Finish Your Washington License Before the Trip
Buying online is only the first step. Washington anglers must also choose the correct license year, water type, catch record cards, endorsements and paper or mobile format.
This guide helps you recover the right WILD account, compare real 2026 prices, renew without duplicating a license, print one-time cards safely and prepare valid proof before reaching the water.
Washington License Help by Real User Problem
Do You Need to Buy, Renew or Reprint?
No current privilege
Purchase the base license and every required endorsement or catch record card for the current license year.
Old license year expired
Use the existing WILD profile and buy the new April 1–March 31 product. Renewal is not an automatic extension.
Current license already exists
Open the active privileges or order history. Do not buy the same license again merely because the paper was lost.
Calendar warning: Washington’s license year runs April 1 through March 31, while the main sport-fishing rules pamphlet runs July 1 through June 30. Check both the license year and the regulation year.
Build a Likely Washington License Stack
The live WILD catalog commonly shows product base prices. WDFW’s public fee table may look about $2 higher for a single item because applicable transaction fees are included. This calculator adds one estimated $2 transaction fee to the selected group.
Washington Fishing License Cost Calculator
Do not compare unlike numbers: a WILD catalog base price and a WDFW fee-table total can both be correct when one excludes and the other includes transaction fees.
Washington Fishing License Prices for 2026–27
Annual Base Products
| Product | Resident base | Nonresident base | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater | $37.95 | $113.85 | Freshwater fishing; species-specific cards and endorsements may remain separate. |
| Saltwater | $38.71 | $79.70 | Saltwater finfish; shellfish and Puget Sound crab are separate unless another product includes them. |
| Combination | $72.37 | $168.00 | Freshwater, saltwater, shellfish, razor clams and seaweed. |
| Shellfish/Seaweed | $19.58 | $45.39 | Many shellfish and seaweed activities; Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement remains separate. |
| Razor Clam | $15.44 | $26.07 | Annual razor-clam harvesting only. |
| Fish Washington with CRSSE | $98.38 | Not offered as the same package | Combination license, Two-Pole, Puget Sound crab and Columbia River salmon/steelhead privileges. |
Short-Term Base Prices
| Product | Resident base | Nonresident base | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-day combination | $12.90 | $25.05 | Covers one selected day; endorsements can remain separate. |
| 2-day combination | $18.98 | $37.19 | Must be used on consecutive days. |
| 3-day combination | $23.53 | $46.30 | Must be used on consecutive days. |
| 3-day razor clam | $9.79 | $9.79 | Razor clams only; an approved dig must be open. |
April restriction: one-, two- and three-day combination licenses are not valid for game fish during the eight-day period beginning on the fourth Saturday in April, except for qualifying active-duty resident military personnel.
Common Add-On Base Prices
| Add-on | Base amount | When needed |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement | $6.75 | Age 16+ fishing for salmon or steelhead in covered Columbia waters; total commonly displays as $8.75 with fee. |
| Two-Pole Endorsement | $18.23 | Using two poles only where the water permits it. |
| Puget Sound Crab — annual | $9.89 | Puget Sound Dungeness crab with an annual qualifying license. |
| Puget Sound Crab — temporary | $3.05 | Puget Sound Dungeness crab with a qualifying temporary license. |
| Standard catch record card | Free | Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and covered fishing. |
| Halibut catch record card | $5.59 | Halibut fishing; a transaction fee can increase the displayed total. |
After comparing products, use the live WILD product catalog to confirm current base prices.
WDFW also publishes a fishing license types and total-fee table that explains coverage, residency and applicable fees.
Which Washington Fishing License Should You Buy?
Freshwater
Choose this for trout, bass, kokanee and other freshwater fishing. Catch cards and Columbia endorsements can still be required.
Saltwater
Choose this for saltwater finfish. It does not automatically include shellfish, seaweed or Puget Sound crab.
Combination
Choose when freshwater, saltwater and shellfish activities may all occur during the license year.
Shellfish/Seaweed
Useful for many shellfish activities, but Puget Sound Dungeness crab requires its separate endorsement and catch record card.
Razor Clam
Buy only when razor clams are the activity. Combination and Shellfish/Seaweed already include razor-clam privilege.
Fish Washington with CRSSE
Useful for residents who expect to need combination coverage, Puget Sound crab, Two-Pole and Columbia salmon/steelhead privileges.
How to Buy or Renew Online
Find the Existing WILD Profile
Check an old Washington license for the WILD ID. Use the same legal name, date of birth, email and phone information instead of creating another profile.
Confirm Residency and Age
Select resident pricing only when the angler meets Washington requirements. Customers age 16 or older must provide required Social Security number information before purchase.
Choose the 2026–27 License Year
For fishing from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, select the 2026 season. Do not buy an expiring product for an April trip.
