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.
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.