March 28, 2025
Washington’s anglers and hunters are facing yet another hike in license fees, and this time it’s a big one. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is pushing for a 38% increase in 2025, a stark contrast to the modest adjustments of the past. But what’s driving these rising costs, and are the benefits keeping pace? Let’s dive into the journey from a 2018 proposal through the 2019 increase to today’s bold new plan, unpacking how fees and promises have evolved over time.
The 2018 Vision: Setting the Stage
Back in 2018, WDFW laid out an ambitious plan to boost revenue and enhance opportunities for hunters and anglers. The agency, which depends on license sales for about 30% of its budget via the State Wildlife Account—supplemented by federal excise taxes—faced rising costs after years of static fees since 2011. The proposed bill aimed to bridge funding gaps with modest increases averaging 10–13%. A freshwater fishing license would jump from $29.50 to $33.63, a turkey hunter’s small game package from $56.40 to $64.49, and the “Big Four” hunting combo (deer, elk, bear, cougar plus small game) from $117.50 to $132.50.
The payoff? For hunters, it promised more access to private forest lands in western Washington, a new mobile app, a $20 discount for new hunter education graduates, and easier mentoring for youth. Anglers were slated to get boosted salmon hatchery production across Puget Sound, the Columbia River, and the coast, plus a catch-and-release steelhead fishery on the Skagit River. Other perks included a better Fish Washington app, temporary licenses for the lowland lake trout opener, and raising the youth fishing license age from under 15 to under 16. Though the bill didn’t fully pass, it planted seeds for what came next.
2019: A Modest Hike to Hold the Line
Fast forward to August 2018, when the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a 15% fee increase, effective 2019, to tackle a $31 million budget shortfall for the 2019–2021 biennium. The freshwater license hit $34.12, the combination fishing license rose to $63.65, and the big game package climbed to $109.80, with caps at $7 for fishing and $15 for hunting bundles. This generated $7–8 million annually, bolstered by General Fund support.
Did it deliver on 2018’s promises? Partially. The Fish Washington app launched in 2019, a win for anglers, and core programs like hatcheries, enforcement, and hunter education stayed afloat. But many specifics—like private land access, the $20 hunter discount, temporary licenses, and the youth age change—were deferred or dropped. The focus shifted to maintenance: avoiding cuts to habitat conservation and Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance while supporting a $9 billion annual economic boost from outdoor recreation (2018 data). It was a pragmatic step, but not the bold leap envisioned.
2020–2023: Stagnation Meets Inflation
After 2019, base fees froze. Transaction fees (10%) and dealer charges ($2 per license, $0.50 per tag) nibbled at costs, but inflation—rising ~20% cumulatively by 2023—eroded the 2019 gains. Programs stabilized earlier began to strain, setting the stage for a bigger ask.
2025: A Steeper Climb with Broader Aims
Enter SB 5583, introduced in January 2025 by Senators Marko Liias and June Robinson. Facing General Fund cuts and a ~25% inflation jump since 2019, WDFW proposes a 38% base fee increase starting July 1, 2025. A freshwater license would rise from $25 to $34.50, seniors (70+) from $5 to $6.90, and a deer tag from $39 to ~$53.80. Combination licenses could hit ~$87, and a new surcharge authority kicks in from 2027 to adjust for future inflation. As of March 28, 2025, it’s under review in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
The benefits? They’re ambitious and urgent. For hunters, existing access and education hold steady, with the mobile app needing updates and a revived $20 discount for new hunter grads echoing 2018. Anglers get sustained hatchery output (17 million salmon and steelhead annually), a now-open Skagit/Sauk steelhead fishery (February–April 2025), and planned Fish Washington app enhancements—though temporary licenses and the youth age shift remain elusive. Broader goals include orca recovery (73 individuals left), 17 threatened salmon stocks, and managing over 1 million acres of habitat. WDFW aims to raise $15–20 million annually, supporting $9.7 billion in fisheries-related sales and 62,200 jobs (2020 data).
Then vs. Now: Costs and Benefits Compared
–$14+ in 2025—a reflection of inflation and deferred action.
Benefit Evolution: 2018 dreamed big with targeted perks; 2019 played it safe with basics; 2025 blends revival (e.g., hunter discount, Skagit fishery) with expansive conservation amid ecological crises like orca decline and population growth (1 million more residents since 2015).
Scope and Urgency: Early efforts were proactive to sustain; 2025 is reactive, tackling budget deficits and a wilder, more pressured Washington.
Worth the Price?
Washington’s outdoor enthusiasts have fueled a $9 billion economy (2018) that’s grown to $9.7 billion (2020), but keeping fish and game thriving isn’t cheap. From 2018’s hopeful blueprint to 2025’s hefty hike, WDFW’s balancing act between affordability and ambition continues. SB 5583’s fate hangs in the balance—will it secure a future for salmon, orcas, and hunters’ haunts, or push costs too far? Anglers and hunters can weigh in with lawmakers as the debate unfolds. One thing’s clear: the price of a wild Washington is going up, and the stakes are higher than ever.