Title 77, FISH AND WILDLIFE

(1) By December 1, 2026, the department and the relevant stakeholders shall review the Columbia river salmon and steelhead endorsement program, prepare a brief summary of the activities conducted under the program, and provide this summary and a recommendation whether the program…

In coordination with the department of natural resources and lead entity groups, the department must establish a ranked inventory of fish passage barriers on land owned by small forestland owners based on the principle of fixing the worst first within a watershed consistent with …

Steelhead trout shall be managed solely as a recreational fishery for non-Indian fishers under the rule-setting authority of the fish and wildlife commission. Commercial non-Indian steelhead fisheries are not authorized. [ 2013 c 23 s 241; 1993 sp.s. c 2 s 78.] Notes: Effective d…

The director shall develop proposals to reinstate the natural salmon and steelhead trout fish runs in the Tilton and upper Cowlitz rivers in accordance with RCW 77.04.120(3). [ 2000 c 107 s 206; 1993 sp.s. c 2 s 65; 1985 c 208 s 2. Formerly RCW 77.04.100.] Notes: Effective date—1…

There is created within the department the eastern Washington pheasant enhancement program. The purpose of the program is to improve the harvest of pheasants by releasing pen-reared rooster pheasants on sites accessible for public hunting and by providing grants for habitat enhan…

The commission must establish special pheasant hunting opportunities for juvenile hunters in eastern Washington for the 1998 season and future seasons. [ 1997 c 422 s 3.] Notes: Findings—1997 c 422: See note following RCW 77.12.790.

Five percent of the revenue received from the sale of each small game hunting license fee shall be deposited in the eastern Washington pheasant enhancement account created in RCW 77.12.820. [ 2025 c 328 s 2; 1998 c 191 s 30; 1997 c 422 s 4.] Notes: Effective date—2025 c 328: See …

The eastern Washington pheasant enhancement account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts under RCW 77.12.810 must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account are subject to legislative appropriation and shall be used for the purpose of funding the…

The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 77.12.850 through 77.12.860 unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Salmon" means all species of the genus Oncorhynchus, except those classified as game fish in this title, and includes: Scientific Name Common Name …

(1) The Washington salmon stamp program is created in the department. The purpose of the program is the creation of a stamp that will portray a salmonid species native to Washington and will be used for stamps, prints, and posters that can be sold in a wide range of prices and ed…

(1) The Washington junior salmon stamp program is created in the department. The purpose of the program is the creation of a stamp that will portray a salmonid species native to Washington and will be used for stamps, prints, and posters that can be sold in a wide range of prices…

All receipts from the salmon stamp program created under RCW 77.12.850 through 77.12.860 must be deposited into the regional fisheries enhancement salmonid recovery account created under RCW 77.95.130. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes specified in R…

The department is granted the authority to establish by rule the method for selecting appropriate designs for the Washington salmon stamp program and Washington junior salmon stamp program. The stamp shall be designed and produced in accordance with department rules. [ 1999 c 342…

(1) As used in this section and RCW 77.12.870, "derelict fishing gear" includes lost or abandoned fishing nets, fishing lines, and other commercial and recreational fishing equipment. The term does not include lost or abandoned vessels or shellfish pots. (2) The department, in pa…

(1) The department, in partnership with the Northwest straits commission, the department of natural resources, and other interested parties, must create and ensure the maintenance of a database of known derelict fishing gear and shellfish pots, including the type of gear and its …

The department shall manage wildlife programs in a manner that provides for public opportunities to view wildlife and supports nature-based and wildlife viewing tourism without impairing the state's wildlife resources. [ 2003 c 153 s 3.] Notes: Findings—2003 c 153: See note follo…

Except for the personal information on reported depredations by wolves that is exempted from disclosure as provided in RCW 42.56.430, the department shall post on its internet website all reported predatory wildlife interactions, including reported human safety confrontations or …

The department shall cooperate, when appropriate, as a partner in the Washington conservation corps established in chapter 43.220 RCW. [ 2011 c 20 s 15.] Notes: Findings—Intent—2011 c 20: See note following RCW 43.220.020. Intent—Application—2011 c 20: See RCW 43.220.905.

(1) The commission may establish by rule a surcharge on all fees authorized under chapters 77.32, 77.65, and 77.70 RCW by November 1st of each odd-numbered year if the commission determines that the surcharge is necessary to fund compensation, central services, and other increase…

The legislature finds that merger of the departments of fisheries and wildlife resulted in two criminal codes applicable to fish and wildlife, and that it has become increasingly difficult to administer and enforce the two criminal codes. Furthermore, laws defining crimes involvi…

A person is not guilty of a crime under this chapter if the person is an officer, employee, or agent of the department lawfully acting in the course of his or her authorized duties. [ 1998 c 190 s 2.]

