Commercial fishing

Fish and shellfish harvested in Washington waters make their way to markets around the world.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) oversees regulations and management for a variety of fisheries, working to ensure a robust commercial fishing and shellfishing industry for the future.

If you are interested in receiving periodic email updates for commercial fishers, charters and guides, please sign up to our mailing lists.

Commercial fisheries

Commercial Dungeness crab fishery

Commercial crabbing in Washington takes place in Puget Sound and on the coast.
Commercial Puget Sound salmon fishery

Puget Sound is home to a commercial salmon fishing fleet that includes purse seiners, gillnetters and reef netters.
Commercial Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor gillnet salmon fishery

Information for the Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor commercial gillnet fishery.
Commercial wild stock geoduck clam fishery

WDFW is responsible for biological management and enforcement of regulations for this valuable shellfish.
Commercial Puget Sound herring fishery

See monthly and annual landings from the commercial herring fishery in Puget Sound.
Commercial Puget Sound smelt fishery

A commercial fishery for smelt is allowed in Puget Sound waters using drag (beach) seine gear with area, timing, and gear restrictions.
Commercial razor clam fishery

Commercial harvest of razor clams is an old, but small fishery in Washington.
Commercial sea urchin fishery

Commercial sea urchin regulations, harvest areas, and quotas in Washington.
Commercial sea cucumber fishery

Information about commercial sea cucumber harvest areas and quotas in Washington waters.
Commercial coastal hagfish fishery

A delicacy in some parts of the world, hagfish are harvested both live and frozen in Washington.
Commercial shrimp fisheries

Commercial shrimping on the Washington coast and Puget Sound are long-running fisheries that provide economic benefits to local communities.
Commercial albacore tuna fishery

Fishers in Washington have been harvesting albacore tuna commercially for over 100 years.
Commercial purse seine fishery for Pacific sardine

Information on the commercial purse seine fishery for Pacific sardines.
Commercial coastal salmon fishery

Find additional information and the latest regulations for Washington's coastal salmon fishery.
Columbia River fisheries and management

Information about Columbia River fisheries.
Commercial fishing guide logbooks

Commercial fishing guides are required to submit information on angler catch and participation in Washington.
Commercial scallop regulations

Find information about the regulations, landings, and health information relevant to the commercial dive fishery for pink and spiny scallops.
Commercial squid

Opal or market squid are generally distributed throughout the Washington coast, Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the San Juan Islands.
Fishing Charters and Guides

Find more information about WDFW's work with fishing charters and guides as well as resources for operating as a guide or charter in Washington state.
WA-Tix Electronic Fish Ticket Reporting

WA-Tix is an application that allows users to complete mandatory electronic fish ticket reporting requirements.