FishingLicenseCheck

Washington fishing license

Washington requires a recreational fishing license from age 16. The state licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. The current license year is 2026-2027 (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027).

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife · Reviewed July 30, 2026

Your trip in Washington

Washington does not set different license requirements by where you fish from, so we do not ask.

Your likely official license

Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Washington, the official match is Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License.

Published cost for this trip$27.05
  • Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License$27.05 · One-day short-term combination license.

What it covers

  • Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License — freshwater and saltwater. WDFW out-the-door price for the Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License: $27.05, effective January 1, 2026; prices shown include all applicable fees.Limits on this license: Short-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.

Required add-ons

No stamp or endorsement is attached to this licence for your residency, age and trip length. Check “You may also need” below for requirements that depend on where and what you fish.

You may also need

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.

  • Catch Record Card — "If you're fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab, a catch record card is required to track your harvest. Everyone, including those younger than 16, must carry a catch record card when fishing for these species." WDFW lists the basic Catch Record Card at no charge. · No charge (a report card, not a paid stamp)
  • Two-Pole Endorsement — Required of "All anglers who want to fish with two poles" on most freshwater lakes, ponds, select river sections and some marine areas, except during Free Fishing Weekend. · $20.23
  • Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) — "Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, all anglers age 15 and older must purchase a Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement (CRSSE) to fish recreationally for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and many of its Washington tributaries." · $8.75

Why this answer

  1. You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
  2. Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License covers the full trip: One-day short-term combination license.
Other options you are eligible for
  • Non-resident 2-Day Combination Fishing License — $39.19 for this trip · Two-day short-term combination license.Short-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.
  • Non-resident 3-Day Combination Fishing License — $48.30 for this trip · Three-day short-term combination license.Short-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.
  • Non-resident Annual Freshwater Fishing License — $115.85 for this trip · License year runs April 1 through March 31."Allows you to fish in freshwater areas only."
  • Non-resident Annual Combination Fishing License — $170 for this trip · License year runs April 1 through March 31."Allows you to fish in freshwater and saltwater, and harvest shellfish (including razor clams) and seaweed."

Exceptions that may change it

  • Washington has free fishing days coming up on June 12, 2027 (Free Fishing Weekend 2027 (day 1)) and June 13, 2027 (Free Fishing Weekend 2027 (day 2)). No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
  • Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License: Short-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.
  • This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
Buy on the official Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife site

We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.

Check current Washington regulations

Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.

Validity
2026-2027 · April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
Reviewed
July 30, 2026

Answers at a glance

Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.

Visiting for a day

Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day

Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License

$27.05

Resident for the season

Adult Washington resident · freshwater · all year

Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing License

$39.95

Visiting for a saltwater day

Adult visiting from another state · saltwater · one day

Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License

$27.05

Age and residency rules

Who counts as a resident. Per WAC 220-220-050, a resident has "maintained a permanent place of abode within the state for at least 90 days preceding license purchase", holds a Washington driver's license, Washington identification card, or military ID with orders showing Washington as their duty station, and is not licensed to fish or hunt as a resident in another state.

Age-based rules

  • "Anglers 15 years and younger do not need a fishing license, though catch record cards are still required for certain species." Still required: Everyone, including those younger than 16, must carry a catch record card when fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab. Anglers aged 15 also need the Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement ($7.10 at age 15) to fish for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and many of its Washington tributaries.