Select the Base Product
Choose annual freshwater, saltwater, combination, shellfish, razor clam, Fish Washington or the correct short-term combination product.
Add Cards and Endorsements
Add the Columbia endorsement, Puget Sound crab endorsement, Two-Pole Endorsement and halibut catch record card only when the location and species require them.
Choose Paper or Mobile
Do not click quickly. Mobile-to-paper switching is not available until the next license year after a mobile purchase is completed.
Review and Complete Checkout
- Correct customer and WILD ID
- Correct license year
- Correct resident status
- Correct base license
- Correct catch record cards
- Correct endorsements
- Correct paper or mobile format
- Current email and mailing address
After preparing every selection, use the official WDFW WILD licensing system to complete the purchase.
Fishing Today or Tomorrow?
| What you need | Fastest practical route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary paper license only | Buy online and use Print Documents when available. | Eligible ordinary licenses can be printed from the WILD account. |
| Mobile license | Buy under a mobile profile, sign in to the app and use Sync Account. | Privileges should appear electronically after a successful purchase and internet sync. |
| Paper catch record card | Print carefully at home or visit a dealer/WDFW office. | A temporary emailed license does not substitute for a catch record card. |
| No printer available | Use a participating license dealer. | Dealers can print standard-paper products and provide immediate paper help. |
Do not start salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut or Puget Sound crab fishing with only an email receipt. The required catch record card must also be available.
Use WDFW’s official license dealer locator when immediate physical printing is necessary.
Paper License or Mobile License?
| Feature | Mobile customer | Paper customer |
|---|---|---|
| License display | MyWDFW or Fish Washington app | Printed standard-paper document |
| Catch recording | Electronic catch record card | Handwritten paper catch card |
| Offline use | Entries can be stored offline and synced later. | Works without a phone, battery or service. |
| End-of-season reporting | Catch entries submit electronically. | Mail the card by the applicable deadline. |
| Switching | Cannot return to paper until the next license year. | One switch to mobile may be requested when physical cards and tags remain unused. |
Switching From Paper to Mobile
- Confirm all paper tags and catch record cards are unused.
- Mark the documents void as instructed.
- Photograph the unused, voided documents.
- Email licensing@dfw.wa.gov.
- Use the subject line “Switch from paper to mobile.”
- Wait for approval before relying on the app.
Switching From Mobile to Paper
After selecting mobile and completing a purchase, the customer cannot switch back to paper until the next April 1 license year.
Choose paper when: the angler does not reliably carry a charged compatible phone, dislikes in-field app entry or will be fishing in harsh wet and cold conditions without backup power.
Review the official MyWDFW paper-versus-mobile instructions before making the first purchase.
How to Print a Washington Fishing License at Home
- Sign in to the correct WILD account.
- Select View and Print Active Privileges.
- Select Print Documents.
- Use standard 8.5-by-11-inch paper.
- Confirm scale, orientation, ink and page count.
- Check the customer name, license year and endorsements.
- Place field documents in a waterproof sleeve.
Documents With Unlimited Reprints
- Recreational fishing licenses
- Vehicle Access Passes
- Eligible harvester cards
- Eligible companion cards
Single-Print Fishing Documents
Paper fish and crab catch record cards are single-print items. Test the printer before selecting the final print command.
Blank or damaged print: do not repeatedly attempt to print a second catch card or buy another product. Save the order number and contact WDFW Licensing.
Use the official WDFW print-at-home guide immediately before printing a single-use card.
How to Complete a Washington Catch Record Card
A catch record card is required when fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut or Puget Sound Dungeness crab. Carry the card before fishing and record retained catch immediately.
What the Paper Card Asks You to Record
| Species | Common card fields | Practical reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon | Catch-area code, month, day, salmon type and clip status when requested | Use the current area code and record only retained fish. |
| Steelhead | Catch-area code, month, day and required hatchery/wild information | Check the current regulation before retaining any steelhead. |
| Sturgeon | Area code, date, species code and total length | Measure and identify the fish correctly before retention. |
| Halibut | Area code, date and charter/private boat selection | Use the paid halibut catch record card. |
| Puget Sound Dungeness crab | Marine area, date, one box per retained crab and charter/private information | Record crab before redeploying the gear. |
Paper Reporting Deadlines
| Card | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fish catch record card | April 30 following the license year |
| Summer Puget Sound crab card | October 1 following the summer season |
| Winter Puget Sound crab card | February 1 following the winter season |
Zero catch must still be reported. Return the paper card even when the angler did not fish or retained nothing.
Electronic Catch Recording
- Update and sign in to MyWDFW or Fish Washington before leaving service.
- Open the home screen immediately after retaining the fish or crab.
- Select Add Catch/Harvest.
- Select the correct active electronic card.
- Enter the required water, date and species information.
- Submit the entry before continuing to fish or redeploying gear.
