These licenses are limited by moratorium. An existing license may be transferred to another owner, but no new licenses may be issued.
Salmon licenses
- Angler transfer
Authorizes the angler permits, all or a portion of, to be transferred to another salmon charter license holder. - Charter
A salmon charter license designating a vessel is required to operate a charter boat to take salmon, other food fish, and shellfish, for personal use. A salmon charter boat may not carry more anglers than the number specified in the angler permit. For more information see: Licensing Requirements for Charter Boats and Fishing Guides - Grays Harbor-Columbia River gill net
Authorizes the taking of salmon using specified gear and only in the geographical area for which the license is issued. Incidentally caught food fish other than salmon may, in certain circumstances, be retained. - Non-participation renewal (salmon only)
Authorizes the holder of a salmon license to renew it for the following year but not to participate in the fishery during that calendar year. Call WDFW Commercial Licensing for more information, 360-902-2464. Deadlines for notifying WDFW are: May 1st, for Salmon Delivery, Charter and Troll licenses 3rd Monday in September, for Gillnet, Purse Seine, and Reefnet licenses. - Puget Sound gill net
Authorizes the taking of salmon using specified gear and only in the geographical area for which the license is issued. Incidentally caught food fish other than salmon may, in certain circumstances, be retained. (See WAC 220-354-140) - Purse seine
Authorizes the taking of salmon using specified gear in Washington state waters. Incidentally caught food fish other than salmon may, in certain circumstances, be retained. (See WAC 220.354.120) - Reefnet
Authorizes the taking of salmon using specified gear in Washington state waters. Incidentally caught food fish other than salmon, in certain circumstances, may be retained. (See WAC 220-354-180) - Salmon delivery
Authorizes the delivery of salmon taken in off shore waters (outside the 3 mile limit) to a place or port in the state. - Troll
Authorizes the taking of salmon using specified gear in Washington state water. This license includes the Salmon Delivery Permit. (See WAC 220-354-300) - Willapa Bay-Columbia River gill net
Authorizes the taking of salmon using specified gear and only in the geographical area for which the license is issued. Incidentally caught food fish other than salmon may, in certain circumstances, be retained.
Herring licenses
- Dip bag net
Authorizes the taking or catching of herring using specified gear within Puget Sound. (See WAC 220-356-080) - Drag seine
Authorizes the taking or catching of herring using specified gear within Puget Sound. (See WAC 220-356-060) - Gill net
Authorizes the taking or catching of herring using specified gear within Puget Sound. (See WAC 220-356-100) - Lampara
Authorizes the taking or catching of herring using specified gear within Puget Sound. (See WAC 220-356-090) - Purse seine
Authorizes the taking or catching of herring using specified gear within Puget Sound. (See WAC 220-356-070)
Shellfish licenses
- Dungeness crab (coastal)
Authorizes the taking of Coastal crab using specified gear and only in designated Washington waters and offshore waters (outside the 3 mile limit). - Dungeness crab (Puget Sound)
Authorizes the taking of Dungeness crab using specified gear within Puget Sound. - Ocean pink shrimp delivery
Authorizes delivery of ocean pink shrimp taken in offshore waters (outside the 3 mile limit) to a port in Washington state. (See WAC 220-340-500) - Shrimp pot Puget Sound
Authorizes the taking of shrimp using specified gear within Puget Sound. (See WAC 220-340-520) - Shrimp trawl Puget Sound fishery
Authorizes the taking of shrimp using specified gear within Puget Sound. (See WAC 220-340-530)
Emerging commercial fishery licenses
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife expects to conduct an emerging commercial fishery season for beach seines, purse seines, and pound nets on the lower Columbia River in fall 2024. Applications for the fishery are limited to existing Columbia River commercial license holders. Application materials will be posted here when available. There will be no Columbia River emerging commercial fishery season in 2023.
- Coastal spot shrimp
See RCW 77.70.510 or call for more information.
Other limited licenses
- Coastal pilchard (sardine)
See WAC 220-356-040 or call for more information. - Sea cucumber dive
Authorizes the taking of sea cucumbers using specified gear in designated Washington waters. (See WAC 220-340-730) - Sea urchin dive
Authorizes the taking of sea urchins using specified gear in designated Washington waters. (See WAC 220-340-750)