Washington Fishing License and Regulations
License fees, endorsements, catch record cards, the statewide freshwater table and marine basics from the 2026-27 WDFW pamphlet.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Outer coast (Pacific Ocean): Bernd Thaller, CC BY 2.0
Which anglers need a Washington fishing license
Adult Anglers: If 16 years or older, you are required to have in your possession a valid mobile or paper license and catch record cards (CRC), as well as any endorsements needed to fish for specific species and in specific areas. See license information below to determine what documents you need. Federal and state law requires persons 15 or older to give their Social Security Number in order to obtain a license (Federal Law US Code: Title 42, Section 666, Paragraph 13, Section A; and RCW 77.32.014).
Youth Anglers: Youth under 16 years old DO NOT need a fishing license, however CRCs are required for specific species and included with a free youth license. Exception, effective January 1, 2026 anglers age 15 fishing for salmon or steelhead on the Columbia River or its tributaries require the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement. If you elect to getting both, you must have valid mobile or paper license of both in your possession while participating in the activity. See Catch Record C
You DO NOT need a license to fish for common carp in Moses Lake or Vancouver Lake, to harvest bullfrogs, or to collect relic shells.
Printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), as posted on eRegulations; read October 31, 2026.
Washington annual fishing licenses, April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
| License | Resident 16+ | Nonresident | Resident 70+ | Reduced fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get Outdoors | $330.54 | not sold | $142.36 | $193.44 |
| Fish Washington | $101.88 | not sold | $49.85 | $47.98 |
| Combination | $74.37 | $170.00 | $28.83 | $12.89 |
| Freshwater | $39.95 | $115.85 | $9.59 | not sold |
| Saltwater | $40.71 | $81.70 | $10.35 | not sold |
| Shellfish/Seaweed | $21.58 | $47.39 | $13.99 | not sold |
| Razor Clam | $17.44 | $28.07 | $17.44 | not sold |
Prices shown include all applicable fees. Purchasing multiple items in the same transaction may result in a reduced cost.
Duplicate licenses are $9.70 (duplicates are required for lost, stolen or mutilated licenses).
License fees as printed on the eRegulations Washington license fee page, read October 31, 2026; “not sold” means the pamphlet lists no price for that buyer.
One-, two- and three-day Washington licenses
| License | Resident 16+ | Nonresident | Resident 70+ | Reduced fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day Combination | $14.90 | $27.05 | $14.90 | not sold |
| 2 Day Combination | $20.98 | $39.19 | $20.98 | not sold |
| 3 Day Combination | $25.53 | $48.30 | $25.53 | not sold |
| 3 Day Razor Clam | $11.79 | $11.79 | $11.79 | $11.79 |
Annual Fishing Licenses (Valid April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027)
Endorsements and catch record cards sold with a Washington license
| Item | Resident 16+ | Nonresident | Resident 70+ | Reduced fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Pole Endorsement | $20.23 | $20.23 | $8.09 | $20.23 |
| Puget Sound Crab Endorsement to use with an annual license | $11.89 | $11.89 | $11.89 | $11.89 |
| Puget Sound Crab Endorsement to use with a temporary license | $5.05 | $5.05 | $5.05 | not sold |
| Columbia River Salmon Steelhead Endorsement | $8.75 | $8.75 | $7.10 | $8.75 |
| Catch Record Card | free | free | free | free |
| Catch Record Card + Halibut | $7.59 | $7.59 | $7.59 | $7.59 |
Catch Record Card (CRC): All persons are required to have a catch record card (CRC) to record how many salmon, steelhead, Puget Sound Dungeness crab, or sturgeon you have harvested. You must have the CRC or electronic CRC on your person while fishing. This item is required during Free Fishing Weekend. Reference the bottom of your CRC for more reporting information. See more details on CRC.
Two-Pole Endorsement: All anglers 16 years and older who want to fish with two poles must have this endorsement. This endorsement can be added to any annual or short-term license for a fee, excluding the shellfish/seaweed or razor clam license. This endorsement allows anglers to use two fishing poles on most freshwater lakes, ponds, a few sections of certain rivers, and a few marine areas. You can NOT use two poles in most rivers and marine areas. See individual stream and marine area listings for information where
Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement: All anglers age 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead on the Columbia River or its tributaries must have this endorsement.
