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Do you need a fishing licence in Seattle?

Short answer: yes. Slightly longer answer: it is cheap, it takes minutes, and we can sort you out on the boat if you forget.

Yes — everyone fishing needs one

Washington requires a fishing licence for anyone fishing from a charter boat in Puget Sound. Being a guest on someone else's boat does not exempt you. Being a visitor from out of state does not exempt you.

The one thing that does change by age is which licence you need — youth requirements differ. Check the current WDFW rules for anyone under 15.

What it costs

Those are 2026 figures for the one-day combination licence, which covers both freshwater and saltwater. Annual licences are better value if you will fish more than a couple of times. Prices change — check WDFW's fee page for current rates.

Catch record cards — the part people miss

A licence alone is not always enough. Salmon, halibut, sturgeon and Dungeness crab each require a catch record card (CRC), on which you record what you keep.

The card is free with a short-term licence. The trap is on the back end: completed cards must be reported back to WDFW by the deadline — for summer crab, that is October 1 — whether or not you caught anything. Miss it and there is a penalty the next time you buy a licence. A surprising number of people get caught by this.

Crabbing needs one more thing

Crabbers in the Puget Sound Management Area also need a Puget Sound Crab Endorsement, regardless of age. See our crabbing page.

How to get one

In advance (best): Buy online through WDFW, or use the MyWDFW or Fish Washington mobile apps, which issue electronic licences and electronic catch record cards immediately. New for 2026, and the easiest route — no waiting for a card in the post.

At a dealer: Sporting goods shops and many marinas sell them over the counter and can issue a physical catch record card on the spot.

On the boat: If you forget, we can issue a one-day licence onboard. It is the most expensive way to do it and the least convenient for everyone, but nobody gets left on the dock over a licence.

What we provide, so you do not have to

Rods, reels, tackle, bait and life vests are all included on every Seattle Nautic charter. You need a licence, warm layers, soft-soled shoes, and a cooler for the fish. That is the whole list.

Common questions

Do I need a fishing licence for a charter in Seattle?

Yes. Washington requires a fishing licence for everyone fishing from a charter boat, including out-of-state visitors.

How much is a one-day fishing licence in Washington?

In 2026, the one-day combination licence is $14.90 for residents and $27.05 for non-residents. Check WDFW for current rates.

What is a catch record card?

A card on which you record salmon, halibut, sturgeon or Dungeness crab that you keep. It is free with a short-term licence, but completed cards must be reported to WDFW by the deadline — October 1 for summer crab — even if you caught nothing.

Can I buy a fishing licence on the boat?

Yes, we can issue a one-day licence onboard if you forget. Buying in advance through the MyWDFW app is cheaper and easier.