How to Get a Fishing License in Washington State

Know the fees if you're looking to buy the Annual Freshwater license: Resident (Aged 16-69): $29.50 Non-Resident: $84.50 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $7.50 Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo , Buy an Annual Saltwater license if you prefer saltwater...

18 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Know the fees if you're looking to buy the Annual Freshwater license: Resident (Aged 16-69): $29.50 Non-Resident: $84.50 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $7.50 Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo

    A 2-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish is available.

    Resident (Aged 16-69): $15.75 Non-Resident: $28.95 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $15.75 Youth (Aged 15):
    Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled:
    Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $28.95 , A 3-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish pass is available, too.

    Resident (Aged 16-69): $19.05 Non-Resident: $35.55 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $19.05 Youth (Aged 15):
    Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled:
    Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $35.55 , You can get a 1-Day, 2-Day, or 3-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish licenses for Active Duty Military.

    This is $11.35 for the 1-day version, $15.75 for the 2-Day version, and $19.05 for the 3-Day version (non-resident pricing only; no variations)., Resident (Aged 16-69): $14.10 Non-Resident: $21.80 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $14.10 Youth (Aged 15):
    Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled:
    Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $21.80 A 3-Day Razor Clam license is also available, for $9.70 (Resident, Non-Resident, Youth, Senior, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran). , The Catch Record Card is used to estimate the recreational catch of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Puget Sound Dungeness Crab.

    It is required by law that you must have a catch record card in your possession when fishing for these species.

    If you catch one of the listed fish or crab, you are required to enter it into your catch record card before continuing to fish.

    You are required to return the card by the due date, even if you did not catch any fish or crab.

    Resident (Aged 16-69): 1st card free, additional cards $12.60/each Youth (Aged 15):
    Non Reporting Crab Admin Penalty Resident Senior, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran, Youth: $10 , Resident, Non-Resident, Youth, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $14.50 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $6.00 , Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $8.75 Resident Senior and Youth: $7.10 , Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Senior, Youth, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $8.75 Puget Sound Crab Endorsement on 1-3 Day Temp.

    Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Senior, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $3.80
  2. Step 2: Buy an Annual Saltwater license if you prefer saltwater fishing: Resident (Aged 16-69): $30.05 Non-Resident: $59.75 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $8.05 Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: Must Purchase Combo

  3. Step 3: Pay a little less if you need an Annual Shellfish/Seaweed license: Resident (Aged 16-69): $17.40 Non-Resident: $36.10 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $7.50 Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $35.00

  4. Step 4: Save by combining your licenses

  5. Step 5: if you're interested in an Annual Combo Fishing/Shellfish: Resident (Aged 16-69): $55.35 Non-Resident: $124.65 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): ---- Youth (Aged 15): $8.05 Resident Disabled: $11.35 Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $55.35

  6. Step 6: Purchase a 1-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish license if you're only fishing one day: Resident (Aged 16-69): $11.35 Non-Resident: $20.15 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $11.35 Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $20.15

  7. Step 7: Purchase a double day license if desired.

  8. Step 8: Go with the three-day option if needed.

  9. Step 9: Use your military discount if applicable.

  10. Step 10: Shop for an Annual Razor Clam license if preferred.

  11. Step 11: Use a Catch Record Card if you're fishing for salmon

  12. Step 12: steelhead

  13. Step 13: sturgeon

  14. Step 14: halibut

  15. Step 15: or Puget Sound Dungeness Crab.

  16. Step 16: Get a Two-Pole Endorsement if you need one.

  17. Step 17: Purchase a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement if you're heading there.

  18. Step 18: Buy a Puget Sound Crab Endorsement if needed.

Detailed Guide

A 2-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish is available.

Resident (Aged 16-69): $15.75 Non-Resident: $28.95 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $15.75 Youth (Aged 15):
Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled:
Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $28.95 , A 3-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish pass is available, too.

Resident (Aged 16-69): $19.05 Non-Resident: $35.55 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $19.05 Youth (Aged 15):
Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled:
Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $35.55 , You can get a 1-Day, 2-Day, or 3-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish licenses for Active Duty Military.

This is $11.35 for the 1-day version, $15.75 for the 2-Day version, and $19.05 for the 3-Day version (non-resident pricing only; no variations)., Resident (Aged 16-69): $14.10 Non-Resident: $21.80 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $14.10 Youth (Aged 15):
Must Purchase Combo Resident Disabled:
Must Purchase Combo Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $21.80 A 3-Day Razor Clam license is also available, for $9.70 (Resident, Non-Resident, Youth, Senior, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran). , The Catch Record Card is used to estimate the recreational catch of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Puget Sound Dungeness Crab.

It is required by law that you must have a catch record card in your possession when fishing for these species.

If you catch one of the listed fish or crab, you are required to enter it into your catch record card before continuing to fish.

You are required to return the card by the due date, even if you did not catch any fish or crab.

Resident (Aged 16-69): 1st card free, additional cards $12.60/each Youth (Aged 15):
Non Reporting Crab Admin Penalty Resident Senior, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran, Youth: $10 , Resident, Non-Resident, Youth, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $14.50 Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $6.00 , Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $8.75 Resident Senior and Youth: $7.10 , Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Senior, Youth, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $8.75 Puget Sound Crab Endorsement on 1-3 Day Temp.

Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Senior, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $3.80

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Sharon Parker

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