Discover Pass and the invasive species permit
| Pass or permit | Resident 16+ | Nonresident | Resident 70+ | Reduced fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover Pass | $51.50 | $51.50 | $51.50 | $51.50 |
| One-Day Discover Pass | $11.50 | $11.50 | $11.50 | $11.50 |
| Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit | $24.00 | $24.00 | $24.00 | $24.00 |
WDFW water access sites take a Vehicle Access Pass, which comes with most annual fishing licenses; State Parks and DNR lands take the Discover Pass.
Who counts as a Washington resident, and who pays less
To qualify as a Washington state resident, you must meet certain criteria per WAC 220-220-050: Have a valid Washington state driver's license or identification card; and Have maintained a permanent place of abode within the state for at least 90 days preceding the license purchase; and Are not licensed to hunt or fish as a resident in another state or country or Have military identification with a copy of orders showing Washington as your current duty station
Reduced-fee buyers: Resident or non-resident veteran with a service-connected disability of 30% or more; Resident or non-resident veteran 65 years or older with any service-connected disability; Resident who permanently uses a wheelchair; Resident who is blind or visually impaired; Resident with a developmental disability
Printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), as posted on eRegulations; read October 31, 2026.
Washington statewide freshwater species rules, 2026-27
| Species | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Largemouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only 1 smallmouth bass over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Burbot (Freshwater Ling) | No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, Catfish (E | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Grass Carp | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
| Kokanee | No min. size. Daily limit 10. When fishing with bait, all kokanee that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Tiger Muskellunge (Tiger Muskie) | Min. size 50". Daily limit 1. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Whitefish | No min. size. Daily limit 15. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Steelhead | Release all wild steelhead. Min. size 20". Daily limit 2. Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed. | Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Gray | In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Gray | In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Year-round (statewide lake season, p.23) |
| Trout (combined rivers and lakes same day) | The combined daily limit for an angler that fishes in both rivers and lakes on the same day is 5 trout, no more than 2 may be from rivers. | see the pamphlet |
| Lake Trout | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Eastern Brook Trout (EBT) | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Dolly Varden/Bull Trout | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
| Common Carp | No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. May also be taken by spear or bow-and-arrow. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons. | Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons |
| Shad | No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons except Apr. 1-May 15: closed in the mainstem Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. | Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons |
| Salmon | Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained. Possession limit – 2 daily limits in fresh form. An additional 40 pounds of salmon may be possessed in frozen or p | Closed unless listed in Special Rules (p.23: all freshwater areas are closed to fishing for salmon) |
| Forage Fish (herring, sardines, sand lance, anchovies, smelt) | No min. size. Daily limit is 10 lbs. in the aggregate with herring, sardines, sand lance, anchovies, and all species of smelt (including surf smelt, eulachon, longfin smelt, night smelt, or whitebait). Possession limit – | see the pamphlet |
| White Sturgeon | Min. size 38" fork length in waters downstream of The Dalles Dam, and min. size 43" fork length in waters upstream of The Dalles Dam. Max. size 54" fork length. Daily limit 1. Possession limit: is 2 daily limits in a fre | Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons unless noted in special rules |
| White Sturgeon | Catch-and-release only. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons unless specifically noted in special rules. | Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons |
| Green Sturgeon | It is unlawful to fish for or retain green sturgeon. | Closed |
| Lamprey (Pacific, western brook, river) | It is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess Pacific lamprey, western brook lamprey, or river lamprey or to use any species of lamprey as fishing bait. | Closed |
| Northern Pike | No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. Must be dead before being removed from riparian area (immediate vicinity of water body). | see the pamphlet |
| Other Fish Not Classified as Game Fish or Food Fish | Closed. See definitions. | Closed |
| Bullfrogs | (no license required) No min. size. No daily limit. Must be taken by angling, hand-dip netting, spearing (gigging), or with bow-and-arrow. | see the pamphlet |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026.
