MyWDFW mobile app

Become a MyWDFW mobile customer

Before customers buy their first license product for a given license year, recreational hunters and anglers can select to be a mobile or paper license holder in their WILD profile. 

Choosing either paper or mobile means you are making that selection for all your recreational licensing purchases for that license year, which begins April 1 and ends March 31 annually. Customers can select their preference again at the beginning of the following license year.  

Choosing mobile means all license purchases for that license year will be electronic. Once mobile is selected, it cannot change for the license year.  Mobile license holders can switch back to being paper customers the following license year.

Choosing paper means all license purchases for that license year will be paper. Paper customers can switch to mobile during the license year if they have not used their tags or catch record cards. They will be required to turn in their paper tags or catch record cards before the request to switch them to mobile can be processed. Contact licensing@dfw.wa.gov for assistance.

Enter your catch

Be sure to update and log in to the MyWDFW mobile app before you go fishing.

To use an electronic catch record card: 

1. Immediately upon harvesting crab, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut, navigate to the “Home” page.
2. Select the “Add catch/ harvest” section at the top of the home page.
3. Scroll to find the correct associated active catch card and select “Add catch.”
4. Fill out the required information and click submit. 

Crab harvesters only: If no data is entered into the electronic crab catch record cards, mobile crab endorsement holders will be required to declare whether they harvested crab or not via an end-of-season survey. Mobile crab endorsement holders will be notified via email when the survey is open. Failure to submit this survey will result in a $10 fine.

Electronically tag big game or turkey 

Be sure to update and log into the MyWDFW mobile app before you go hunting.

1. Immediately upon harvesting the animal, navigate to the “Add Catch or Harvest” section of the app from the Home page.
2. Click “Notch” on your big game or turkey tag.
3. Enter the required information and click submit.
4. Once the tag is notched in the app, write down the confirmation number that the app provides and the harvest date on anything that will stand up to the elements, such as flagging or duct tape. Attach it to the animal like a traditional tag and keep it attached while in transport.

Note: To show your license and tag to Enforcement, your phone must be charged.

Report migratory bird harvests

Submit your harvests and end-of-season reports with just a few taps:

1. Log in to the MyWDFW mobile app with your username and password for WILD.
2. Go to “Add a Catch or Harvest.”
3. Find the Harvest Report Card for your migratory bird species.
4. Select “Add Bird to Card.”
5. Select the county of your harvest and, if requested, the species code.
6. Hit “Save.”

Your harvest has been added to your e-harvest card. You may view the current season’s harvest by selecting “View” on your e-harvest card.

What features do MyWDFW and Fish Washington® have?

Anglers can choose between the Fish Washington® app or the new MyWDFW app; hunters must use MyWDFW for harvest reporting.

• The MyWDFW mobile app allows app users to purchase licenses, use hunter e-tagging, report migratory bird harvests, submit fish and crab harvest data, complete annual harvest surveys, and display active licenses directly from their smartphones.
• The Fish Washington® mobile app supports fish and crab catch record card reporting and displays active licenses, but it does not include functionality for migratory bird reporting or e-tagging of game species.

Which app do I need?

It depends on your outdoor activities in Washington:

• Fishing only: Use the Fish Washington® app. It includes up-to-the-minute fishing regulations and helps anglers avoid duplicate license or harvest reporting.
• Hunting only: Use the MyWDFW app.
• Both hunting and fishing: You may choose to use only the MyWDFW app. Some people may also keep using the Fish Washington® app for quick access to fishing regulations.

Can I use both apps?

Yes. Both apps connect to the same WDFW licensing system. Many hunters and anglers will find that using just one app is easier, but it’s fine to use both.

Paper vs. Mobile Licensing

How and when do I choose to be a mobile or paper license holder?

You’ll make your selection at the time of purchase.

• Starting with the 2026-2027 license year: Customers can choose either mobile or paper licenses when buying through a dealer, online, or in the app.
• Once selected, that choice applies to all eligible license products for the license year.

Can I continue using paper licenses?

Yes. Paper licenses remain an option.

• For the current 2025 license year, only paper licenses are available.
• Beginning with the 2026-2027 license year, customers may choose either mobile or paper licenses.

This means you’ll continue to use paper throughout the remainder of the 2025 license year, but you’ll be able to select mobile when purchasing your 2026-2027 licenses.