Offline entries remain on the device and sync after service returns. Enforcement or catch-sampling staff may scan the app barcode to capture the WILD ID; the scan does not collect other personal information.
Mobile crab no-catch survey: a mobile crab endorsement holder with no electronic entries may still have to complete the end-of-season no-catch declaration. Failure can produce a $10 fine.
Read WDFW’s current catch record card and eCRC rules.
Paper users can also review the official catch record card instruction PDF. Current regulations control when an older example differs.
WDFW CRC UnitPO Box 43142
Olympia, WA 98504-3142
Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement
Beginning January 1, 2026, anglers age 15 and older generally need the CRSSE to fish for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and more than 50 listed Washington tributaries and waters.
| Angler or activity | Endorsement answer | Other item |
|---|---|---|
| Age 16+ targeting salmon or steelhead in a covered water | Required | License and catch record card |
| Age 15 targeting salmon or steelhead in a covered water | Required at youth rate | Catch record card even though ordinary license is generally not required |
| Bass, walleye, trout, shad or sturgeon only | Not required solely for those species | Correct license and any species-specific card |
| Fish Washington with CRSSE package | Included | Catch record card still required for salmon and steelhead |
Use the official CRSSE water list and maps to confirm the exact river, lake or tributary.
Crab, Shellfish and Razor-Clam License Help
Puget Sound Dungeness Crab
The base Shellfish/Seaweed or Combination privilege is not enough by itself. Add the Puget Sound crab endorsement and use the correct paper or electronic crab catch record card.
Coastal Dungeness Crab
The Shellfish/Seaweed or Combination license covers coastal Dungeness crab. WDFW does not require the Puget Sound catch card for the coastal management area, including Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and the Columbia River estuary.
Razor Clams
An annual or three-day razor-clam license is sufficient when razor clams are the only activity. A Combination or Shellfish/Seaweed license already contains razor-clam privilege.
A license does not open the beach. Confirm an approved razor-clam dig, beach opening and Department of Health biotoxin status before travelling.
Shrimp, Clams, Oysters and Other Shellfish
Check the exact marine area, open dates, gear rules, daily limits, separate-container rules and health closures. Shrimp openings can be limited to a few hours on specific dates.
Who Needs a License and Who May Pay Less?
Age Rules
Anglers age 16 and older generally need the appropriate Washington fishing license. Anglers age 15 and younger generally do not need the ordinary license, but catch record cards and the Columbia endorsement can still apply.
Releasing every fish generally does not remove the requirement to be licensed. See our catch-and-release fishing license guide for the broader rule.
Resident Status
- Maintain a permanent Washington abode for at least 90 days before purchase.
- Hold qualifying Washington identification or military orders.
- Do not claim resident hunting or fishing privileges in another state.
- Contact WDFW when the standard documents do not clearly prove residency.
Resident Senior Pricing
Qualifying residents age 70 or older receive reduced freshwater, saltwater, combination, shellfish and package prices automatically through the correct WILD profile.
Non-Veteran Reduced-Fee Application
The official form requires applicant information, signature and certification from an MD, ARNP or PA with documented knowledge of the permanent disability. The PDF states that reduced-fee approval is separate from WDFW disability status and assistance programs.
- Complete the applicant section and WILD ID when known.
- Have the qualified medical professional complete and sign the certification.
- Sign the applicant certification.
- Mail to WDFW Licensing Division, PO Box 43154, Olympia, WA 98504.
- Or fax to 360-902-2466.
- Allow approximately two weeks for processing.
After reviewing the process, download the official non-veteran reduced-fee application PDF.
Veteran Reduced-Fee Application
Qualifying resident and nonresident veterans must provide the signed application and a one-page VA disability percentage rating letter showing the applicant’s name and rating.
Do not submit the multi-page medical determination report. The veterans PDF says WDFW cannot process documents containing medical diagnosis information and will return them.
Use the official veteran reduced-fee application PDF after obtaining the correct one-page VA rating letter.
Vehicle Access Pass vs Discover Pass
Vehicle Access Pass
Included with many annual fishing products for eligible WDFW-managed access sites. Print it and display it on the vehicle dashboard.
Discover Pass
Used at covered Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources lands and participating WDFW lands.
The fishing license stays with the angler. The access pass is the document displayed in the vehicle.
Use WDFW’s official parking and access pass comparison for the property you plan to visit.
Bought the Wrong License or Paid Twice?
| Problem | Best first action |
|---|---|
| Duplicate license of the same type | Do not use both. Contact Licensing with both order numbers. |
| System or dealer error | Contact WDFW immediately and keep the receipt. |
| Wrong product bought moments ago | Call immediately; some refund situations have a very short correction window. |
| Changed trip plans | Do not assume a refund is available once the season or opportunity existed. |
| Wrong mobile/paper choice | Use the separate format-switch rules rather than buying the products again. |
Do not edit a license yourself. Name, birth date, residency, license-year or product errors should be corrected through WDFW.
