Washington visitors almost never buy “just a license.” You choose freshwater, saltwater, shellfish, or combination, then add catch record cards (CRCs) for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab—and, starting January 1, 2026, many Columbia River salmon/steelhead trips also need the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE).
Parent CRC-focused guide: Washington Fishing License 2026. CRC deep-dive: Washington Catch Record Card.
2026 Nonresident Annual Fees (WDFW table)
Fees below follow WDFW’s published types-and-fees table (effective framing into 2026; confirm live dealer/online totals including transaction components).
| License type | Nonresident fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Combination (includes Vehicle Access Pass) | $170.00 | Freshwater + saltwater + shellfish/seaweed privileges as defined by WDFW |
| Freshwater (includes VAP) | $115.85 | Freshwater-focused trips |
| Saltwater (includes VAP) | $81.70 | Marine-focused trips |
| Shellfish/Seaweed | $47.39 | Shellfish/seaweed privileges |
| Razor Clam | $28.07 | Razor clam trips |
| Nonresident Disabled Veteran Combination | $74.37 | Qualifying nonresident disabled veterans pay resident combination rate |
Resident comparison anchors: Combination $74.37, Fish Washington package $101.88 (resident-oriented package; not a general nonresident SKU).
Short-Term Combination Prices
| Short-term combo | Nonresident fee |
|---|---|
| 1-Day Combination | $27.05 |
| 2-Day Combination | $39.19 |
| 3-Day Combination | $48.30 |
| 3-Day Razor Clam | $11.79 |
Multi-day short-term licenses are used on consecutive days. Short-term products have historically carried special spring game-fish validity footnotes—read the live WDFW short-term notes before an opener-week visit. Short-term licenses typically do not include a Vehicle Access Pass the way annual combination/freshwater/saltwater rows do.
Daily vs Annual Break-Even (Combination Path)
| Trip length | Short-term math | Annual combo $170 | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $27.05 | $170 | 1-day |
| 2 days | $39.19 | $170 | 2-day |
| 3 days | $48.30 | $170 | 3-day |
| Two separate long weekends | Multiple short-term buys | $170 | Often annual if you return |
| Mixed freshwater + saltwater + shellfish season | Stacking single-water annuals can exceed combo | $170 | Combination |
CRC Rules Visitors Miss
Everyone—including youth under 16 who are license-exempt—must carry a CRC when targeting CRC species:
- Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon (fish CRC; often no extra dollar fee with qualifying licenses, but must be issued)
- Halibut (separate Halibut CRC; about $5.50 when issued)
- Puget Sound Dungeness crab (crab CRC tied to crab endorsement path)
For 2026–27, electronic CRCs (eCRCs) are available via MyWDFW and Fish Washington apps for mobile licensing customers. Paper CRCs must still be returned by deadline even with zero catch.
Columbia River Salmon & Steelhead Endorsement (2026)
Beginning January 1, 2026, anglers age 15+ need the CRSSE to fish recreationally for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and many of its Washington tributaries. WDFW lists the total cost after transaction/dealer fees at about $8.75 for anglers 16+ (resident or nonresident), with a lower youth/senior row for age 15 and resident seniors 70+.
This stacks on top of a valid fishing license. A nonresident combination license alone is not enough for CRSSE waters.
Nonresident Disabled Veteran Note
Qualifying nonresident disabled veterans can purchase a combination fishing license at the resident combination price ($74.37 in the published table). Eligibility follows WDFW/RCW reduced-rate disabled-veteran rules—bring VA documentation and do not assume every disability rating qualifies.
How to Buy as a Visitor
- Use WDFW licensing, MyWDFW / Fish Washington apps, phone, or a dealer.
- Provide SSN as required for ages 16+.
- Choose freshwater, saltwater, shellfish, razor clam, or combination (or short-term combo).
- Add CRCs / crab endorsement / Halibut CRC / CRSSE for your itinerary.
- If you need a CRC the same day, prefer mobile eCRC or a dealer—mail fulfillment can take days and temporary licenses do not include temporary CRCs/tags.
