Fishing License 38% increase July 1, 2025

[Greg Price]

I purchased license with salt, 2 pole, catch card and discover pass today. $105.

If I waited till July 1rst or later I'd have to fork out an estimated 38 to 40 bucks

Yikes

Get your license now!!!

 

[Rob Allen]

If the police can look the other way while rioters burn cars game wardens should be forbidden from checking licenses.. or are some people more equal than others?

 

[albula]

If the police can look the other way while rioters burn cars game wardens should be forbidden from checking licenses.. or are some people more equal than others?

I can think of one who believes he is.

 

[Evan B]

Guys, let's not.

Keep the topic about the license increases and how it affects PNW anglers. If anyone wants to try their luck at not fishing with a license, that's their own prerogative. I'd just say let's not discuss that here.

I have done very, very little fishing in WA (not counting the Columbia where my Oregon license is valid) since becoming an Oregon resident, so this will just continue to add to my reasons to stick to Oregon waters. I already didn't find the out of state fees particularly worth the cost of admission vs what I have here.

 

[Phil Fravel]

Ya all get what ya voted for. Tax increases!!! Sad part is its tied in with less opportunity. I will continue to purchase a license for i fish ober 100 days a year. Its not like wdfw fault. Its voters getting what they asked for

 

[Buzzy]

I purchased license with salt, 2 pole, catch card and discover pass today. $105.

If I waited till July 1rst or later I'd have to fork out an estimated 38 to 40 bucks

Yikes

Get your license now!!!

Greg - WA licenses expire March 31st every year; you already missed April, May and half of June. Come on man! April and May - how can you miss two of the BEST months?

 

[_WW_]

The year I finally get my first senior discount rate and they raise the price.

 

[Wayne Kohan]

Well, you did get a Discover Pass, which is not a fishing license. Currently just a freshwater fishing license is only $27. Saltwater and 2-pole endorsements add in as well. It's still a hell of lot cheaper than going to a Mariners game, or a concert, or a Disneyland, or .....

 

[Greg Price]

Greg - WA licenses expire March 31st every year; you already missed April, May and half of June. Come on man! April and May - how can you miss two of the BEST months?

Seling house
, so wife has every spare moment towards that endeavor.

My ugly old drift boat out of garage and in storage unit for now.

Retirement condo has basement parking where hopefully I can store ugly boat.

 

[Greg Price]

My favorite fisheries, small urban and mountsin streams normally starts for me after July 4th so I am not battling high frigid snowmelt runoff water.

 

[Stonedfish]

Nobody likes increases, but in the grand scheme of things regarding the costs to go fishing, the license cost is pretty minimal.
Especially if you divide it over a year’s time and how many times you go fishing.
If I want to take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston to fish the Kitsap peninsula for the day, the round trip cost is $46.40. Add in $30 for gas….
SF

 

[Scottybs]

Ya all get what ya voted for. Tax increases!!! Sad part is its tied in with less opportunity. I will continue to purchase a license for i fish ober 100 days a year. Its not like wdfw fault. Its voters getting what they asked for

More taxes and less value…

 

[Snopro]

Last increase was 2011. What other products have held a steady price for the same time period? It's due.

 

[Mossback]

...game wardens should be forbidden from checking licenses...




The increase in license cost isn't even equal to inflation over the period since the last increase.

But carry on with your bitching and moaning...

 

[Mossback]

If I want to take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston to fish the Kitsap peninsula for the day, the round trip cost is $46.40. Add in $30 for gas….
SF

This...
Plus it's a waste of time to ferry across when you can just fish local in so many places over on that side.
Do your wallet a favor, stay close to home and you'll get more full days fishing to offset that bodacious license fee.

 

[DimeBrite]

Gas tax goes up tomorrow too.

 

[Fourbtgait]

Gas tax goes up tomorrow too.

Ugg, was already high enough.

 

[Mossback]

Gas tax goes up tomorrow too.

One more reason to stay close to home !!!
Avoid the ferry lines, avoid the Hood Canal Bridge, and do your wallet a favor...make this the year you fish locally !!!

 

[Uptonogood]

I now live in Florida but grew up in eastern Washington and lived in Seattle from the late ‘90’s to mid 20’ teens. Here in Florida I am over 65 years old and can fish for free, in marine, estuarine and freshwater. We have no State income tax, gas is about $3.00/gal, property taxes aren’t near Washington’s. I do need extra tags for a few fish but since I catch and release I don’t really need them. Just thought I’d throw that out there.

 

[Canuck from Kansas]

I now live in Florida but grew up in eastern Washington and lived in Seattle from the late ‘90’s to mid 20’ teens. Here in Florida I am over 65 years old and can fish for free, in marine, estuarine and freshwater. We have no State income tax, gas is about $3.00/gal, property taxes aren’t near Washington’s. I do need extra tags for a few fish but since I catch and release I don’t really need them. Just thought I’d throw that out there.

Yeah, but it's Florida, ohhhhh the heat - and how are the homeowner's insurance (if you can get it) and HOA/condo fees? Lots of tradeoffs.

cheers