Open entry commercial licenses

These licenses are not limited by moratorium.

• Baitfish lampara (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of anchovy using specified gear in designated Washington waters. (See WAC 220-356-090)
• Baitfish purse seine (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of anchovy and smelt using specified gear in designated Washington waters. (See WAC 220-356-070)
• Carp (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of carp using specified gear in designated Washington waters. Requires a permit from the Inland Fish Division, call Fish Program for more information 360-902-2700. (See WAC 220-353-030)
• Columbia river smelt (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of smelt using specified gear within Columbia River and tributaries. (See WAC 220-358-060)
• Food fish drag seine (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of bottom fish using specified gear in coastal waters. (See WAC 220-355-050)
• Food fish set line (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of bottom fish using specified gear in coastal waters. (See WAC 220-355-070)
• Non-salmon charter (PDF)
  A nonsalmon charter license designating a vessel is required to operate a charter boat from which persons may, for a fee, fish for shellfish and fish other than salmon or albacore tuna. (See WAC 77.65.150)
• Non-salmon delivery (PDF)
  Authorizes delivery of food fish or shellfish other than ocean pink shrimp or Dungeness crab in offshore waters (beyond the 3 mile limit). (See WAC 77.65.210)
• Smelt gill net (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of smelt and anchovy using specified gear in coastal waters. (See WAC 220-356-100)

These licenses are not limited by moratorium.

Shellfish transfer permits are required for anyone planning to wet store shellfish prior to sale.

• Burrowing shrimp (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of ghost or mud shrimp using specified gear in designated Washington waters. Requires a permit from the WDFW director. (See WAC 220.340.020)
• Geoduck fishery or dive (PDF)
  Geoduck Dive authorizes the taking of geoducks using specified gear as outlined in a DNR harvest agreement. (See RCW 77.65.410, WAC 220.340.300 (Gear Restrictions) and WAC 220.340.330 (Time and Area Restrictions)). Geoduck Fishery authorizes persons holding current geoduck harvest agreements from DNR to take geoduck for commercial purposes from designated Washington waters. (See WAC 220.340.310)
• Oyster reserve (PDF)
  Authorizes a person to commercially take shellfish from Washington state oyster reserves. (See RCW 77.60.050 and WAC 220.340.020)
• Razor clam (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of razor clams for commercial purposes in the Detached Willapa Bay Spits only. (See WAC 220.340.120)
• Shellfish pots (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of crawfish using specified gear in designated Washington waters. Requires a permit from the WDFW director. (See WAC 220.340.700)
• Squid application (PDF)
  Authorizes the taking of squid using specified gear in designated Washington waters. (See WAC 220.340.770)

These licenses are not limited by moratorium.

• Hagfish (PDF)
  See WAC 220-360-200 or call for more information.
• Wild shellfish (wildstock clam, mussel, and oyster) (PDF)
  See WAC 220-360-140 or call for more information.

The Department of Health's Commercial Harvesting and Cultivating on Private Land (PDF) brochure describes other state and local licenses or permits you may need to commercially harvest or cultivate shellfish in Washington, and what you must do to meet Tribal treaty rights requirements.

These licenses are not limited by moratorium.  To learn more, see: Saving Account Assignments, Surety Bonds, and Cash Deposits for Commercial Wholesale Fish Buyers and Limited Fish Sellers. (PDF)

Shellfish transfer permits are required for anyone planning to wet storage shellfish prior to sale.

• Fish dealer license (PDF)
  A business engaging in commercial dealing of food fish or shellfish within Washington state.
• Wholesale fish buyer endorsement (PDF)
  Authorizes the buying and selling of food fish and shellfish at wholesale as a representative of a fish dealer.
• Limited fish seller endorsement (PDF)
  Allows the fisherman to land and sell their catch or harvest in Washington state to anyone within or outside the state. Must have a food fish or shellfish license to be eligible for this endorsement.
• Performance Bond (PDF)
• Savings Account Assignment (PDF)

• Game farm license (PDF)
  Required for persons who possess, propagate, sell, or transfer wildlife (mainly upland gamebirds and waterfowl) as allowed by Washington State Law. Licensees are required to provide an annual report of activity, maintain veterinary-certified premises, and allow department inspection of facilities and records. Please contact the WDFW Wildlife Program at 360-902-2515 or wildthing@dfw.wa.gov for an application or additional information.

These licenses are not limited by moratorium.

• Food fish and/or game fish guide application (PDF)
  Authorizes the holder to offer or perform the services of a professional guide in the taking of salmon/game fish in most Washington waters. For more information see licensing requirements for charter boats and fishing guides.
• Food fish and/or game fish guide vessel designation (PDF)
  Only required when making a change (or adding) to a license that has already been issued.