Washington Online License Troubleshooting
| Problem | Check first | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot find WILD account | Old license, legal name, birth date, old email and WILD ID. | Contact Licensing before creating another profile. |
| License missing in app | Correct WILD username and internet connection. | Choose Sync Account in the app menu. |
| Paper card printed badly | Order confirmation and saved PDF. | Contact Licensing before attempting another single print. |
| Paper selected by mistake | Whether any tag or card was used. | Request the one paper-to-mobile switch when eligible. |
| Mobile selected by mistake | Whether the first purchase was completed. | Mobile-to-paper is unavailable until the next license year. |
| Lost catch card | Every retained fish or crab previously entered. | Contact WDFW and preserve the catch information for replacement and reporting. |
WDFW Support Script
“Hello, I need help with a Washington fishing license. The angler’s name is [name], date of birth is [date], and WILD ID is [number, if known]. The license year is 2026–27. My issue is [account recovery, duplicate purchase, wrong product, paper/mobile choice, printing or catch record card]. What must be corrected before fishing?”
Official WDFW License Links
This is an independent guide and is not operated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Buy or Renew
Use after selecting the license year, products, cards and format.
Verify Prices
Compare license types, totals, age columns and reduced fees.
Print Documents
Review unlimited and single-print documents first.
Find a Dealer
Use for immediate paper-card or in-person help.
Set Up Mobile Licensing
Review enrollment, syncing and switching rules.
Check Catch Cards
Review eCRC, paper and reporting deadlines.
Check Current Regulations
Open the exact water and emergency changes.
Use Fish Washington
Check water-specific regulations and electronic cards.
WDFW Licensing Contact
Washington Department of Fish and WildlifeLicensing Division
PO Box 43154
Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: 360-902-2464
Toll-free: 866-246-9453
Email: licensing@dfw.wa.gov
App support: AppSupport@dfw.wa.gov
Reduced-fee fax: 360-902-2466
Washington Fishing License Online FAQs
Where can I buy a Washington fishing license online?
Buy through the official Washington WILD licensing system. Licenses are also available by telephone, through the MyWDFW or Fish Washington app purchase flow and from authorized license dealers.
How much is a Washington resident fishing license in 2026?
The live 2026 WILD catalog lists base prices of $37.95 for resident freshwater, $38.71 for resident saltwater and $72.37 for resident combination. Transaction and card-processing fees can increase the checkout total.
How much is a Washington nonresident fishing license in 2026?
The live 2026 WILD catalog lists base prices of $113.85 for nonresident freshwater, $79.70 for nonresident saltwater and $168 for nonresident combination. Short-term products are also available.
How do I renew a Washington fishing license?
Washington annual fishing licenses follow the April 1 through March 31 license year. Renew by purchasing the correct product for the new license year through the existing WILD account.
Can I print my Washington fishing license at home?
Yes. Paper customers can print eligible documents on standard letter-size paper from the WILD account. Catch record cards are single-print documents, so confirm the printer before printing.
Can I show my Washington fishing license on my phone?
Yes, when the customer selected mobile licensing. Active licenses and electronic catch record cards can be displayed through MyWDFW or Fish Washington.
Can I switch from a paper Washington fishing license to mobile?
A paper customer may request one switch to mobile during the license year when physical tags and catch record cards remain unused. Unused documents must be voided and submitted as directed by WDFW.
Who needs a Washington catch record card?
A catch record card is required when fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut or Puget Sound Dungeness crab. The requirement also applies to anglers younger than 16.
What is the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement?
Anglers age 15 and older generally need the annual endorsement when fishing for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and listed Washington tributaries. It is separate from the catch record card.
What should I do if I need a catch record card immediately?
Temporary emailed licenses do not replace catch record cards. Use print-at-home when the card is available and the printer works, or visit an authorized license dealer or WDFW office for immediate paper help.
Final Washington Online License Checklist
- The correct 2026–27 license year is selected.
- The correct existing WILD profile is being used.
- Resident status and age are correct.
- The base product covers the planned water and activity.
- Short-term dates are consecutive and cover the complete trip.
- The April short-term game-fish restriction was checked.
- The Columbia endorsement was added when required.
- The Puget Sound crab endorsement was added when required.
- The correct fish, halibut or crab catch card is available.
- The Two-Pole Endorsement is legal on the chosen water.
- The paper or mobile format fits the angler.
- Single-print cards were printed successfully.
- Mobile privileges were synced before leaving service.
- The phone is charged or paper proof is protected.
- The correct parking pass is displayed.
- Current permanent and emergency rules were checked.
Final authority: the live WILD cart, active WDFW license record, issued catch card and current emergency rules control over any third-party guide.