About
Fish Washington is a free official app developed by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) designed for both novice and experienced anglers across Washington State. The app delivers real-time emergency regulation updates for every freshwater and marine body of water in Washington, ensuring anglers always have the most current rules at their fingertips. New features introduced for 2026 include electronic catch record cards that allow users to log salmon, steelhead, halibut, sturgeon, and Dungeness crab catches — even without a cell signal. Anglers can also check and display their active license privileges, purchase license products directly through the app, and manage all credentials securely in one place. The app includes a rich set of tools: USGS river gauges with location awareness, NOAA tidal predictions for marine and lower Columbia River areas, harvest limits and allowable gear details per water body, and an interactive map showing boat launches and access points. Users can drop personal waypoints and report poaching directly from the map. Offline functionality is a standout feature — downloadable updates keep the app fully usable in remote areas or on the water where cell service is unavailable. Paper license holders can still benefit from GPS maps and current regulations, though catch reporting requires a mobile license. The app is available for free on both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play).
Key Features
- Real-Time Regulation Updates: Receive up-to-the-minute emergency regulation changes for every lake, river, stream, and marine area in Washington State.
- Electronic Catch Record Cards: Log salmon, steelhead, halibut, sturgeon, and Dungeness crab catches online or offline directly from your mobile device.
- License Management & Purchase: View, display, and purchase fishing license privileges securely from within the app, anytime and anywhere.
- Offline Maps & Offline Access: Download regulation updates and maps in advance for full functionality in remote areas without cell service.
- USGS River Gauges & NOAA Tidal Predictions: Access location-enabled river gauge data and tidal predictions for marine water bodies and the lower Columbia River to plan trips more effectively.
Use Cases
- Checking up-to-the-minute fishing regulations before heading to a specific lake, river, or marine area in Washington.
- Logging and tracking salmon, steelhead, halibut, or crab catches electronically — even while offline in remote locations.
- Managing and displaying active fishing license privileges during a warden check or while purchasing new products on the go.
- Planning fishing trips by reviewing boat launch locations, waypoints, USGS river gauge levels, and NOAA tidal predictions.
- Reporting poaching activity in progress directly from the app's map interface.
Pros
- Completely Free: The app is available at no cost on both iOS and Android, making it accessible to all Washington anglers.
- Offline Functionality: Downloadable updates ensure the app remains fully usable in remote or low-connectivity fishing locations.
- All-in-One Fishing Companion: Combines regulations, maps, catch tracking, license management, river data, and poaching reporting in a single app.
Cons
- Washington State Only: The app is exclusively designed for fishing in Washington State and is not useful for anglers in other regions.
- Catch Reporting Requires Mobile License: Paper license holders cannot report catches or harvests within the app, limiting a key feature for some users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fish Washington app free to download?
Yes, the Fish Washington app is completely free and available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Can I use the app without cell service?
Yes. The app supports offline use through downloadable regulation updates and maps, making it suitable for remote areas and on-the-water fishing.
Can I purchase a fishing license through the app?
Yes, the app allows you to purchase and manage fishing license products directly within the app.
What species can I track with the electronic catch record cards?
You can log catches for salmon, steelhead, halibut, sturgeon, and Dungeness crab using the new electronic catch record cards.
Who do I contact for technical support?
You can reach the WDFW app support team at [email protected] or by calling 360-902-2464. Feedback can also be submitted via the Apple App Store or Google Play.