Common Visitor Mistakes
- Buying freshwater only for a Puget Sound salmon trip.
- Skipping CRCs because “I’m only here three days.”
- Ignoring the 2026 Columbia River endorsement on a Bonneville-area steelhead trip.
- Assuming short-term combo includes a Vehicle Access Pass.
- Letting a license-exempt child fish CRC species without a CRC.
FAQ
How much is a Washington nonresident fishing license?
Combination annual is $170. Freshwater annual is $115.85; saltwater annual is $81.70. Short-term combination runs $27.05 / $39.19 / $48.30 for 1/2/3 days.
Do nonresidents need a catch record card?
Yes whenever targeting CRC species—same as residents. Youth under 16 still need CRCs for those species.
Is there a cheap weekend license?
Use 1-, 2-, or 3-day combination products. They are consecutive-day short-term licenses, not a floating “any three days this month” pass.
Does annual combination include crab and halibut paperwork?
Combination covers defined shellfish privileges, but crab CRC/endorsement paths and Halibut CRC fees still follow WDFW stacking rules—add them explicitly at checkout.
Nonresident License Cart Decision Tree
Use this sequence before you open FishHunt. It mirrors how WDFW structures products and avoids the freshwater-only mistake that catches many out-of-state salmon anglers.
START → Which waters will you fish?
│
├─ Freshwater lakes/rivers ONLY
│ └─ Buy Freshwater annual ($115.85) OR skip annual if ≤3 consecutive days
│ └─ Add Fish CRC if targeting salmon/steelhead/sturgeon
│
├─ Puget Sound / coastal marine ONLY
│ └─ Buy Saltwater annual ($81.70) OR short-term combo if multi-water not needed
│ └─ Add Halibut CRC (~$5.50) if halibut is on the plan
│ └─ Add crab CRC path if Puget Sound Dungeness crab
│
├─ BOTH freshwater AND saltwater in one season
│ └─ Buy Combination annual ($170) — usually beats stacking single-water annuals
│ └─ Stack CRCs/endorsements for every species on the itinerary
│
├─ Shellfish/seaweed or razor clam ONLY
│ └─ Buy Shellfish/Seaweed ($47.39) or Razor Clam ($28.07) as defined by WDFW
│
└─ Trip ≤3 consecutive days, mixed waters
└─ Compare 1/2/3-Day Combination ($27.05 / $39.19 / $48.30) vs annual combo
└─ Remember: short-term combo typically does NOT include Vehicle Access PassAfter you pick the base license, run a second pass for CRSSE if any Columbia River salmon or steelhead water is on the calendar (January 1, 2026 onward for anglers 15+).
Freshwater vs Saltwater vs Combination for Out-of-State Anglers
Washington does not sell one universal nonresident card. The parent Washington Fishing License page explains the CRC stack; this table focuses on which annual nonresident SKU fits common visitor itineraries.
| If your trip looks like… | Start with | Why not the cheaper single-water card? |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-area salmon from a pier or charter | Saltwater $81.70 or Combination $170 | Freshwater alone does not cover marine salmon |
| Columbia River steelhead (below Bonneville) | Combination $170 + CRSSE ~$8.75 | CRSSE stacks on a valid license; freshwater-only still needs CRSSE waters checked |
| Lake Wenatchee kokanee + Puget Sound crab | Combination $170 | Stacking freshwater $115.85 + saltwater $81.70 = $197.55 before CRCs |
| Inland trout/bass only, no CRC species | Freshwater $115.85 | No need to pay combination premium |
| Razor clam only on coastal beaches | Razor Clam $28.07 or short-term 3-Day Razor $11.79 | Combination is overkill for a clam-only weekend |
| Halibut out of Westport or Neah Bay | Saltwater or Combination + Halibut CRC ~$5.50 | Halibut CRC is separate from the free fish CRC |
Stacking math reminder: Freshwater $115.85 plus Saltwater $81.70 totals $197.55—$27.55 more than Combination $170 before any CRC or endorsement fees. Most mixed-water visitors should default to combination unless the trip is strictly single-water for the whole license year.