Paper license products will look different this license year compared to in the past. Beginning July 8, 2026, WDFW will no longer provide hunting and fishing licenses or other license products on waterproof, tear-resistant license paper and is encouraging the use of mobile licensing. After July 8, WDFW license dealers and WDFW offices can print customers’ license products, including catch record cards, on standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch copy paper. Paper license customers can also print their license products at home. Learn more about this licensing update.

Switching between mobile and paper licensing

• Switching from paper to mobile: Allowed if you haven’t used any tags or catch cards. You can switch once during a license year.
• Switching from mobile to paper: Not allowed until the next license year begins.

Once a customer selects mobile licensing and completes a purchase, they cannot switch back to paper until the start of the next license year. Customers should carefully consider their preference before making their first purchase.

Customers who originally selected paper licensing may switch to mobile only if they have not used any physical tags or catch record cards. To make the switch:

1. Email WDFW Customer Service at: licensing@dfw.wa.gov
2. Use the subject line: “Switch from paper to mobile”
3. Attach a photo of your unused and voided tags and catch record cards.
4. Once approved, you’ll be able to download the MyWDFW app or Fish Washington® app and access your license products digitally.

This switch cannot be processed at dealer locations.

Where can I buy my license?

• Mobile license holders: You can still purchase your license from a dealer, online through the WILD web portal, or in the mobile app (which redirects to the WILD web portal). Your license will then appear digitally in the app.
• Paper license holders: You can continue to purchase from a dealer or online through the WILD web portal, and you will receive paper license documents. After July 8, 2026, WDFW license dealers and WDFW offices can print customers’ license products, including catch record cards, on standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch copy paper. Paper license customers can also print their license products at home.

Using the Apps

Do I have to log in each time I open the app?

• As long as you don't manually log out of the app, you will remain logged into the app for 6 months.

Do I have to submit harvest and catch record cards (CRCs) digitally?

• Mobile license holders: Yes, you must submit catch and harvest data digitally.
  • For Puget Sound crab and fish species CRCs, if you have recorded catches on the app, they will be automatically uploaded at the end of the season. If you have no Puget Sound crab catches, you will need to submit a harvest report indicating no harvested crab.
  • Hunting harvest reports, including migratory bird, will need to be submitted and can be completed in the app.
• Paper license holders: You will continue to submit paper harvest and catch cards as usual.

Will commercial licenses be available through the apps?

Yes, but only certain ones. Taxidermy, Trapper, Fur Dealer, and Crew Member licenses will be available in digital form in the apps.

When you buy these licenses, the app will seamlessly redirect you to the WILD web portal to complete your transaction. Once the purchase is confirmed, your license will appear digitally in the app.

At this time, no other commercial licenses are available in the apps.

How will Enforcement check mobile licenses?

Both apps display the required license and harvest information for field compliance checks.

Will the apps work offline?

Yes. Data entered offline is stored on your device and will sync automatically when you’re back in service.

Do the apps track my location?

No. The apps do not track or store GPS coordinates. When recording a harvest, you’ll be asked to select a waterbody or game management unit.

Do the apps store my payment information?

No. Just like the WILD web portal, the apps do not retain payment data.

How quickly will licenses appear in the app after purchase?

Licenses purchased through the app should appear immediately if your device has an internet connection. If the license products do not show up immediately, press the “Sync Account” option in the menu.

What devices support the apps?

Both apps will be available for download from the Apple App Store (iOS devices such as iPhone and iPad) and the Google Play Store (Android smartphones and tablets).

 Vehicle Access Pass (VAP)

• Customers receive a confirmation email with a link to print a PDF VAP on standard 8.5 x 11 paper
• They must handwrite up to two license plate numbers on the pass
• If no printer is available, customers may write the confirmation number and plate number on a blank sheet of paper
• The pass must be placed visibly on the vehicle dashboard while parked

Companion Cards (Designated Harvester, Hunter, Trapper)

• Viewable in the mobile app under active privileges
• A printable PDF is sent via confirmation email and can be:
  • Shared digitally with the companion (email or text)
  • Printed on 8.5 x 11 paper for physical use
• Duplicate PDFs are available in the customer’s order history

Discover Pass

• Still printed at dealer locations for mobile customers
• Online purchases fulfilled by customer service staff
• Mobile customers still need to display the physical Discover Pass placards in their vehicles