Sept. 5 is “Apache Trout Day”

Arizona Game and Fish Department sent this bulletin at 09/04/2026 10:17 AM MST

Sept. 4, 2026

Sept. 5 is "Apache Trout Day"

Arizona celebrates a historic recovery story

Apache Trout in West Fork of Little Colorado River by AZGFD biologist Sam Simmons

PHOENIX—The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) joins anglers and other wildlife conservationists in celebrating Sept. 5 as “Apache Trout Day” in Arizona.

The day was established through a proclamation signed by Governor Katie Hobbs following the historic delisting of the Apache trout from the federal Endangered Species List by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Sept. 4, 2024. It commemorates the collaborative conservation work among multiple entities working toward Apache trout recovery.

"Apache Trout Day is a chance to celebrate how far this species has come and the people and partners who made that progress possible," said Julie Carter, AZGFD Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief. "Delisting was an important milestone, but our work continues to protect, enhance, and restore Apache trout across their native range."

The Apache trout, which is Arizona’s state fish, was one of the first species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Now it holds the distinction of being the first fish species to be delisted in Arizona. It is also the first sport fish and the first western native trout to ever be delisted from the Endangered Species List due to successful recovery efforts.

The Apache trout's incredible recovery is thanks to the hard work of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited, other agencies and non-governmental organizations, and dedicated anglers.

Read more about the Apache trout's historic recovery story and check out this video from 2023, when the delisting was proposed—it has great info and some beautiful trout footage.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs and activities. This agency receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the AGFD Ombudsman, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, (623) 236-7373 or Office of Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

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