Trip Scenario Checkout Guides
Build the cart from the target fishery, not from whichever license is cheapest on the first dropdown.
Scenario A: Three-day Puget Sound salmon charter
| Cart line | Nonresident fee (published) | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Combination | $48.30 | Yes — covers marine + any incidental freshwater if the charter moves |
| Fish CRC (salmon) | Often no extra dollar fee with qualifying license | Yes — must be issued even on short-term |
| Halibut CRC | ~$5.50 if halibut is targeted | Only if halibut is on the plan |
| Vehicle Access Pass | Not bundled on short-term combo | No — plan launch fees separately |
Scenario B: Week-long Columbia River steelhead (2026+)
| Cart line | Nonresident fee (published) | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Combination annual | $170.00 | Yes — valid license base |
| Fish CRC (steelhead) | Often no extra dollar fee | Yes |
| CRSSE | ~$8.75 (16+; lower youth/senior row for age 15 / resident seniors 70+) | Yes for Columbia salmon/steelhead and listed tributaries from Jan 1, 2026 |
| Disabled Veteran Combination | $74.37 if you qualify | Substitutes resident-rate combination for qualifying nonresident disabled veterans |
A combination license alone is not enough for CRSSE waters—you must add CRSSE at checkout.
Scenario C: Family trip with kids under 16
| Angler | License | CRC |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 16+ | Required product matching water type | Required when targeting CRC species |
| Youth under 16 | Generally license-exempt | Still required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, Puget Sound Dungeness crab |
WDFW’s youth rule is a common citation source: license-exempt does not mean paperwork-exempt for CRC species.
Scenario D: Puget Sound Dungeness crab weekend
| Cart line | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combination or shellfish privileges as defined by WDFW | Crab endorsement path ties to shellfish/combination privileges |
| Puget Sound Dungeness crab CRC | Separate summer vs winter/fall cards with different return deadlines |
| Recording | Record retained crab immediately before redeploying gear |
Coastal crab management can differ from Puget Sound CRC workflows—confirm the area before you deploy pots.
Catch Record Card Reporting for Visitors
Out-of-state anglers are subject to the same CRC return rules as residents. Missing a deadline after you fly home can still trigger enforcement follow-up.
| Card type | Return timing (WDFW guidance) | Zero-catch rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fish CRC (salmon, steelhead, sturgeon) | Due by April 30 following the license year | Must return even with zero catch |
| Summer Puget Sound crab CRC | Due by Oct. 1 following the summer season | Must return even with zero catch |
| Winter/fall crab CRC | Due by Feb. 1 following the winter season | Must return even with zero catch |
| Halibut CRC | Follow WDFW halibut reporting guidance for the season | Confirm live reporting path at checkout |
For 2026–27, electronic CRCs (eCRCs) via MyWDFW and Fish Washington apps are available for mobile licensing customers. Paper CRCs must still be returned by deadline even if you also used eCRC for part of the season—follow WDFW’s current medium rules and do not invent a hybrid workflow.
Visitor tip: If you buy at a dealer on day one and mail fulfillment takes days, you may not have a CRC in possession when the bite turns on. Prefer mobile eCRC or an in-person dealer path when same-day CRC possession matters.
Vehicle Access Pass and Annual vs Short-Term Products
Many annual WDFW combination, freshwater, and saltwater products include a Vehicle Access Pass (VAP) for agency land and boat-launch access as defined in the published fee table. Short-term combination products historically do not include VAP the same way annual rows do.
| Product class | VAP signal (WDFW table framing) | Visitor planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Combination annual $170 | Includes VAP per published row | Useful if you will use WDFW access sites repeatedly |
| Freshwater annual $115.85 | Includes VAP per published row | Same access benefit; no marine privilege |
| Saltwater annual $81.70 | Includes VAP per published row | Marine-focused with access sites |
| 1/2/3-Day Combination | Typically no VAP like annual rows | Budget launch/access fees separately |
| Shellfish-only annual $47.39 | Check live row—may differ from combo VAP bundle | Clam/crab-only trips may still need access planning |
Do not assume Free Fishing Weekend waives CRC duties. WDFW materials note CRC requirements can still apply for CRC species even when license fees are waived on free-fishing events—confirm the current Free Fishing Weekend page before you leave CRCs at home.
