Loss of Privileges
An angler can lose his fishing privileges for as long as five years if convicted of such charges as harvesting fish that are on the endangered species list, assaulting an agent, employee or officer of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, or using a fishing license unlawfully.
Licenses
Anglers should become familiar with the type of fishing their license allows. For example, a combination license lets an individual fish freshwater and saltwater as well as harvest seaweed and shellfish.
Catch Record Card
Someone planning to fish for steelhead, halibut, sturgeon, salmon and the Puget Sound dungeness crab must possess, then fill out, a "catch record card."
Unlawful Activities
Activities such as using a crossbow to fish with, snagging fish, employing the use of explosives or poisons to obtain fish, leaving fishing gear unattended and spear fishing for certain species are unlawful.
Limits
Washington regulations impose strict possession limits and size limits on game fish species. For instance, an angler can keep only one tiger muskellunge per day, and the fish cannot be less than 50 inches long.
