Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

When I originally inquired with The state of Arizona about keeping fish I was sent about fifity pages of regulations. As I read it all, it seemed that I had to have a license that expired annually to keep any sort of fish and would probably require an inspection. It may even require a health certification of the fish. It was all very intimidating and overwhelming.

Aquarium and tropical fish are exempt so I kept my veggies growing with just gold fish. I did find one aquarium outlet that would sell to me but they were very expensive, delivery was astronomical by UPS and only a quarter of the fish lived. I wont do that again. I looked into buying gourami but they are a tropical and rquire 70 deg. water to live. Even in the greenhouse my water drops to 50 deg F. in winter. Setting up solar heating will help but probably not enough.

After reading in BYAP about bluegill I did some research. A perfiect fish and one that, if sorted by size, could grow out for the table in a year. Particularly if I can heat the water some in winter. I spoke with out of state fish hatchers and none would ship unless I had a permit. Further they dont ship to Arizona because of the heath certificate and license provisions are expensive. I finally located an outfit in Arizona that will deliver bluegill with a stocking permit. They are located clear across the state but sell bait fish in Las Vegas and pass within 15 miles of my place. The prices are reasonable. Brown's fish farm in Safford Az.

A stocking permit is issued by the State fish and game dept. and free. No inspection or license rquired for an individual, noncommercial operation. It is good for only one or two species and expires in 20 days. This document allows me to buy and keep bluegill without breaking the law and without all the hassle of licensing and inspection, health certificate.

The purpose of the stocking permit is to limit stocking fish that may endanger game fish in sport fishing waters. but still allow people to stock their ponds. I am in the middle of the desert 30 miles from any body of water or stream. I doubt that Arizona is unique with this ruling. I remember BYAP people from New Mexico, Califonia, and Nevada complaining about their state's fish laws. These are neighboring states and may have similar "Stocking Permit" rquirments that allow you to keep tailapia or whatever. Check it out!

It is really cool that you have found a way!!!!!!! Knew there had to be one since people like to stock their farm ponds.

My tilapia permit is annuall and expires every June. But is definitely not for stocking ponds, only indoor tanks protected from Wildlife, Birds and Vandels and must be above the flood plain. So like aquarium fish I can keep them indoors or in a protected green house.
Good luck with the Blue Gill. They are fun to feed and watch them frenzy! They love bugs!

Thanks for posting this. I've had problems figuring out what the rules about fish were. And it's really easy to get frustrated with finding the right thing on Arizona's game and park's page.