Beginning July 8, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will no longer provide hunting and fishing licenses or other license products on waterproof, tear-resistant license paper and is encouraging the use of mobile licensing, according to a news release.
New mobile licensing features are now available through the agency’s new MyWDFW mobile application, which launched in December 2025, or the updated Fish Washington app.
Customers who prefer paper license products, including catch record cards, have the option to remain paper license holders, but their licenses will look different than in the past. After July 8, WDFW license dealers and WDFW offices can print customers’ license products on standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch copy paper. Paper license customers can also print their license products at home, the release stated.
Beginning April 1, anglers can begin using electronic catch record cards (eCRCs) available through the MyWDFW and Fish Washington mobile applications to record and report salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut catches. Electronic reporting for recreational Puget Sound Dungeness crab will be available beginning in summer 2026.
Anglers can use eCRCs with or without cell service or internet connectivity. The mobile app saves eCRC entries offline and automatically submits them when the device reconnects to the network. Refer to WDFW’s catch record card webpage at https://tinyurl.com/yc8r4df2 for more information.
The MyWDFW mobile application also offers electronic tagging (e-tagging) for big game and turkey, as well as migratory bird harvest reporting. Like with eCRCs, offline reports are saved and uploaded automatically when the hunter re-enters an area with connectivity. The MyWDFW mobile app webpage includes written instructions for using the app’s e-tagging and harvest reporting features, and an instructional video about e-tagging.
To enroll as a mobile license holder:
• Log in to fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
• Verify WILD licensing account.
• Select “Mobile License Holder” for the 2026-2027 license year. Residents selecting this option will use mobile licenses only for the 2026-2027 license year.
• Download the MyWDFW app from the Google Play or Apple app stores.
• Log in to the MyWDFW app using WILD username and password.
App users who opt to become a mobile license customer will have valid mobile license products beginning at the start of the new license year on April 1.
For more information about the MyWDFW mobile app, including frequently asked questions and how-to videos, visit WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/apps/mywdfw. WDFW is available for app support at 360-902-2464, Option 1.
For more information on the MyWDFW mobile application or the updated Fish Washington® app, visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/apps/mywdfw.
