In Washington, anglers younger than 16 generally do not need to buy a recreational fishing license, whether they live in Washington or are visiting from another state. However, youth may still need catch record cards or species-specific endorsements. A special paid rule also applies to some 15-year-olds fishing for Columbia River salmon or steelhead.
Quick Answer
A Washington youth fishing license generally costs $0 for anglers under 16, regardless of residency. Youth still need the proper catch record card when targeting salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab. A 15-year-old also needs a $7.10 endorsement for Columbia River salmon or steelhead.
Key Takeaways
- Washington anglers ages 15 and younger generally fish without paying for a fishing license.
- Residency does not change the ordinary under-16 exemption.
- Youth need catch record cards for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Puget Sound Dungeness crab.
- A 15-year-old fishing for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River or its tributaries needs a $7.10 Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement.
- Licenses and catch cards can be carried electronically or printed on standard paper under Washington’s 2026 licensing system.
At a Glance
| Time Required | About 5–10 minutes if a catch card or endorsement is needed |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Tools Needed | WILD account, mobile device or printer, and the youth angler’s correct personal information |
| Cost | Usually $0; $7.10 for the age-15 Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement when applicable |
Washington Youth Fishing License Overview and Eligibility
Under current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife license rules, anglers ages 15 and younger generally do not need a paid fishing license. The exemption applies to both Washington residents and nonresidents.
An angler must normally buy a standard adult fishing license upon reaching age 16. The type of license then depends on whether the person fishes in freshwater, saltwater, or both, or harvests shellfish and seaweed.
Adult supervision is a good safety practice, especially for young children, but WDFW does not make supervision a condition of the under-16 license exemption. An adult may help a youth angler without buying a license as long as the adult is not fishing or harvesting. The youth must remain present, actively participate, and be able to handle the fishing gear.
Note: Washington also has some “juvenile-only” waters. Under the state’s fishing definitions, those waters are reserved for anglers younger than 15. That separate age limit does not change the general under-16 license exemption.
Every youth angler must still follow the same open-season dates, daily limits, size limits, gear restrictions, and area rules that apply to adults. Buying or qualifying for a license exemption never guarantees that a particular water or species is open.
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Youth Fishing Cost Breakdown by Activity
There is no separate $40.25 or $43.57 Washington annual youth fishing license. The standard youth license cost is zero. What a child needs depends on the species, location, and age on the day of fishing.
| Youth activity | Required document | Youth cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary freshwater or saltwater fishing | No paid fishing license for anglers under 16 | $0 |
| Salmon, steelhead, or sturgeon | Fish Catch Record Card | $0 |
| Halibut | Halibut Catch Record Card | $0 with a youth license |
| Puget Sound Dungeness crab | Puget Sound Crab Endorsement and crab Catch Record Card | $0 for youth |
| Age 15, fishing for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River or its tributaries | Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement plus Catch Record Card | $7.10 |
| Using two poles | Follow the pole rules for the specific water; the paid endorsement is not offered to youth anglers | No youth endorsement fee |
For most Washington anglers under 16, the fishing-license price is $0. The important question is not “Which youth license should I buy?” but “Does this species or location require an extra card or endorsement?”
Once the angler turns 16, ordinary adult prices apply. For the April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 license year, the listed annual freshwater prices are $39.95 for a resident and $115.85 for a nonresident. Annual combination licenses are $74.37 for a resident and $170.00 for a nonresident. Check the current Washington fishing fee table before buying because fees can change.
Pro Tip: Plan by species first. A child fishing for stocked trout may need no documents, while the same child fishing for salmon may need a catch record card before making the first cast.
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How and Where to Get Youth Fishing Documents
A child who is only fishing for species that do not require a catch record card may not need to complete a license transaction. When a catch card or endorsement is required, a parent or guardian can help obtain the free youth product through WDFW.
- Identify the activity. Confirm the water, species, date, and whether the child will harvest fish or shellfish.
- Check the current rules. Review the permanent regulations and any emergency rule changes.
- Open or access the child’s WILD account. Use the youth angler’s correct name, date of birth, and personal information.
- Select the required free youth document. Add the appropriate catch record card, crab endorsement, or other required product.
- Add the Columbia River endorsement when required. This applies to an angler who is 15 and will fish for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River or its tributaries.
- Choose paper or mobile documents. Confirm that every required card or privilege is available before leaving home.
| Method | How it works | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Online portal | Use the Washington Fish Hunt portal to manage the WILD account and obtain documents. | Planning ahead from home |
| Mobile licensing | Use the MyWDFW and Fish Washington apps for supported mobile licenses, regulations, and electronic catch cards. | Carrying documents electronically |
| Phone | Call WDFW Licensing at 360-902-2464 or 866-246-9453. | Account or purchasing assistance |
| Authorized dealer | Visit a participating WDFW license dealer for in-person help and printed documents. | Same-day in-person assistance |
| Print at home | Paper customers can print licenses and catch cards on standard 8.5-by-11-inch paper. | People who prefer paper documents |
Washington stopped relying exclusively on special waterproof license paper in 2026. Under the current print-at-home system, catch record cards and tags may be printable only once, so save the file and check the printer before completing the process.
Warning: Do not wait until reaching a river, beach, or boat ramp to confirm the child’s documents. Poor mobile service, an account problem, or a missing catch card can prevent legal fishing.
Free Fishing Weekend, Exceptions, and Reduced-Fee Rules
Washington holds Free Fishing Weekend on the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. The 2026 event took place June 6–7. The event allows residents and nonresidents to fish for many species without buying a license, but it is not a waiver of every requirement.