License options

LicenseWhoWaterValid forPrice
Resident Annual Combination Fishing License"Allows you to fish in freshwater and saltwater, and harvest shellfish (including razor clams) and seaweed." A catch record card is required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab; endorsements are extra.ResidentResident rate applies to ages 16-69; a reduced senior rate applies at 70 and older.freshwater and saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$74.37
Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing License"Allows you to fish in freshwater areas only."ResidentResident rate applies to ages 16-69.freshwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$39.95
Resident Annual Saltwater Fishing License"Allows you to fish in saltwater areas only." A catch record card is required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut.ResidentResident rate applies to ages 16-69.saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$40.71
Resident Annual Shellfish/Seaweed License"Allows you to harvest crawfish, razor clams, red rock crab, goose barnacles, mussels, octopus, oysters, scallops, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, shrimp, softshell and hardshell clams, squid, seaweed, coastal Dungeness crab and Puget Sound Dungeness crab." A Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement and catch record card are required for Puget Sound crab.ResidentResident rate applies to ages 16-69.freshwater and saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$21.58
Resident Annual Fish Washington License"This license represents a one-click option for an annual combination license with the Puget Sound Dungeness crab, two-pole, and Columbia river Salmon Steelhead endorsements included at reduced cost."ResidentResident rate applies to ages 16-69.freshwater and saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$101.88
Resident 1-Day Combination Fishing License"These short-term licenses work just like a combination license and require the purchase of other endorsements where applicable." The Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement is $5.05 with a 1-3 day combination license.Residentfreshwater and saltwaterOne-day short-term combination license.$14.90
Resident 2-Day Combination Fishing LicenseShort-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.Residentfreshwater and saltwaterTwo-day short-term combination license.$20.98
Resident 3-Day Combination Fishing LicenseShort-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.Residentfreshwater and saltwaterThree-day short-term combination license.$25.53
Senior (70+) Annual Combination Fishing LicenseResidentSenior rate applies at 70 years and older.freshwater and saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$28.83
Senior (70+) Annual Freshwater Fishing LicenseResidentSenior rate applies at 70 years and older.freshwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$9.59
Senior (70+) Annual Saltwater Fishing LicenseResidentSenior rate applies at 70 years and older.saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$10.35
Disability Annual Combination Fishing LicenseWDFW states that for qualified individuals "combination fishing and hunting licenses shall be issued at a reduced or Resident rate"; eligibility documentation is required.Residentfreshwater and saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$12.89
Non-resident Annual Combination Fishing License"Allows you to fish in freshwater and saltwater, and harvest shellfish (including razor clams) and seaweed."Non-residentAll fishers age 16 and older need a fishing license.freshwater and saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$170
Non-resident Annual Freshwater Fishing License"Allows you to fish in freshwater areas only."Non-residentfreshwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$115.85
Non-resident Annual Saltwater Fishing License"Allows you to fish in saltwater areas only."Non-residentsaltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$81.70
Non-resident Annual Shellfish/Seaweed LicenseShellfish and seaweed harvest only.Non-residentfreshwater and saltwaterLicense year runs April 1 through March 31.$47.39
Non-resident 1-Day Combination Fishing LicenseShort-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.Non-residentfreshwater and saltwaterOne-day short-term combination license.$27.05
Non-resident 2-Day Combination Fishing LicenseShort-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.Non-residentfreshwater and saltwaterTwo-day short-term combination license.$39.19
Non-resident 3-Day Combination Fishing LicenseShort-term combination license; endorsements must be purchased separately where applicable.Non-residentfreshwater and saltwaterThree-day short-term combination license.$48.30

Freshwater and saltwater

Washington licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. Check which waters your license covers before you fish — a freshwater license does not cover saltwater unless the option explicitly says it does.

State license vs federal registry. NOAA Fisheries lists Washington among the exempted states: anglers holding a valid state saltwater recreational fishing license, registration, or permit do not need to register through the National Saltwater Angler Registry.

Stamps, endorsements and report cards

  • Catch Record Card — "If you're fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab, a catch record card is required to track your harvest. Everyone, including those younger than 16, must carry a catch record card when fishing for these species." WDFW lists the basic Catch Record Card at no charge. · No charge · this is a report card or registration, not a paid stamp
  • Catch Record Card with Halibut — Required in place of the free catch record card when fishing for halibut; WDFW lists "Catch Record Card + Halibut: $7.59". · $7.59 · this is a report card or registration, not a paid stamp
  • Puget Sound Dungeness Crab Endorsement — Required to harvest Puget Sound Dungeness crab. $11.89 with an annual combination or shellfish/seaweed license; $5.05 with a 1-3 day combination license; free for those 14 and younger. · $11.89
  • Two-Pole Endorsement — Required of "All anglers who want to fish with two poles" on most freshwater lakes, ponds, select river sections and some marine areas, except during Free Fishing Weekend. · $20.23
  • Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) — "Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, all anglers age 15 and older must purchase a Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement (CRSSE) to fish recreationally for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and many of its Washington tributaries." · $8.75

Exemptions worth knowing

  • On Free Fishing Weekend "fishing licenses are not required to fish for many species", and the Vehicle Access Pass and Two-Pole Endorsement are also waived. Still required: Licenses are still required for all shellfish (including clams, crabs, mussels, oysters and shrimp), salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut. Size limits, bag limits and area closures remain in effect.

Free fishing days

  • Free Fishing Weekend 2027 (day 1) — June 12, 2027. Licenses are still required for all shellfish, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut.
  • Free Fishing Weekend 2027 (day 2) — June 13, 2027. Licenses are still required for all shellfish, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut.

Where this comes from

Primary source
Fishing license types and fees | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Retrieved
July 26, 2026
Reviewed
July 30, 2026
Also consulted

Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.

Nearby states

Licenses are issued state by state — a Washington license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.

Across all states