Washington has the most granular licence structure in the country, and the reason is that the state manages a dozen genuinely different fisheries. Freshwater, saltwater, shellfish and razor clams are all priced separately, salmon and steelhead need an endorsement on top, and Puget Sound crab needs its own. The saving grace is that annual freshwater, saltwater and combination licences all include the Discover Pass, which is $51.50 of parking you would otherwise pay for.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Washington fishing fee
The licence year runs 1 April to 31 March.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combination, one day | Resident | 1 day | $14.90 |
| Combination, one day | Visitor | 1 day | $27.05 |
| Combination, two days | Resident | 2 days | $20.98 |
| Combination, two days | Visitor | 2 days | $39.19 |
| Combination, three days | Resident | 3 days | $25.53 |
| Combination, three days | Visitor | 3 days | $48.30 |
| Freshwater, senior resident 70+ | Resident | Annual | $9.59 |
| Saltwater, senior resident 70+ | Resident | Annual | $10.35 |
| Razor clam, annual | Resident | Annual | $17.44 |
| Shellfish and seaweed, annual | Resident | Annual | $21.58 |
| Razor clam, annual | Visitor | Annual | $28.07 |
| Combination, senior resident 70+ | Resident | Annual | $28.83 |
| Freshwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $39.95 |
| Saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $40.71 |
| Shellfish and seaweed, annual | Visitor | Annual | $47.39 |
| Combination, annual | Resident | Annual | $74.37 |
| Saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $81.70 |
| Fish Washington, annual Every freshwater, saltwater and shellfish privilege in one. | Resident | Annual | $101.88 |
| Freshwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $115.85 |
| Combination, annual | Visitor | Annual | $170.00 |
A catch record card is required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and Puget Sound Dungeness crab, and everyone must carry one, including anglers under 16. Washington also asks for your social security number at purchase if you are 16 or over.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Washington extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement | Required to fish for salmon or steelhead in endorsement waters. | $8.75 |
| Two-pole endorsement | — | $20.23 |
| Puget Sound crab endorsement | Required to harvest Dungeness crab in Puget Sound. $5.05 with a temporary licence. | $11.89 |
| Catch record card plus halibut | — | $7.59 |
| Discover Pass | Vehicle access to state recreation land. $11.50 for one day. Included with annual freshwater, saltwater and combination licences. | $51.50 |
| Aquatic invasive species prevention permit | — | $24.00 |
Who fishes free in Washington
- Anglers under 15. Youth aged 15 fish free but still need a catch record card for the listed species.
- Everyone on the state free fishing weekend.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
Official WDFW licensing page →
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 24 Washington waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Banks Lake — Grant County
- Cowlitz River — Cowlitz County
- Yakima River — Benton County
- Westport — Grays Harbor County
- Drano Lake — Skamania County
- Grande Ronde River — Asotin County
- Skagit River — Skagit County
- Rufus Woods Lake — Douglas County
- Potholes Reservoir — Grant County
- Kalama River — Cowlitz County
- Humptulips River — Grays Harbor County
- Riffe Lake — Lewis County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Washington?
$39.95 for a resident annual freshwater licence and $115.85 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Washington?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a Washington fishing licence online?
Yes. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
Do I need separate freshwater and saltwater licences in Washington?
Yes. Washington sells them separately, so fishing both sides means either two licences or the combined option listed in the fee table.
Do I need a catch record card in Washington?
Yes for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and Puget Sound Dungeness crab, and everyone must carry one including anglers under 16. Paper cards must be returned by the deadline even if you caught nothing.
Is the Discover Pass included with a Washington fishing licence?
With the annual freshwater, saltwater and combination licences, yes. Short-term licences do not include it, so a one-day angler parking on state land pays the $11.50 day rate separately.