WA · WDFW
Washington fishing regulations.
- Saltwater coast
- 7 popular species
Washington is salmon and steelhead — the Olympic Peninsula, Columbia, and Puget Sound rivers define the state's identity, with Yakima trout adding a quality Western trout river to the program.
Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with WDFW before each trip.
License requirements
Anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid fishing license to fish in Washington. Resident and non-resident licenses are sold online through the WDFW and at most sporting goods retailers. Annual, multi-day, and lifetime licenses are typically available. Senior, military, and youth discounts apply in most cases. Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and Puget Sound fishing all involve specific endorsements — Washington's license structure is among the most complex. License costs and exact age thresholds change — verify with the WDFW before purchase.
Freshwater seasons and limits
Salmon (chinook, coho, sockeye, pink, chum), steelhead, rainbow trout, sea-run cutthroat, and bass. Eastern Washington reservoirs hold walleye, smallmouth bass, and trout. Puget Sound and Columbia River salmon dominate.
River and stream regulations
The Yakima is the premier eastern Washington trout river. Olympic Peninsula rivers (Hoh, Sol Duc, Bogachiel) get steelhead and salmon runs. The Columbia and Snake provide salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and walleye. The Skykomish, Skagit, and Stillaguamish run salmon.
Saltwater seasons and limits
Pacific salmon (charter and small-boat), halibut, lingcod, rockfish, and Pacific cod. Puget Sound is divided into management areas with distinct rules. Crab and shellfish are heavily regulated.
Special regulations
Wild salmon and steelhead retention rules are complex and change yearly. Hatchery-only retention on most coastal rivers. Native (wild) steelhead are catch-and-release. Washington's Catch Record Card system tracks salmon, steelhead, halibut, sturgeon, and Dungeness crab.
Popular species
- Chinook salmon
- Coho salmon
- Steelhead
- Rainbow trout
- Sea-run cutthroat
- Halibut
- Smallmouth bass
Official source · WDFW
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This page is a regulatory summary maintained by Bield — not the official rulebook. Verify season dates, bag limits, and special regulations with the agency above before each trip.
Bield Fish keeps Washington regulations at your fingertips.
Set your state once and Bield calibrates season phases, license reminders, and species-specific limits in your catch log.