one base license plus a reciprocal stamp (~$11–$12 extra). The reciprocal stamp is the cheapest option.
Which fishing license do I need for Lake Mead? Either an Arizona or Nevada fishing license covers the entire lake thanks to a full reciprocal agreement. Buy whichever is cheaper for you — an Arizona resident license ($37) is the best deal.
Can I buy a fishing license at the lake? Yes. Marinas at both Lake Powell and Lake Mead sell fishing licenses. You can also buy online before your trip.
Do I need a National Park Service pass to fish? You need to pay the National Recreation Area entrance fee (which covers boating), but fishing is governed by state licenses — the NPS doesn’t issue fishing permits at either lake.
What’s the best fish to target at Lake Powell? Striped bass are the #1 target. Spring and fall “boils” (stripers chasing shad on the surface) offer spectacular topwater fishing.
Can I fish below Hoover Dam? Yes. The Colorado River below Hoover Dam (between Lake Mead and Lake Mohave) offers excellent rainbow trout fishing. An Arizona or Nevada license covers this area.
For Arizona details, see our Arizona state page. For Utah, see Utah. For Nevada, see Nevada.
