WDFW Digital license

[Bruce Baker]

I bought my old man fishing license in case I get an opportunity to get out (I look at it as a ~$10 donation), along with a Discover Pass and encountered no problems. The pass arrived in today's mail. The only question I have is re: the printed WDFW Vehicle Access Pass . . . since you print it, can you print 2 and keep 1 in each veof the 2 vehicles you list?

I didn't see anyone answer your question. I don't see why you can't do this. WDFW is just looking for a valid pass and that the license plate on the vehicle matches the license plate number on the pass. I plan on printing 2 of them.

 

[Jim F.]

Thanks @Bruce Baker ! That's pretty much how I viewed it.

 

[Bruce Baker]

I bought my new paper combo license at Fred’s yesterday, it’s still printed on waterproof paper. Man at that price, I asked if it came with a vintage Hardy reel??

The waterproof paper goes away on July 8th.

 

[_WW_]

I didn't see anyone answer your question. I don't see why you can't do this. WDFW is just looking for a valid pass and that the license plate on the vehicle matches the license plate number on the pass. I plan on printing 2 of them.

And if you have 3 cars, well...

 

[Eastside]

Unless your mind is on vacation while your mouth is workin' overtime during a WDFW LEO encounter I believe that if someone has a phone or app issue during a license check, it will be fine because they can easily lookup a License on their laptop or a quick radio call. I am curious though about the inability to show an Electronic Catch Record of fish in my possession. But I would have to be a good angler for that to be a real concern.

It’s that way in Oregon. I was fishing the Deschutes last fall along the road when an Oregon State Patrol truck pulled up behind mine. When I started to reel up to climb the steep bank to the road, the officer told me that I could stay put, asked my name and looked me up. After verifying my address, he told me that I was good to go. I imagine it would be the same with a Washington officer. I did buy a paper license this year, but may switch to electronic next year. It would be good to have a paper copy in my wallet as well as the phone.

 

[Fourbtgait]

I thought it would show up on the Fish Washington app, it still says no fishing privileges lol.
Sure, it’s on Mywdfw, but should be on both?

 

[offensivename]

Weird, I switched to digital as soon as they announced it was a thing, But I'm listed as a paper license holder on the side and in the app. Guess I have another year of wrangling a mile of paper.

 

[charles sullivan]

It’s that way in Oregon. I was fishing the Deschutes last fall along the road when an Oregon State Patrol truck pulled up behind mine. When I started to reel up to climb the steep bank to the road, the officer told me that I could stay put, asked my name and looked me up. After verifying my address, he told me that I was good to go. I imagine it would be the same with a Washington officer. I did buy a paper license this year, but may switch to electronic next year. It would be good to have a paper copy in my wallet as well as the phone.

They can already look it up in WA state. I had an old license on me duringa C&R fishery a couple years ago. They just checked it at the vehicle.

 

[Brian Miller]

Weird, I switched to digital as soon as they announced it was a thing, But I'm listed as a paper license holder on the side and in the app. Guess I have another year of wrangling a mile of paper.

I suspect the app isn't going to open to bring up the catch record entry screen (or to display a license) until April Fools Day; that's an interesting coincidence...
I am curious though about the inability to show an Electronic Catch Record of fish in my possession. But I would have to be a good angler for that to be a real concern.

Doh! April Fools!
My Catch Card won't open today.

But I would have to be fishing today for Salmon or Steelhead and be a good angler for it to be a concern.
Maybe WDFW LEOs will have paper Catch Cards to hand out.
Mind your manners.

 

[BriGuy]

Doh! April Fools!
My Catch Card won't open today.
View attachment 181129
But I would have to be fishing today for Salmon or Steelhead and be a good angler for it to be a concern.
Maybe WDFW LEOs will have paper Catch Cards to hand out.
Mind your manners.

Wait! You have to be a good angler to actually use a catch card?

Well, crap...

 

[flybill]

I herd your licenses are free today! Go gettem!! They come on stone tablets though.. plus an additional stone tablet for your catch card and parking pass!

You can find them behind the burning bush! Ask for Moses, he was very helpful and a blast to fish with! He'll show you what's in the water before your first cast!!

 

[DryFly82]

I just checked. My catch card is working on the MyWDFW app.

 

[Brian Miller]

I just checked. My catch card is working on the MyWDFW app.
View attachment 181133

I had to close MyWDFW and go back in after I saw your post to access it.

The Electronic Catch Report - Electronic License link from FishWA still doesn't work (yet)...
My 2025-2026 paper license is shown below the yellow "Paper License Holder". But Hey, it's up to date for regs changes!

 

[Bambooflyguy]

So do you have to turn in your phone at the end of April if your punch card is on it??

 

[flybill]

So do you have to turn in your phone at the end of April if your punch card is on it??

Turn in your old rotary phone and see if they accept it!

 

[Billy]

I went electronic. Easy as can be.

 

[Stonedfish]

Went to Fred Meyer to get my paper license. Their printer was broken so off to another Fred Meyer.
The gal working the counter said that when you purchased your license last year, there was a box for digital even though it wasn’t available yet. If that box got checked, when someone went to purchase a paper license this year it would purchase the digital version for you and no license would print out. Luckily whoever sold me my license last year didn’t check that box.
I don’t know how accurate that info is but she was clearly frustrated and has worked at that store for a number of years.
SF

 

[Chucker]

According to the fish checker at the Shilshole ramp this morning, almost everyone who has the electronic license has had problems with the electronic catch record card today. Although, the paper one had problems too, it was so darn wet that the ink smudged….

 

[Brian Miller]

Went to Fred Meyer to get my paper license. Their printer was broken so off to another Fred Meyer.
The gal working the counter said that when you purchased your license last year, there was a box for digital even though it wasn’t available yet. If that box got checked, when someone went to purchase a paper license this year it would purchase the digital version for you and no license would print out. Luckily whoever sold me my license last year didn’t check that box.
I don’t know how accurate that info is but she was clearly frustrated and has worked at that store for a number of years.
SF

I have been going into the WDFW WildID site to purchase a license for a few years. https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/login
This year there was a mandatory "radio button" selection for Electronic or Paper. I assumed it was checked Paper because they didn't have an Electronic option last year. Until I checked digital, I could only purchase a paper license and could not login to the MyWDFW app

 

[Bambooflyguy]

I’m old guy old school…..I’m going paper until they make me get a stupid cell phone!