Fishing and Clamming Gear

If you are out Fishing or Clamming, you'll need the right gear and the right paperwork. 

Fishing Gear

You'll want the right gear to stay safe, but more so that you have good chance of catching a fish!

Fishing Tackle Checklist

• Tackle box

• Fishing rods, reels, and line

• Appropriate live bait and cool storage

• Assorted lures, hooks, and flies

• Bobbers, snap swivels, and sinkers

• Nail clippers, pliers, and forceps

• Backup monofilament line and leaders

• Landing net and measuring device

• Fish identification booklet

• Stringer for keeping fish

• Fish-cleaning knife and cooking equipment

• Fishing regulations and license (if required)

• First-aid kit

• Proper shoes and spare socks

• Sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 15) and insect repellant

• For comfort, safety, and being prepared for the weather conditions, consider rain gear, a bandanna, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.

License

• Anglers 14 years and younger do not need a fishing license, though catch record cards are still required for certain species. See the regulations for additional information.

• Purchase a license and print it out and place it in a ziplock bag

  • Online Licensing System

    • Select "Recreational Login"

  • License Dealers 

  • WDFW Phone

    • 360-902-2464

  • NOTE that Federal and state law require everyone 15 and older to provide their social security number before purchasing a license, whether buying in person, online, or by phone.

Rules

• eregulations.com Washington State Sport Fishing Rules 

• eregulations.com Statewide Freshwater Regulations

Clamming Gear

Clam Gun

• You'll need a clam digging tool

  • Clam Shovel

  • Clam Gun

  • See wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/digging-razor-clams 

• Digging tools may be shared, but the digger must have their hand on tool when digging

Clam Net

• Each person harvesting will need their own net/container

License

• Everyone age 15 and older needs a license

• Purchase a license and print it out and place it in a ziplock bag

  • Online Licensing System

    • Select "Recreational Login"

  • License Dealers 

  • WDFW Phone

    • 360-902-2464

  • NOTE that Federal and state law require everyone 15 and older to provide their social security number before purchasing a license, whether buying in person, online, or by phone.

Rules

• WDFW Shellfishing Regulations 

• Razor Clams 

  • On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person

  • Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container

  • All diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste

  • All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach

• eregulations.com Sport Fishing Rules (shellfishing too)

• eregulations.com Razor Clam Rules

• eregulations.com Other Clams

Marine Toxins

• This isn't gear, but check before you go.

• Latest domoic acid levels 

• Washington Stare Department of Health Shellfish Safety Information 

Razor Clam Recipes Ingredients

• Look up your recipes, print them out and go get some ingredients

• https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/digging-razor-clams 

License types

Combination License

Allows you to fish in freshwater and saltwater, and harvest shellfish (including razor clams) and seaweed.

Freshwater License

Allows you to fish in freshwater areas only.

Saltwater License

Allows you to fish in saltwater areas only.

Shellfish/Seaweed License

Allows you to harvest razor clams, red rock crab, coastal Dungeness crab (but not Puget Sound Dungeness crab), goose barnacles, mussels, octopus, oysters, scallops, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, shrimp, softshell and hardshell clams, squid, and seaweed. No catch record card is required.

1-3 Day Combination License

These short-term licenses work just like a combination license and require the purchase of other endorsements where applicable. They are NOT valid for game fish for the eight-day period beginning the fourth Saturday in April, unless you are active-duty resident military personnel. These licenses must be used on consecutive days.

Razor Clam License

This license (available as an annual or three-day temporary license) allows you to harvest razor clams. You do not need this license if you already have a shellfish/seaweed or combination license. No catch record card is required.

Fish Washington License

This license represents a one-click option for an annual combination license with the Puget Sound Dungeness crab and two-pole endorsements included at reduced cost.