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The Evergreen State offers a vast array of fisheries, from Puget Sound to rivers and lakes on both sides of the Cascades. Before heading out, make sure you have the appropriate recreational fishing license and be sure to take the following steps:
Keep up-to-date with saltwater and freshwater fishing regulations by using the Fish Rules App. Look for it in the App Store and Google Play for iOS and Android. Enable Location Services to see site-specific regulations for your location. Learn more.
Fishing regulations change depending on your location. Enable location services in Fish Rules App and the app will automatically show you regulations for your actual location. The app is also partnering with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that manage fisheries off Florida in federal waters.
Have amazing fish photos? Fish Rules is always looking for more photos to add to the app and will need freshwater shots as well. Share your amazing shots by emailing them to ph...@fishrulesapp.com. Preferred shots include the fish being held horizontally and taking up as much of the image as possible.
Despite this closure, fishing for steelhead in the basin is unaffected and remains open pursuant to subsections 7.40(b)(50)(E)(2) and (6). Additionally, fishing for brown trout on the Trinity River is unaffected and remains open pursuant to subsection 7.40(b)(50)(E)(6).
Sport fishing regulations for the American, Feather, Mokelumne and Sacramento rivers are adopted each year by the California Fish and Game Commission at their May meeting. As a result, digital publication of all supplemental regulations content is not completed until early summer around July 1. See the 2022-2023 Supplemental Regulations (PDF) (opens in new tab).
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and Fish Rules LLC have partnered to provide up-to-date recreational and commercial fishing regulations with FREE mobile Apps.
Fish Rules provides quick access to state and federal fishing regulations from Maine to Texas. Private recreational anglers and charter operators can download the Fish Rules App for updates on recreational fishing regulations for federally managed species in the Gulf of Mexico.
Fish Rules Commercial provides quick access to commercial fishing regulations for Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic commercial permit holders. The app, which is sorted by permit, hosts commercial regulations for species managed by the two Councils.
This annual booklet includes season dates, bag limits, hunt types, open areas, rules, regulations, drawing application details, and other requirements for the hunting of most big game, small game and other wildlife in Arizona.
In Wisconsin, there's always something to fish somewhere, 365 days a year. There are limited open seasons for certain species and waters. Before you try your fishing luck, check the season dates for your favorite species and favorite waters.
The Fisheries Management program has developed a regulations toolbox [PDF] of standardized regulation options for different fish species. The Toolbox helps maintain regulation consistency while providing diverse fishing opportunities and flexibility in managing fish populations.
Catfish and bullheads can be taken by bow, crossbow or by hand. The bow/crossbow season coincides with the rough fish spearing season in most cases. The hand fishing season runs from June 1 to Aug. 31. For more detailed information, see the latest regulation fact sheet [Download PDF].
We've made it easier to figure out what fishing regulations are on your favorite lake! Our searchable Guide to Wisconsin hook and line fishing regulations lets you search by inland lakes, by lake name or by county and includes an interactive map.
The Trout Regulations & Opportunities User Tool (TROUT) was designed to help trout anglers find places to fish. The TROUT application includes trout fishing regulations, classified trout waters, public land and DNR fishing easements.
Any person who takes or attempts to take fish, mussels, clams, crayfish or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas must have a current Texas fishing license with the appropriate endorsement. A saltwater endorsement is required to fish in coastal waters; a freshwater endorsement is required for inland waters. For details and exceptions, see license fees and packages.
Although it is legal to place an identification tag (use caution as tags can damage fish) on the exterior of a fish and release it back into public waters, it is unlawful to release a fish with a device or substance implanted or attached to produce an audible, visual, or electronic signal used to monitor, track, follow, or in any manner aid in locating it.
In order to verify length and species, a fish caught may not have the head or tail removed and may not be filleted until an angler finally lands the catch on the mainland, a peninsula, or barrier island not including jetties or piers and does not transport the catch by boat. For broadbill swordfish and king mackerel, the head or tail may be removed but the remainder of the carcass must remain intact and may not be filleted. For sharks, only the head may be removed. The remainder of the carcass (including the tail) must remain intact and may not be filleted.
Any fish taken from public water and landed by boat or person in Texas must adhere to the length limits and daily bag and possession limits established for those fish in Texas regardless of the state or country in which they were caught.
The bag limit for a guided fishing party is equal to the total number of persons in the boat licensed to fish or otherwise exempt from holding a license minus each fishing guide and fishing guide deckhand multiplied by the bag limit for each species harvested.
See the most recent DMF proclamation at www.ncmarinefisheries.net. In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03L .0302, it is unlawful to possess an egg bearing spiny lobster or a spiny lobster which eggs have been scrubbed or removed. It is unlawful to possess aboard a vessel or land detached spiny lobster tails, or to use a gaff hook, spear, or similar device to take spiny lobsters.
Creel limit for bluefish is set by proclamation. See the most recent DMF proclamation. The recreational creel limit for bluefish is 3 fish per person per day in all private (non for-hire) recreational fisheries. Recreational anglers engaged on a for-hire vessel can possess up to 5 bluefish per person per day.
Fishing Licenses
Requirements, types, privileges, and purchasing information on freshwater fishing licenses or enrolling in the recreational marine fishing registration (for migratory fish species only)
This regulation establishes fishing season dates, locations, legal methods, creel limits and limitations for all game fish species. This regulation also addresses the possession and use of bait fish, fishing contests and free fishing days.
Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need valid licenses. Residents under 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license. Any nonresident under 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a nonresident fishing license if accompanied by an individual possessing a valid fishing license. Each individual possessing a married couple license may possess their individual limits of fish.
Residency qualifications and a waiver of residency form are available here. Call 701-328-6300 for more information. North Dakota residents on leave while on active duty with the United States military can fish without a license. Contact the Department for details.
Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota, who are attending a state or tribal college, or a private institution of higher education, may qualify for purchasing resident fishing licenses. Contact the Department for details.
It is illegal to introduce anything into waters of the state for the purpose of attempting to attract fish (e.g. chumming, artificial light, acoustic equipment, etc.) that is not attached or applied to a lure as defined in Hook and Line Fishing - Specific Regulation Information. Decoys used while darkhouse spearfishing are excluded.
Stocking of any live fish, live fish eggs, live amphibians, or other live aquatic organisms into any waters of the state is illegal except with the appropriate license or permit issued by the Game and Fish director.
Gifted fish, including packages of fish, must be accompanied with the following information from the individual gifting the fish: name, fishing license number, phone number, date, species and number of fish gifted.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has issued advisories for the consumption of fish from certain North Dakota lakes and rivers. These fish contain levels of mercury which may be harmful to women of childbearing age and young children if they are eaten too often. Information listing current consumption advice is available from the Department of Environmental Quality website, Fish Consumption Advisory (pdf) or by calling 701-328-5150.
For the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers up to the first vehicular bridge or crossing on any of their tributaries: legal live baitfish are fathead minnows, creek chubs, sticklebacks and white suckers.
All legal live aquatic bait used by anglers, including legal baitfish, must have been purchased or trapped in North Dakota. No live aquatic bait may be imported into the state by anglers. This includes live baitfish and leeches.
Anglers may not transport water, including that used for bait (e.g., bait buckets, etc.), away from waters of the state designated as infested with Class 1: Prohibited Aquatic Nuisance Species (current list of lakes). All water must be drained from bait buckets as anglers leave the shore or remove their boat from the water. Anglers must properly dispose of unused bait away from the water they were fishing, as dumping bait in the water or on shore is illegal.
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