Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) requires all motorized watercraft to be registered and mandates that all vessels carry U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for each person. Key responsibilities include renewing registrations online, taking boater safety courses, and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Key Boating Information
• Registration: All motorized watercraft must be registered with AZGFD. Registration can be renewed online, allowing immediate use of the watercraft.
• Safety Equipment: Vessels must have a wearable Type I, II, III, or V life jacket (PFD) for each person, plus a type four throwable device and a fire extinguisher, especially for motorboats. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket.
• Safety Education: While not legally required for all, taking an approved boater safety course is highly recommended. AZGFD offers classroom, home study, and online formats.
• Invasive Species (AIS): Boaters must follow “Clean, Drain, and Dry” protocols to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, particularly mussels, when leaving listed waterbodies.
• Fishing Licenses: A valid fishing license is required for anyone 10 or older fishing in public waters, with options for combo licenses.
Resources
• Fish & Boat AZ App: An app for accessing boat ramps, fishing locations, and regulations.
• Registration Renewal: AZGFD boating portal.
• Safety Courses: Boater safety education.
Boaters should also be aware of specific regulations on federally controlled waters, such as the Colorado River, where additional equipment like daytime/nighttime distress signals may be required.
In Arizona, the Arizona Game And Fish Department (AZGFD) oversees all motorized watercraft registration, safety education, and law enforcement on state waterways.
Watercraft Registration
All motorized watercraft operating on Arizona waters must be registered with the AZGFD.
• Renewals: You can renew registration online for immediate use of your boat via a 45-day temporary certificate.
• Fees: Registration costs for residents vary by boat length, typically ranging from $20 to $66.
• Non-residents: You may operate for up to 90 consecutive days with a valid out-of-state registration before needing to register in Arizona.
• Exceptions: Registration is not required for non-motorized vessels (like standard canoes or kayaks) or federally documented vessels.
Boating Safety & Requirements
• No Mandatory License: Arizona does not require a boating license or mandatory operator education to drive a boat.
• Education Courses: AZGFD strongly recommends taking a Boating Safety Course. These are available as free classroom sessions or for a fee online.
• Life Jackets (PFDs): Every person on board must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits properly. Children under 12 must wear one at all times while the vessel is underway.
• Boating Sober: The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08, the same as for driving a car. Operators can be cited for being “impaired to the slightest degree”