Seasons, hours, tackle and bait in Washington fresh water
- All freshwater areas are closed to fishing for salmon, Dolly Varden/bull trout, lamprey, and grass carp. Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs are open to fishing for game fish (except Dolly Varden/bull trout and grass carp) year-round. Rivers, streams and beaver ponds are open the Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31. Beaver ponds located within or connected to streams listed as open to trout and other game fish follow the same rulesseasons
- If a freshwater area is not listed in Special Rules, follow the Statewide Freshwater Rules.waters not listed
- Freshwater areas are open 24 hours per day when open.hours
- Hook and line angling only. Barbed or barbless hooks may be used, and a hook may be single-point, double, or treble, but not more than one line with up to three hooks per angler may be used.tackle
- It is unlawful to possess or use live aquatic animals as bait, except:live bait
- Possession limit for game fish is 2 daily limits in any form.possession
Printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), as posted on eRegulations; read October 31, 2026.
Hours, barbless hooks and vessel limits on Washington marine water
- During an open season, marine waters are open 24 hours per day, except as noted for night closures.hours
- Salmon – Single-point barbless hooks and a hand-held rod and line must be used.salmon gear
- Barbless Hooks – are required for all species in Marine Areas 5-13, except forage fish jig gear. When fishing for salmon in Areas 1-13, single-point barbless hooks must be used.barbless
- Rockfish – It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess yelloweye rockfish in all Marine Areas in 2026. Check the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut for 2027 yelloweye rockfish rules. It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess rockfish in Areas 6-13.rockfish
- Halibut – Two daily limits in any form, except only one limit while aboard a fishing vessel. Annual limit is 6. You may not land both a Canadian and a Washington limit of halibut the same day (one or the other, but not both).halibut
- Vessel Limits Marine areas 1-6: Anglers aboard a boat may only possess one daily limit of fish or shellfish in fresh form.vessel limits
- Shark closure – Closed to fishing for, retention, or possession of sixgill, sevengill, and thresher sharks. Sixgill shark may not be removed from the water.sharks
Snagging, dams and sale rules in Washington
- Snag or attempt to snag fish. (You May Not)snagging
- Fish for (unless authorized by Special Rules) or harass fish within 400 feet downstream of a man-made dam, fish ladder, or other obstruction, or in rearing, holding, or passage facilities.near dams
- You may not offer any recreationally-caught fish or Shellfish for sale or barter.no sale
- Only one single-point barbless hook and bait is allowed when fishing for sturgeon. In the field, eggs must be retained with intact carcass of fish from which they came. Night closure in effect for all sturgeon. Any sturgeon not to be retained must be released immediately. Sturgeon over 55" fork length cannot be removed totally or in part from the water.sturgeon gear
What changed in the Washington rules for 2026-27
| Topic | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Two-Pole Endorsement Minimum Age | Age 15 and older | Minimum age raised to 16 |
| Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) | Not required | required for anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries, effective Jan. 1, 2026 |
| Fish Washington License (Annual, Resident) | $94.15 | Increased to $101.88 |
| Get Outdoors License (Annual, Resident) | $322.98 | Increased to $330.54 |
| Electronic Catch Record Cards (eCRC) | Not available | New as of April 1, 2026: eCRCs available for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut |
| Chehalis River – Catch Record Card Code 316 | Chehalis River was not divided at the Hwy. 107 Bridge | New code 316 covers the Chehalis River below the Hwy. 107 Bridge |
| Chehalis River – Catch Record Card Code 317 | Chehalis River was not divided at the Hwy. 107 Bridge | New code 317 covers the Chehalis River from the Hwy. 107 Bridge to the Black River |
| CRSSE Requirement – Abernathy, Blue, Cedar (Clark Co.), Cispus, Coal, Coweeman, and Cowlit | Not required | New for 2026: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead |
| Cle Elum River | Open from the mouth to Cle Elum Dam | Open only from the mouth to the green bridge near the salmon viewing trailhead; closed above the bridge to the dam |
| Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) | Not required | New for 2026: required for anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead in all Columbia River reaches |