Purchase Channels Compared
| Channel | Best for nonresidents when… | CRC same-day risk |
|---|---|---|
| FishHunt online | You plan ahead and can print or use mobile proof | Mail delay for paper CRC—use eCRC or dealer if fishing tomorrow |
| MyWDFW / Fish Washington apps | You want 2026 eCRC workflow | Low if eCRC appears in app before you leave |
| License dealers / WDFW offices | You need paper in hand today | Lowest for immediate possession |
| Phone | You cannot use web checkout | Confirm fulfillment timing with the agent |
Checkout checklist for visitors
- Confirm resident vs nonresident status (visitors always buy nonresident rows unless a published exemption applies, such as qualifying disabled veteran rate).
- Match water type: freshwater, saltwater, combination, shellfish, or razor clam—or short-term combo for ≤3 consecutive days.
- Add every CRC, crab endorsement, Halibut CRC, and CRSSE line your itinerary requires in one checkout when possible.
- For ages 16+, provide SSN as required by WDFW.
- Screenshot or print proof before ferry rides and remote beach days.
- Confirm eCRC entries in the app if you chose mobile licensing.
Nonresident Disabled Veteran and Qualifying Reduced Rates
Qualifying nonresident disabled veterans may purchase a Nonresident Disabled Veteran Combination at the resident combination rate ($74.37 in the published table)—not the $170 standard nonresident combination row. Eligibility follows WDFW/RCW reduced-rate disabled-veteran rules; bring VA documentation and do not assume every disability rating qualifies.
| Product | Standard nonresident | Qualifying disabled veteran |
|---|---|---|
| Combination | $170.00 | $74.37 (resident combination rate) |
| CRSSE, Halibut CRC, crab paths | Same stacking rules | Same stacking rules—reduced combo does not replace endorsements |
Reduced-rate combination still requires the same CRC and CRSSE stacking as any other qualifying license base.
Expanded FAQ
What is the cheapest way for a nonresident to fish Washington for one weekend?
The 1-Day Combination ($27.05) is the lowest published short-term combo row for mixed-water access on a single consecutive day. If you only need freshwater and will not touch CRC species, confirm whether a freshwater-only short-term product fits—but most salmon/steelhead visitors need combination plus CRC lines.
Can I buy a Washington license if I live in Oregon or Idaho?
Yes. Nonresident rows apply based on WDFW residency rules at checkout, not on proximity. Border anglers still need Washington credentials when fishing Washington waters under Washington rules.
Do I need CRSSE for Puget Sound salmon?
CRSSE applies to Columbia River salmon and steelhead and many listed Washington tributaries from January 1, 2026—not as a blanket Puget Sound add-on. Match CRSSE to CRSSE waters on your map, not to every salmon trip statewide.
Does the Fish Washington resident package work for nonresidents?
The Fish Washington package ($101.88 resident-oriented) is not a general nonresident SKU in the published framing. Nonresidents typically choose combination or single-water annual rows and stack CRCs/endorsements manually.
Can a license-exempt child fish halibut without paperwork?
No. Everyone—including youth under 16—must carry the Halibut CRC when targeting halibut, and must record/report under WDFW rules.
What happens if I forget to return a CRC after flying home?
WDFW requires return/reporting by published deadlines even with zero catch. Treat CRC return as part of trip close-out, same as hotel checkout.
Related Reading
- Washington Fishing License 2026
- Washington Catch Record Card
- Resident vs Nonresident Fishing License
- Short-Term Day Fishing License
- Fishing License Fees by State
- US Fishing License Guide 2026
Sources
Nonresident annual and short-term fees, VAP notes, disabled-veteran resident-rate combination row, CRC overview, and CRSSE 2026 cost framing drawn from WDFW fishing license types/fees and CRSSE pages (accessed 2026). Confirm live checkout totals before you fish.