License Requirements...

License requirements are merely summarized here. For more information, including lists of species for which a license is required, refer to the sport fishing regulations pamphlet. Note that major changes in licensing structure and fees were made starting in 1999.

• Annual licenses now run from April 1 through March 31 of the following year.
• Separate enhancement fees (Puget Sound, steelhead and warmwater) have been eliminated.

Licenses are required for both residents and non-residents 15 years of age and older (see "Kids and Seniors" for more information). Reduced-fee licenses are available for qualified disabled persons, veterans, youths age 15, and resident seniors (age 70+; see below).

A saltwater license is required to fish for most marine and anadromous species in saltwater. An annual license costs $18 for residents 16-69 years of age, $5 for residents age 70 and older, and $36 for non-residents 16 and older.

A shellfish/seaweed license is required for all shellfishing and gathering of seaweeds. Cost for an annual license is $7 for residents 16-69 years of age, $5 for residents age 70 and older, and $20 for non-residents 16 and older.

A freshwater fish license is required to fish for most freshwater species and steelhead. Cost is $20 annually for residents 16-69 years of age, $5 for residents age 70 and older, and $40 annually for non-residents ages 16 and older.

A combination freshwater/saltwater and shellfish/seaweed license is available to residents for $36, to non-residents for $72, and to disabled anglers and both resident and non-resident youth (age 15) for $5.

A 2-day combination freshwater/saltwater and shellfish/seaweed license is available to both residents and non-residents. Check the current regulations pamphlet for more information.

A catch record card is required to fish for or retain steelhead, salmon, sturgeon, halibut and Dungeness crab. These cards are issued free upon request with the appropriate license purchase.

Kids and Seniors

Juvenile anglers are residents or non-residents 14 years of age and under. Juveniles can fish for free, no licenses required, for all legal species during open seasons. A catch record card is still required for steelhead, salmon, sturgeon, halibut and Dungeness crab. A list of juveniles-only fishing waters is provided below.

Youth fishers are residents or non-residents 15 years of age. They can buy the freshwater plus saltwater plus shellfish/seaweed combination license for $5. At age 16 they are considered adults, and pay the standard adult resident or non-resident fee.

Resident seniors, 70 years of age or older, can buy reduced-fee freshwater, saltwater, or shellfish/seaweed licenses for $5 each. Non-resident seniors pay the standard non-resident fee.

Disabled Licenses

A $5 combination freshwater, saltwater and shellfish/seaweed license is available to residents who are physically handicapped and confined to a wheelchair, legally blind, developmentally disabled, or a qualified disabled veteran. Disability license applications may be obtained by writing to the department's License Division at the Olympia address inside the front cover. Applications can also be obtained at your local WDFW Regional Office.

Access Stewardship Decals

Beginning in 1999, users of WDFW access areas are required to have an Access Stewardship Decal displayed in their vehicle. One decal is issued free with each fishing and hunting license purchased. The decals can also be purchased separately for $10 each. This program is designed to let non-hunters and non-anglers share the cost of maintaining these facilities.

Juveniles-only Fishing Waters

These lakes and streams are set aside for juveniles (14 years old and younger), and in a few cases disability license holders, seniors and families. Waters are listed alphabetically by county, followed by the open fishing season. Check the regulations pamphlet for size and catch limits. This list was current as of May 1, 2000.

Adams County: Para-Juvenile Lake (shared with Grant County); March 1 through July 31.

Asotin County: Headgate Pond (also open to disability license holders); last Saturday in April through October 31.

Benton County: Columbia Park Lagoon (near south end of U.S. Hwy 395 bridge -- Family Fishing rules: also open to junior and adult anglers when accompanied by a juvenile); year-round.

Chelan County: Cashmere Pond; year-round. Enchantment Park ponds; year-round. Nason Creek Fish Pond (also open to disabled persons); year-round.

Clallam County: Lincoln Park Pond; year-round. Peabody Creek; last Saturday in April through October 31. Valley Creek; last Saturday in April through October 31.

Columbia County: Dayton Pond; year-round.

Garfield County: Pataha Creek (within Pomeroy city limits); June 1 through October 31.

Grant County: Para-Juvenile Lake (shared with Adams County); March 1 through July 31. Columbia Basin Hatchery Creek (from the hatchery outflow to its confluence with the mainstem Hatchery Creek -- also open to disability license holders); year-round. Columbia Basin Hatchery Creek (excluding the section previously described for juveniles and disability license holders -- Family Fishing rules: also open to junior and adult anglers when accompanied by a juvenile); year-round.

Grays Harbor County: Mill Creek Pond; year-round. Vance Creek Pond # 1; last Saturday in April through October 31.

King County: Coal Creek (near Snoqualmie -- from mouth to I-90); last Saturday in April through October 31. Kimball Creek (near Snoqualmie); last Saturday in April through October 31. Mill Pond (Auburn); last Saturday in April through October 31. Old Fishing Hole Pond (Kent); last Saturday in April through October 31.

Kittitas County: Mercer Creek (within Ellensburg city limits); June 1 through October 31. Naneum Pond; year-round. Wilson Creek (two branches within Ellensburg city limits); year-round.

Klickitat County: Jewitt Creek; June 1 through October 31. Little Klickitat River (within Goldendale city limits); last Saturday in April through October 31.

Lewis County: Fort Borst Park Lake (Family Fishing rules: also open to junior and adult anglers when accompanied by a juvenile); last Saturday in April through February 28.

Lincoln County: Goose Creek (within Wilbur city limits -- also open to disability license holders); year-round.

Okanogan County: Jasmine Creek; year-round.

Pacific County: Cases Pond; last Saturday in April through October 31. South Bend Mill Pond; year-round.

Pierce County: DeCoursey Pond; last Saturday in April through October 31. Wapato Lake; year-round.

Skagit County: Northern State Hospital Pond; last Saturday in April through October 31.

Snohomish County: Fortson Mill Pond #2; last Saturday in April through October 31. Jennings Park Pond; last Saturday in April through October 31.

Spokane County: Bear Lake (Family Fishing rules: also open to junior and adult anglers when accompanied by a juvenile); year-round.

Thurston County: Long's Pond (Lacey); year-round.

Walla Walla County: Jefferson Park Pond; year-round. Lyons Park Pond (College Place); year-round.

Whatcom County: Fishtrap Creek (from Koh Road to Bender Road); June 1 through October 31. Johnson Creek (from Northern Pacific railroad tracks to Lawson Street footbridge in Sumas); June 1 through October 31. Whatcom Creek (from stone bridge at Whatcom Falls Park to Lake Whatcom); last Saturday in April through October 31 (check for emergency regulations on Whatcom Creek following the disastrous fire in 1999).

Whitman County: Garfield Juvenile Pond; year-round.

Yakima County: Sarge Hubbard Park Pond (also open to disability license holders); year-round. Yakima Sportsmen's Park ponds; year-round.