• How To Purchase a WA State Shellfish/Seaweed License

  • In Washington state, all people aged 15 and older must have a Fishing License to harvest from marine and freshwater environments. (Children age 14 and under do not require a license, but must fill out a catch record to harvest certain creatures) There are many types of licenses available, as listed below under the full chart of licensing fees. 

    A WA State Shellfish License is one of the more affordable options and is valid for one annual year, from April 1st 2023 to March 31st 2024. This license allows you to harvest razor clams, red rock crab, coastal Dungeness crab (but not Puget Sound Dungeness crab), goose barnacles, mussels, octopus, oysters, scallops, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, shrimp, softshell and hardshell clams, squid, and seaweed. No catch record card is required.

    Resident Price (with WA ID or Proof of Residency)
    $15.40

    Non-Resident Price
    $36.40   

    Full chart of Licensing Fees

  • Purchasing a License In-Store

  • Documents/information to bring when buying a fishing license in-person

    • WA State Driver's license* OR Out-of-State ID with utility bill to prove residency
    • Social Security Number (SSN)** OR proof that you are from another country and do not have a SSN
    • Youth without state-issued ID can bring a birth certificate, and/or bring a parent/guardian with ID.

    *Proving residency in WA state is required for lower license prices. Non-residents are also eligible to buy a license, but will have to pay a higher price. 


    **If you have a SSN, you are required to show it. If you do not have a SSN, you must provide proof that you are from another country. WDFW only asks for SSN is because individuals who are delinquent on paying child support are not legally allowed to purchase a license. 

  • List of WA State License Retailers


    Map of WA State License Retailers

     

  • Purchasing a License Online

  • Our partners at the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife have put together this PDF to provide more information about the process in getting a fishing license online.

    SCROLL to read below or CLICK to view in another tab 

  • Get started:

    1) Visit the  WILD Home Page 

    2) Create an account

    3) Search "Shellfish License" 

    4) Purchase your license

    5) Wait 7-10 days for license in the mail OR print temporary license (valid only for 3 days after purchase) You can also show a screenshot of a temporary license.

    6) Enjoy!

     

     

  • More Resources

    • List of public beaches with special harvest rules: WDFW Annual Beach Seasons
    • WDFW online licensing system: WDFW Wild System - Login (wa.gov)
    • WDFW Licensing Price Chart: License Fees 
    • Phone number to call for assistance: 360-902-2464
    • Questions? Email Kelly!  kelly.Riordan@dfw.wa.gov
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