Filling a catch card is something I've never done (mostly because I'm very picky about what fish I harvest), but the fact it costs $12 to get a new one seems like a potential reason for some people not to get new catch card. Little things like removing that absurd fee could only improve catch reporting.
Electronic licenses in Washington next year
- Thread starter Chucker
- Start date
I've definitely taken to opening mine before I do any big trip where I'll be out of 5G coverage. It helps that I habitually look at the app to imagine where I want to go fishing next;.About time! I think Oregon's works pretty well AFTER you actually buy the license.
For us non-residents that buy a 1, 2 or 3 day license, there is a bit of a lag between buying the license and it showing in the app.
I've seen it take up to 30 minutes to update/sync to the app.
Hopefully Washington's will be able to do everything truly within the app.
Regarding the Fish Washington app...I think it works pretty well EXCEPT when you first open it. I takes WAY too long doing its "Downloading Geodatabase..." thing. We're talking like dial-up too long even when on great wifi or 5G. That tells me it's on their end, not mine.
I don't mind having to hit the location button, but the download thing is ridiculous. You can't click on your body of water until the download it done. So annoying.
I'm on the latest version and I've given feedback...well, I haven't given feedback because when I try it says "Error sending feedback. Please try again later"!!Yeah, I'm not gonna try again later.
As annoying as it is, it's still better than having to carry paper in the rain.
G_Smolt
Legend
There was a presentation from a wdfw fella about this at the recent PSMFC Steelhead management mtngs, as well as updates from ID and OR on their eCreel projects.
I sorta tuned the WA mgmt stuff out, but here's the abstract -
"Beginning in 2026, Washington will introduce an electronic catch reporting (eCRC) option for recreational steelhead fisheries. This transition creates an opportunity to substantially modernize harvest monitoring and reduce the reliance on delayed, post-season estimates derived from paper catch cards. We outline the design of Washington’s forthcoming harvest estimation system, which integrates mobile app–reported catch with existing sampling programs to produce in-season estimates of recreational steelhead harvest. The presentation details three components: (1) the operational framework for collecting, validating, and storing eCRC data; (2) the statistical and computational architecture for generating routine, in-season harvest estimates; and (3) a planned evolution of analytical methods as the eCRC database expands, including incorporation of sophisticated statistical and machine learning models, bias-correction strategies, and methods to quantify uncertainty under varying reporting rates. Modernizing recreational catch monitoring will support more timely, transparent, and data-rich management of steelhead fisheries. The proposed framework provides a scalable path for integrating electronic reporting into long-standing monitoring systems, with benefits for both conservation and recreational opportunity."
I sorta tuned the WA mgmt stuff out, but here's the abstract -
"Beginning in 2026, Washington will introduce an electronic catch reporting (eCRC) option for recreational steelhead fisheries. This transition creates an opportunity to substantially modernize harvest monitoring and reduce the reliance on delayed, post-season estimates derived from paper catch cards. We outline the design of Washington’s forthcoming harvest estimation system, which integrates mobile app–reported catch with existing sampling programs to produce in-season estimates of recreational steelhead harvest. The presentation details three components: (1) the operational framework for collecting, validating, and storing eCRC data; (2) the statistical and computational architecture for generating routine, in-season harvest estimates; and (3) a planned evolution of analytical methods as the eCRC database expands, including incorporation of sophisticated statistical and machine learning models, bias-correction strategies, and methods to quantify uncertainty under varying reporting rates. Modernizing recreational catch monitoring will support more timely, transparent, and data-rich management of steelhead fisheries. The proposed framework provides a scalable path for integrating electronic reporting into long-standing monitoring systems, with benefits for both conservation and recreational opportunity."
E-catch reporting, or even reporting at all, for steelhead is superfluous. Wild steelhead release is the law, and there is zero reporting other than irregular creel checkers. Reporting for catch sharing is moot since the treaty tribes do their own thing regardless. Statistically speaking, the steelhead catch in WA is either "few" or "none." Punch cards or E-cards and steelhead management costs in general can hardly be justified when the extent of the fishery is considered.
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I fill my catch card almost every year, and I have no problem with paying $12 for the second one. $12 to harvest 20 hatchery salmon - deal of the century.
Maybe the new E-cards report "encounters". Now every bump and strike is automatically uploaded into the WDFW co-manager super computer. Impacts are immediately modeled and shut-downs announced via AI controllers.
I seldom get more than a handful on the second card.
Dustin Chromers
Legend
Washington will spend to the moon so a contractor can build a terrible product. Then they will spend more fixing it. It will be functional in like ten years. This state can build the worst web resources. It's comical how bad they are.
Dustin Chromers
Legend
Spey guys just stepped into the 5 grabs a day club magically.
It was a leaf dude...... And you set the hook on it.
Yeah, it does seem odd that WA can be such a leader in tech development, but then a state agency can't seem to tie its shoelaces, technically speaking.
JimTravers¤£a!!Travers
Steelhead
I ain't getting no ELECTRO LICENSE!!! They're just gonna have to deal with the fact that I ain't getting one. I don't need to do what they say!!! No need for me to get a license. Just gonna tell them to go away!!!
Dustin Chromers
Legend
Every state website sucks so bad. I know full well we are paying a premium for them as well.
It's basically a rule that anything they touch including the regs pamphlet will suck. Remember the "if it isn't listed under the special rules it's closed". That's the height of lazy. The are several streams I used to fish in the standard June and on season that I can't fish because some state agent can't be bothered to have a complete stream list in the book.
I would be all for that as long as the regs would still fit into my 54L full frame backpack. So...I'm not real hopeful.
