Fishing licenses are sold by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), but can also be bought through local license venders and online. This article gives easy steps finding where you can purchase a Washington state fishing license from DFW.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Online

  1. 1
    Go to WDFW.gov or DFW.gov.
  2. 2
    Select "Licensing and Permits" from the blue toolbar.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Select the link that will send you to fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov to purchase your license. This site may not work for desktop.
  4. 4
    Sign in or make a account.
    • In this step you will sign in using your Wild ID. If you do not have a Wild ID, you must create one to purchase a fishing license online. If you don't have a Wild ID and this is your first time purchasing a fishing license, you must buy it from a store.
  5. 5
    Select and purchase your desired license.
  6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

In Stores

  1. 1
    Go to WDFW, the official hunting and fishing website for Washington state.
  2. 2
    Select "License Vendors" from the licensing and permits tools bar.
  3. 3
    Enter your county, city, or zip code to get results for local WDFW authorized license dealers.
  4. 4
    Go to a vendor near you to purchase your license.
    • Fishing licenses are typically sold in the fishing or hunting isle, but can also sometimes be purchased at a regular checkout.
  5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

License Types and Fees

  1. 1
    Know the fees if you're looking to buy the Annual Freshwater license:
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $29.50
    • Non-Resident: $84.50
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $7.50
    • Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo
  2. 2
    Buy an Annual Saltwater license if you prefer saltwater fishing:
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $30.05
    • Non-Resident: $59.75
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $8.05
    • Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo
    • Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo
    • Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: Must Purchase Combo
  3. 3
    Pay a little less if you need an Annual Shellfish/Seaweed license:
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $17.40
    • Non-Resident: $36.10
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $7.50
    • Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo
    • Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo
    • Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $35.00
  4. 4
    Save by combining your licenses, if you're interested in an Annual Combo Fishing/Shellfish:
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $55.35
    • Non-Resident: $124.65
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): ----
    • Youth (Aged 15): $8.05
    • Resident Disabled: $11.35
    • Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $55.35
  5. 5
    Purchase a 1-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish license if you're only fishing one day:
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $11.35
    • Non-Resident: $20.15
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $11.35
    • Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo
    • Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo
    • Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $20.15
  6. 6
    Purchase a double day license if desired. A 2-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish is available.
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $15.75
    • Non-Resident: $28.95
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $15.75
    • Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo
    • Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo
    • Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $28.95
  7. 7
    Go with the three-day option if needed. A 3-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish pass is available, too.
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $19.05
    • Non-Resident: $35.55
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $19.05
    • Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo
    • Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo
    • Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $35.55
  8. 8
    Use your military discount if applicable. You can get a 1-Day, 2-Day, or 3-Day Fresh Water/Salt Water/Shellfish licenses for Active Duty Military. This is $11.35 for the 1-day version, $15.75 for the 2-Day version, and $19.05 for the 3-Day version (non-resident pricing only; no variations).
  9. 9
    Shop for an Annual Razor Clam license if preferred.
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): $14.10
    • Non-Resident: $21.80
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $14.10
    • Youth (Aged 15): Must Purchase Combo
    • Resident Disabled: Must Purchase Combo
    • Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $21.80
    • A 3-Day Razor Clam license is also available, for $9.70 (Resident, Non-Resident, Youth, Senior, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran).
  10. 10
    Use a Catch Record Card if you're fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness Crab. The Catch Record Card is used to estimate the recreational catch of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Puget Sound Dungeness Crab. It is required by law that you must have a catch record card in your possession when fishing for these species. If you catch one of the listed fish or crab, you are required to enter it into your catch record card before continuing to fish. You are required to return the card by the due date, even if you did not catch any fish or crab.
    • Resident (Aged 16-69): 1st card free, additional cards $12.60/each
    • Youth (Aged 15): Non Reporting Crab Admin Penalty
    • Resident Senior, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran, Youth: $10
  11. 11
    Get a Two-Pole Endorsement if you need one.
    • Resident, Non-Resident, Youth, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $14.50
    • Resident Senior (Aged 70+): $6.00
  12. 12
    Purchase a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement if you're heading there.
    • Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $8.75
    • Resident Senior and Youth: $7.10
  13. 13
    Buy a Puget Sound Crab Endorsement if needed.
    • Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Senior, Youth, Resident Disabled, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $8.75
    • Puget Sound Crab Endorsement on 1-3 Day Temp.
      • Resident, Non-Resident, Resident Senior, Non-Resident Disabled Veteran: $3.80
  14. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    When does fishing season start?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It depends on the state you live in, the water you want to fish, and the species that you are fishing for. Consult your local fishing regulations on your state's website.
  • Question
    What is the cost of a fishing license for a senior non-resident?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Freshwater (365 day): $29.50. Saltwater (365 day): $59.75. 1 day: $20.15. 2 day: $29.95.
Advertisement

Warnings

Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 27,531 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: September 15, 2021
Views: 27,531
Categories: Fishing
Advertisement