Commercial Licensing

Welcome to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) commercial licensing website. The Department is committed to providing sustainable commercial fishing opportunities.

Here you'll find information on requirements and license fees for commercial fishing and shellfishing, guiding and charter operations and fish buying, as well as specialty licenses for game farming, taxidermy, trapping, fur dealing and other fish and wildlife-related activities. Other business licenses may also be required from state and local governments.

For additional information about business license requirements in Washington, please contact the WDFW Licensing Division at 360-902-2464 or via e-mail at commercialsales@dfw.wa.gov

• Commercial License Types and Fees
   
• Commercial Fishing Regulations and other Information

Open Entry Commercial Licenses
These licenses are not limited by moratorium.

• Food Fish Gear Licenses
• Shellfish Licenses
• Emerging Commercial Fishery Licenses
• Wholesale Licenses
• Specialized Licenses
• Guide Licenses

Limited Entry Fisheries
These licenses are limited by moratorium. An existing license may be transferred to another owner, but no new licenses may be issued.

• Salmon Licenses
• Herring Licenses
• Shellfish Licenses
• Emerging Commercial Fishery Licenses
• Other Limited Licenses

Miscellaneous

• Alternate Operator
• Aquatic Farm Registration
• Replacement License Cards
• Request for Public Records
• Transfers
• Vessel and/or Operator Change
• Vessel Use in Geoduck Harvesting

Land Use Permits and Regulations

• Hydraulic Project Approval
  This permit may be required if you are doing work near a body of water or waterway (i.e. lakes, streams, rivers, etc...)
   
• Mineral Prospecting and Placer Mining Regulations