Online reporting is not available for fish catch reports; those cards must be mailed in.
The catch record card is an important management tool for estimating the recreational catch of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and Puget Sound Dungeness crab.
The law requires that a catch record card must be in your possession when you are fishing for these species. After you catch a fish or crab, you are required to enter that catch on your catch record card before continuing to fish. All anglers are required to return their cards by the appropriate deadline, even if you did not catch anything (WAC 220-310-020 and WAC 220-310-010).
A separate catch record card is issued with the purchase of a Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement.
Frequently asked questions
How do I fill out my catch record card?
See these complete instructions and a full list of catch area codes (PDF).
When are the catch record cards due?
- Fish catch cards are due by April 30, following the end of the license year.
- Summer crab cards are due by Oct. 1 following the end of the summer season.
- Winter crab cards are due by Feb. 1, following the end of the winter season.
Where do I return my catch record card?
Please mail your cards to:
WDFW CRC Unit
PO Box 43142
Olympia, WA 98504-3142
Can I report my catch data online?
- Crab catch reports can be entered using WDFW's online licensing system.
- The reporting site is open from the end of the crab season through the reporting deadline.
- At this time online reporting is not available for fish catch reports; those cards must be mailed in.
Why must I return my catch record card if I didn’t catch anything?
The post-season sport harvest estimates are based on the average number of fish or crab per card. Cards with zero catch are included in the average; otherwise the numbers would be inflated.
I lost my catch record card! What do I do?
Visit the lost catch record card page for instructions.