Washington Fishing License 2026: Fees, CRC, Columbia River Endorsement
2026 WDFW fishing fees, CRC rules, the new Columbia River endorsement, age-70 senior pricing, and official license links — all checked in one screen.
Washington fishing starts with picking a product type — freshwater, saltwater, combination, shellfish/seaweed, or razor clam — then layering on whatever endorsements and catch record cards (CRCs) that species requires. The combination license is the broadest annual path, but it does not automatically include Puget Sound Dungeness crab, halibut, or Columbia River salmon/steelhead access.
Catch record cards are Washington’s biggest tripwire. Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Puget Sound Dungeness crab all carry CRC duties, and the base CRC itself is free — you still have to add it to your cart and carry it while fishing. Since January 1, 2026, anglers age 15 and older must also carry a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) to fish for salmon or steelhead on the Columbia River and more than 50 of its Washington tributaries, including the Snake River in Asotin County.
Washington’s resident senior discount is generally tied to age 70, not 65, and anglers age 14 and under need no base license at all. Free Fishing Weekend can waive base license fees, but it does not remove CRC, CRSSE, or endorsement reporting duties.
Fast-check table: CRC, CRSSE, and age rules
| Topic | What to check |
|---|---|
| CRC species stack | Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Puget Sound Dungeness crab all trigger CRC duties; the base CRC is free but must be added at checkout. |
| Columbia River endorsement (CRSSE) | Required since Jan. 1, 2026 for ages 15+ fishing salmon/steelhead on the Columbia River and its Washington tributaries; separate from the CRC — you need both. |
| Age-70 senior row | Washington’s resident senior pricing tier is Aged 70+; residents 16–69 pay the standard adult rate. |
| Age 14-and-under exemption | Anglers 14 and younger need no fishing license at all; CRC rules still apply if they retain a covered species. |
| eCRC / mobile reporting | WDFW’s online licensing system now supports electronic crab catch reporting; salmon/steelhead/sturgeon catch cards must still be mailed in. |
| Crab reporting deadlines | Summer Puget Sound crab cards are due Oct. 1; winter cards are due Feb. 1; fish catch cards are due April 30. |
2026 Washington price rows
Check the WDFW license fee table and Washington Fish Hunt before checkout — prices below already include WDFW’s applicable fees.
| Product | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 14 and under | No license needed | No license needed | CRC still applies if a covered species is retained. |
| Youth (age 15) license | Free | Free | Issue a Youth license even though it’s free; CRC and CRSSE can still apply. |
| Combination annual | $74.37 | $170.00 | Resident senior (70+) row is $28.83. |
| Freshwater annual | $39.95 | $115.85 | Resident senior (70+) row is $9.59. |
| Saltwater annual | $40.71 | $81.70 | Resident senior (70+) row is $10.35. |
| Shellfish/Seaweed annual | $21.58 | $47.39 | Resident senior (70+) row is $13.99. |
| Fish Washington bundle | $94.15 | — | One-click combination license that already bundles the Puget Sound crab and two-pole endorsements at a lower combined cost. |
| 1-day Combination | $14.90 | $27.05 | Short-trip combination row. |
| 2-day Combination | $20.98 | $39.19 | Two-day trip row. |
| 3-day Combination | $25.53 | $48.30 | Three-day trip row. |
| Two-Pole Endorsement | $20.23 | $20.23 | Resident senior (70+) row is $8.09; only useful where two-pole fishing is allowed. |
| Puget Sound Crab Endorsement (with annual license) | $11.89 | $11.89 | Comes with its own separate crab CRC; reporting deadlines still apply. |
| Puget Sound Crab Endorsement (with a short-term license) | $5.05 | $5.05 | Lower-cost tier for temporary licenses. |
| Catch Record Card | Free | Free | Covers salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and Puget Sound Dungeness crab; must still be added to your cart. |
| Catch Record Card + Halibut | $7.59 | $7.59 | Needed only if you’re fishing for halibut, on top of the right base license. |
| Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) | $8.75 (age 16+) | $8.75 (age 16+) | $7.10 for 15-year-olds and resident seniors 70+; required in addition to a CRC. |
| Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Permit | $24 | $24 | Applies broadly to registered watercraft, not just out-of-state boats; separate from the fishing license. |
Prices above are official 2026–27 fee-table planning rows; WDFW states most already include applicable transaction fees. CRC, CRSSE, and endorsement duties should be checked even for youth anglers or during free-license periods.
FAQs
Do youth anglers still need a Washington catch record card?
Yes. Anglers age 14 and under need no license, but if they retain salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab, the CRC requirement still applies. Age 15 anglers get a free Youth license but can still owe CRC and CRSSE duties.
Which species trigger Washington CRC checks?
Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Puget Sound Dungeness crab are the core CRC species. The base CRC is free; only the halibut add-on carries a fee ($7.59).
Does a Washington combination license cover the Columbia River endorsement too?
No. A combination license does not include the Puget Sound crab endorsement, halibut CRC, or the new Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement — each needs a separate purchase and its own reporting rules.
When does Washington senior pricing start?
Washington’s resident senior discount tier begins at age 70, not 65, and applies across combination, freshwater, saltwater, shellfish/seaweed, and two-pole endorsement pricing.
Does Free Fishing Weekend remove CRC or CRSSE rules?
No. Free Fishing Weekend can waive base license fees, but CRC, CRSSE, and endorsement reporting rules still apply and need a species-specific check.
Guides
Washington Senior Fishing License 2026: Discounts & Age Rules
Washington senior fishing license rules start at resident age 70. Compare reduced fees, CRCs, CRSSE, VAP, and disabled-veteran paths.
Updated August 19, 2026
Washington Nonresident Fishing License 2026: Cost & Rules
Washington nonresident fishing license guide: compare freshwater, saltwater, combination, CRC, CRSSE, and short-term choices.
Updated August 18, 2026
Washington Fishing License 2026: Catch Record Cards
Washington fishing license rules for 2026: catch record cards, eCRCs, age rules, Free Fishing Weekend, Vehicle Access Pass, and reporting deadlines.
Updated August 18, 2026
Washington Catch Record Card 2026: eCRC, Crab & Youth Rules
Washington Catch Record Card 2026 rules: CRC species, eCRC options, Puget Sound crab, youth cards, Columbia River age-15 exception, and reporting.
Updated August 18, 2026