| CRSSE Requirement – Elochoman, Entiat, Grays, Green (Cowlitz Co.), Kalama, and Klickitat | Not required | New for 2026: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead |
| CRSSE Requirement – Lewis, Methow Tributaries, and Mill Creek (Lewis Co.) | Not required | New for 2026: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead |
| CRSSE Requirement – Palouse, Rock Creek (Skamania Co.), and Salmon Creek (Clark Co.) | Not required | New for 2026: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead |
| CRSSE Requirement – Tilton, Touchet, Toutle (and forks), Washougal, White Salmon, Wind, an | Not required | New for 2026: Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead |
| Cle Elum Lake – Kokanee | Open; minimum size 9 inches, maximum size 15 inches, daily limit 5 | Closed to kokanee fishing |
| Badger Lake – Season End | Season ended Sept. 30 | Season extended to Oct. 31 |
| Fan Lake – Season End | Season ended Sept. 30 | Season extended to Oct. 31 |
| West Medical Lake – Season End | Season ended Sept. 30 | Season extended to Oct. 31 |
| Williams Lake (Spokane Co.) – Season End | Season ended Sept. 30 | Season extended to Oct. 31 |
| Get Outdoors License (Annual, Resident) | $322.98 | Increased to $330.54 |
| Fish Washington License (Annual, Resident) | $94.15 | Increased to $101.88 |
| Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) | Not offered | New for 2026: $8.75 (adult and nonresident); $7.10 (senior and youth) |
| Two-Pole Endorsement Minimum Age | Age 15 and older | Minimum age raised to 16 |
| License Document Format | Physical documents only | Now available on a mobile device or on paper; catch record cards and tags print once, other documents can be printed as many times as needed |
Change notes as printed on eRegulations for the 2026-27 pamphlet, read October 31, 2026; 49 more water-specific changes are folded into the Special Rules tables.
Why the pamphlet is not the last word
Emergency rules may occur throughout the year and will supersede the rules contained in this pamphlet. Changes can be found by contacting statewide customer service (360) 902-2700, or by visiting the WDFW website https://wdfw.wa.gov.
This guide prints the pamphlet as published; it does not carry in-season emergency rules, so check them with WDFW before a trip.
- Marine area rulessalmon, bottomfish and halibut by area
- Special Rules by waterlakes and rivers with rules of their own
- Columbia River rulesthe Oregon line and its CRC areas
- Free Fishing Weekendtwo June days without a license for most fish
- Protected speciesfish that may not be kept or targeted
The species in Washington Fishing License and Regulations, pictured
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Pengo, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: William Rosmus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Photo: Oregon State University, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: NPS Natural Resources, Public domain
Photo: Olympic National Park, Public domain
Washington licenses and limits, the questions that come up most
At what age does a Washington angler need a license?
Everyone 16 or older; anglers under 16 fish without one but still carry a free catch record card for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and Puget Sound crab.
What does a resident Fish Washington license cost?
$101.88 for the April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 license year; it bundles freshwater, saltwater, shellfish and the endorsements.
How much is a freshwater license?
A resident pays $39.95 and a nonresident $115.85 for the April to March license year.
What does a saltwater license cost?
Washington residents pay $40.71; anglers from elsewhere pay $81.70, both good through March 31, 2027.
What is the Two-Pole Endorsement?
$20.23 for most buyers; it allows two poles on most lakes and a few river sections and marine areas, and since 2026 it is sold only to anglers 16 and older.
Who needs the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement?
Anglers 15 and older fishing for salmon or steelhead on the Columbia River or its tributaries; it costs $8.75 for resident adults.
What is the statewide largemouth bass rule?
No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5.
How many trout may I keep from a Washington lake?
In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
What is the walleye rule?
Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession.
Do I need a Discover Pass to fish?
Not to fish, but parking at State Parks and DNR land takes one ($51.50 a year or $11.50 a day); WDFW access sites use the Vehicle Access Pass that comes with most licenses.