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A fishing contest is defined as any event where six or more licensed anglers (age 15 and older) fish competitively for game fish and determine winners, regardless of the prize value. A permit is required by the department and the fee is $24.00 per permit (no more than seven permits will be issued to any one permittee during the calendar year). Applications for fishing contest permits may be submitted at any time of the year, but they must be received by the department no less than 30 days prior to the start date of the proposed contest. However, applications for fishing contest permits for bass and walleye contests must be received by the department by July 1 of the year preceding the year in which the contests are planned to be held. These applications will be processed simultaneously so all applicants have an equal opportunity to get preferred dates. Bass and walleye fishing contest applications received after July 1 will be processed on a first come first serve basis. Upon completion of a fishing contest, a final report is required to be submitted within 30 days. Please see the link to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) that governs fishing events for more detailed information.
Fishing contests that are restricted
to individuals under 15 years of age are defined as juvenile fishing events.
A juvenile fishing event exists when ten or more juveniles fish competitively
and determine winners, regardless of the prize value. Sponsors of juvenile fishing
events must inform the department regional office in which the event will occur.
For juvenile fishing events requesting fish from the department, an application
for a fishing contest permit must be submitted by February 1 of the year in
which the contest is planned and upon completion of the event, a final report
must be submitted. Please see the link to the WAC that governs juvenile fishing
events for more detailed information.
The forms for an application, final report, aquatic invasive species decontamination
statement, and aquatic invasive species decontamination report, may be obtained
from the department at 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091 or by clicking
the appropriate link under the "For more information."
Please note that the PDF versions
of the application and final report forms may be filled out electronically.
However, if this is done, the completed form must then be printed because the
information entered cannot not be saved.
This form is filled out while on-line and the information is sent to the agency
via an email.
There may be other permits that are required by WDFW and other agencies in addition to the WDFW Permit to Conduct a Fishing Contest for the Taking of Game Fish. These permits are dependent upon the body of water being fished. Click here to see what other permits may be required.
For fishing contests taking place on Banks Lake (Grant Co.), Lake Wallula
(Benton Co.), and Long Lake (Spokane Co.) during the months of May and June,
only one largemouth bass 17” or greater in length may be retained per
angler.
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CONTEST CALENDAR
Online Form: 
