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Hunting and fishing in Washington State

Northwest Justice Project

Reviewed for legal accuracy on

Learn about hunting and fishing laws, common violations, and how to avoid them. Links to detailed regulations, restrictions, and information about hunting and fishing licenses.

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Fast facts

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police enforce the laws about hunting, fishing, and other areas where humans and wildlife interact. The WDFW’s laws (which can be found at RCW 77.15) spell out activities which are crimes and can lead to tickets and possibly fines. 

These are some of the most common violations of Washington’s hunting and fishing laws:

  • Fishing or hunting when the season is closed
  • Fishing or hunting without a current license 
  • Fishing with barbed hooks where they are not allowed
  • Catching fish without recording the fish on a Catch Record Card when required to do so (for example, crab in Puget Sound or salmon) 
  • Catching or having too many (overlimit) fish, shellfish, or other wildlife
  • Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle
  • Hunting while trespassing
  • Hunting outside of legal hunting hours. Check the hunting regulations for legal hours for where you are and what you are hunting.

There are many other regulations to know. 

Plan ahead to avoid legal trouble!

Before hunting or fishing, buy a license online or at a store in your county. Always carry your license (or a copy of it) with you when you are hunting or fishing. WDFW officers will ask to see it if they stop you while hunting or fishing.

Check the WDFW hunting regulation and fishing regulation pamphlets to understand the laws and regulations that apply where you plan to hunt or fish. 

These regulations will tell you: 

  • which land or water areas are open for hunting or fishing
  • what type of equipment is allowed (for example, type of bait or firearm)

How many of the type of fish or game you can catch and keep

Check to see if any emergency rules have gone into effect. 

If you need more information or still have questions you can call the WDFW at 1-360-902-2500

WDFW officers are allowed to search you and your belongings if they have reason to believe you have violated the laws. 

Officers may give you a ticket, revoke your hunting or fishing license, or take away your fishing or hunting equipment if you violate the law, even if you did not know about the law or intend to break it. 

You may have only a short amount of time, 20 days, to ask for a hearing if you lose your license or gear. It’s best to know about the laws of each area and type of hunting and fishing before you start.