Licenses and required catch record cards still apply to fish that require catch reporting, including salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut. License requirements also continue to apply to shellfish. Seasons, area closures, daily limits, size limits, and gear restrictions remain in force.
Warning: Free Fishing Weekend does not make a closed fishery open. Check the species and water before fishing, even when no ordinary license is required.
WDFW also lists a few activity-specific exemptions. A fishing license is not required to fish for common carp in Moses Lake or Vancouver Lake, harvest bullfrogs, or collect relic shells. These narrow exceptions do not remove other applicable regulations.
Resident anglers age 70 and older have separate senior prices. WDFW also offers reduced-fee or assistance programs for qualifying disabled veterans and certain residents who use a wheelchair, are blind or visually impaired, or have a developmental disability. These programs require the appropriate eligibility process and are not based on a general low-income standard.
A fishing-license exemption does not grant access to private land. Obtain the landowner’s permission before crossing or fishing from private property. Parking may also require a Vehicle Access Pass or Discover Pass, depending on who manages the site.
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Required Endorsements, Catch Record Cards, and Permits
A child’s free fishing status does not remove catch-reporting requirements. Under Washington rules, a paper or electronic catch record card must be carried when fishing for anadromous salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab.
The card is required while fishing for the covered species, not only after a fish is kept. Immediately after retaining a reportable fish or crab—and before fishing again—the angler must enter the required date, location, species, and other details in ink or in the approved mobile application.
| Item | Youth rule | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Catch Record Card | Free but required for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon | Return or report a paper fish card by April 30 after the license year, even with no catch. |
| Halibut Catch Record Card | Required and free with a youth license | Record the retained halibut and vessel type immediately. |
| Puget Sound Crab Endorsement and CRC | Free for youth but still required | Report by the date printed on the card. A missed report can cause a $10 administrative fee later. |
| Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement | Required at age 15 when targeting salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River or its tributaries | The current youth price is $7.10. |
| Two-Pole Endorsement | Not offered to anglers under 16 | Always check whether the specific water permits more than one pole. |
| Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit | Based on the boat, not the angler’s age | Required for qualifying boats registered outside Washington; the listed fee is $24. |
Washington began offering electronic catch record cards for supported fisheries in 2026. Mobile entries can be made without cellular service and transmitted when the device reconnects. Paper cards remain available for anglers who prefer them.
Review the instructions printed with the card and the official WDFW catch record card guidance. Never borrow, share, alter, or transfer another person’s card.
How to Check Current Washington Fishing Rules
Washington fishing seasons can change after the annual regulation guide is published. Before every trip, complete this checklist:
- Confirm that the water and target species are open on the planned date.
- Check the daily limit, minimum or maximum size, and retention rules.
- Review hook, bait, pole, and barbless-hook restrictions.
- Check whether a catch record card or endorsement is required.
- Review the current emergency fishing rules.
- Confirm parking and access requirements for the site.
Pro Tip: Use the Fish Washington app before leaving home and again at the fishing site. Emergency rules can supersede the printed annual pamphlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Washington youth fishing license renew automatically?
No. Washington does not sell a paid annual fishing license for anglers under 16. Required catch record cards and endorsements are tied to the applicable license year or season and must be obtained again when needed. Once the angler turns 16, a standard fishing license is normally required.
Can a nonresident child fish for free with a relative?
Yes. The ordinary under-16 fishing-license exemption applies to resident and nonresident youth. The accompanying adult needs a license only if the adult will also fish or harvest. Catch cards and species-specific requirements still apply to the child.
Can youth fish in both freshwater and saltwater without a paid license?
Generally, yes. An angler under 16 does not buy the ordinary freshwater, saltwater, or combination license. However, the youth must follow the rules for the specific water and carry any required catch record card or endorsement.
Can a paid endorsement be refunded if the child does not fish?
Usually not merely because the trip was canceled or the child lost interest. WDFW’s published refund rules allow limited situations such as a system or dealer error, a duplicate purchase, or a purchase corrected within 60 minutes. A product generally is not refundable when a season was available and the angler could have participated.
Is parental consent required to get youth documents online?
WDFW’s public fishing guidance does not state a blanket parental-consent rule for every youth transaction. In practice, a parent or guardian may need to help create or manage the child’s WILD account, enter accurate information, print documents, and make any required payment.
Conclusion
A Washington youth fishing license normally costs $0 for anglers under 16. The main responsibilities are checking the rules for the water, obtaining required catch record cards, recording retained catch immediately, and reporting the card on time. Remember the special $7.10 Columbia River endorsement for qualifying 15-year-olds, and buy a standard fishing license when the angler turns 16.
Check WDFW’s permanent and emergency rules before every trip. A free license exemption makes fishing more accessible, but it does not remove seasons, limits, gear rules, reporting duties, parking requirements, or private-property restrictions.
Sources
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — Fishing License Types and Fees — current age rules, license products, and prices.
- Washington Sport Fishing Rules — License Information — youth eligibility, adult assistance, endorsements, and purchasing rules.
- WDFW Catch Record Cards — covered species, card possession, and reporting deadlines.
- Washington Administrative Code Chapter 220-310 — legal catch-record-card requirements and the free youth halibut card.
- WDFW Free Fishing Weekend — annual timing and limitations of the license waiver.
- WDFW Fishing Regulations — current statewide rules and emergency-rule resources.
