Fish & Feathers: WDFW proposes license increases for 2017-19

Published 10:14 am Tuesday, January 3, 2017

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By Capt. Ron Malast

As reported in last week’s Chinook Observer, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife is proposing an increase in some 2017-19 hunting and fishing license fees and decreases in others.

Recreational and commercial fishing license fees are proposed to increase an overall average of 30 percent. The good news is that license fees for those 65 years and over will substantially decrease.

Under the current system, those 70 years and older pay the senior license fees, but under the new system the age of eligibility will drop to 65.

Currently, the requirement to purchase a license begins at age 15. This proposal would raise the threshold to age 16, and the department would not require licenses to those 15 and under, other than specific endorsements. A new proposal would allow youth fishers to record their catch on a mentor’s catch record card (as part of the mentor’s daily limit) or purchase a separate catch record card at a reduced rate and have their own daily limit.

Resident Current Proposed

Angling Combo $55.35 $64.70

Annual Saltwater $30.05 $35

Annual Freshwater $29.50 $35

Annual Shellfish $17.40 $26.20

Annual Catch Record Cards $0 $10

Charter Stamp $8.50 $11

Senior Resident Current Proposed

65-69 65-plus

Angling Combo $55.35 $28.95

Freshwater $29.50 $10.80

Saltwater $30.05 $11.35

Shellfish $17.40 $10.80

Catch Cards $0 $5

All the fishing license fee proposals can be found at tinyurl.com/WDFW-Fishing-Fee-Details.

Examples of proposed hunting fees

Big game hunter: $99.50 current; $104.85 proposed

Big and small game hunter: $117.50 current; Deer, elk, bear and cougar $129.05 proposed

Migratory bird permits will go from $15 to $25.

More about hunting license proposals can be found at tinyurl.com/WDFW-Hunting-Fee-Details.

These are proposals that due to be voted on during this year’s legislative session in Olympia.

Sen. Kirk Pearson want to hear comments to on these proposals. Comments may be directed to Kirk Pearson at

P.O. Box 4039, Olympia WA 98504 or KirkPearson@leg.wa.gov

In all probability, these proposals will be adopted.

Ron Malast can be reached at 360-665-3573

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