Fishing in Washington
Washington is salmon, steelhead, and bottomfish at scale. The Columbia and its tributaries, the Cowlitz, Lewis, Klickitat, and Methow, run all five Pacific salmon and summer/winter steelhead. Puget Sound delivers chinook, coho, lingcod, halibut, and crab. Lake Roosevelt, Lake Chelan, and Banks Lake grow walleye, kokanee, and rainbow trout. The Olympic Peninsula's rainforest rivers, the Hoh, Quillayute, and Sol Duc, are some of the wildest steelhead water left in the lower 48. The license menu reflects the variety.
License Types & Fees
| License | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident Freshwater Annual | $39.95 |
| Resident Saltwater Annual | $40.71 |
| Resident Combination (Fresh + Salt + Shellfish) | $74.37 |
| Resident Razor Clam Annual | $17.44 |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Annual | $115.85 |
| Non-Resident Saltwater Annual | $81.70 |
| Non-Resident Combination | $170.00 |
| Two-Pole Endorsement | $20.23 |
| Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement | $8.75 |
| Puget Sound Crab Endorsement | $11.89 |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current pricing on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website before purchasing.
Fees effective January 1, 2026. Online purchases may take up to 10 days to arrive by mail; the MyWDFW and Fish Washington apps support mobile licensing.
Log Your Washington Catches
CatchVault is available on iOS. Identify species with AI, measure with LiDAR, and keep a private journal of every fish you land in Washington.
Washington Fishing License FAQ
How much does a Washington fishing license cost?
A resident freshwater annual fishing license in Washington costs $39.95. Fees vary by residency, age, and license type, see the full breakdown above for short-term, non-resident, and senior options.
Where can I buy a Washington fishing license?
Washington fishing licenses are sold online by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and are also available from authorized retailers, bait shops, and sporting goods stores across the state.
Who issues fishing licenses in Washington?
Fishing licenses in Washington are issued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.