(1) If the commission or director has authority to adopt a rule that is punishable as a crime under this chapter, then the commission or director may provide that violation of the rule shall be punished with notice of infraction under RCW 7.84.030. Neither the commission nor the …

Except as provided in RCW 77.15.260(2)(b), where it is unlawful to hunt, take, fish, possess, or traffic in big game or protected or endangered fish or wildlife, then each individual animal unlawfully taken or possessed is a separate offense. [ 2012 c 176 s 6; 1999 c 258 s 1; 199…

District courts have jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts for misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors committed in violation of this chapter and may impose the punishment provided for these offenses. Superior courts have jurisdiction over felonies committed in violation of th…

(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, as used in this chapter, "conviction" means a final conviction in a state or municipal court. (2) A plea of guilty or a finding of guilt for a violation of this title or department rule constitutes a conviction regardless of whet…

Crimes defined by this chapter shall be punished as infractions, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or felonies, based on the classification of crimes set out in chapters 7.84 and 9A.20 RCW. [ 1998 c 190 s 7.]

If the prosecuting attorney of the county in which a violation of this title or rule of the department occurs fails to file an information against the alleged violator, the attorney general upon request of the commission may file an information in the superior court of the county…

(1) Fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers may seize without warrant boats, airplanes, vehicles, motorized implements, conveyances, gear, appliances, or other articles they have probable cause to believe have been held with intent to violate or used …

(1) Fish and wildlife officers shall have and exercise, throughout the state, such police powers and duties as are vested in sheriffs and peace officers generally. Fish and wildlife officers are general authority Washington peace officers. (2) An applicant for a fish and wildlife…

Washington fish and wildlife officers may engage in private law enforcement off-duty employment, in uniform or in plainclothes for private benefit, subject to guidelines adopted by the chief of fish and wildlife enforcement. These guidelines must ensure that the integrity and pro…

Based upon articulable facts that a person is engaged in fishing, harvesting, or hunting activities, fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers have the authority to temporarily stop the person and check for valid licenses, tags, permits, stamps, or catc…

Fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers may seize without a warrant wildlife, fish, shellfish, and covered animal species parts and products they have probable cause to believe have been taken, transported, or possessed in violation of this title or r…

On a showing of probable cause that there has been a violation of any fish, seaweed, shellfish, or wildlife law of the state of Washington, or upon a showing of probable cause to believe that evidence of such violation may be found at a place, a court shall issue a search warrant…

Fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers may arrest without warrant persons found violating the law or rules adopted pursuant to this title. [ 2000 c 107 s 213; 1998 c 190 s 114; 1987 c 506 s 19; 1980 c 78 s 20; 1971 ex.s. c 173 s 2; 1961 c 68 s 3; 195…

Fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers may make a reasonable search without warrant of a vessel, conveyances, vehicles, containers, packages, or other receptacles for fish, seaweed, shellfish, and wildlife which they have reason to believe contain ev…

(1) Fish and wildlife officers may inspect without warrant at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner: (a) The premises, containers, fishing equipment, fish, seaweed, shellfish, and wildlife of any commercial fisher or wholesale dealer or fish dealer; and (b) Records required…

(1) An authorized state, county, or municipal officer may be subject to civil liability under RCW 77.15.070 for willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties. (2) The director, the fish and wildlife commission, or the department may be subject to …

(1) Fish, shellfish, and wildlife are property of the state under RCW 77.04.012. Fish and wildlife officers may sell seized, commercially taken or possessed fish and shellfish to a wholesale buyer and deposit the proceeds into the fish and wildlife enforcement reward account unde…

(1) For purposes of this chapter, a person acts for commercial purposes if the person engages in conduct that relates to commerce in fish, seaweed, shellfish, or wildlife or any parts thereof. Commercial conduct may include taking, delivering, selling, buying, brokering, or tradi…

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful taking of endangered fish or wildlife in the second degree if: (a) The person hunts for, fishes for, possesses, maliciously harasses, or kills fish or wildlife, or possesses or intentionally destroys the nests or eggs of fish or wildlife; (b) Th…

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful taking of protected fish or wildlife if: (a) The person hunts for, fishes for, maliciously takes, harasses, or possesses fish or wildlife, or the person possesses or maliciously destroys the eggs or nests of fish or wildlife designated by the co…

(1) Except as authorized in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, it is unlawful for a person to sell, offer to sell, purchase, trade, barter for, or distribute any covered animal species part or product. (2) The prohibitions set forth in subsection (1) of this section do not …

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful use of poison or explosives if: (a) The person lays out, sets out, or uses a drug, poison, or other deleterious substance that kills, injures, harms, or endangers fish, shellfish, or wildlife, except if the person is using the substance in compl…

The following acts are infractions and may be cited and civil penalties imposed as provided under chapter 7.84 RCW, to include detentions for a reasonable period and investigations as provided in RCW 7.84.030. The civil provisions of this section are cumulative and nonexclusive a…

(1) A person is guilty of waste of fish and wildlife if the person: (a) Takes or possesses wildlife classified as food fish, game fish, shellfish, or game birds having a value of two hundred fifty dollars or more, or wildlife classified as big game; and (b) Recklessly allows such…

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful interference with fishing or hunting gear in the second degree if the person: (a) Removes or releases a wild animal from another person's trap without permission; (b) Springs, pulls up, damages, possesses, or destroys another person's trap witho…