Fishing and hunting in Washington will get significantly more expensive starting next month, and some believe that will drive many outdoor enthusiasts out of the state.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is set to raise the price of fishing and hunting licenses across the board by 38 percent starting July 1. It is the first such increase since 2011.

Governor Bob Ferguson signed the 2026-27 biennium budget, which included budget reductions for the WDFW. While the reductions were one factor that drove the decision to raise the fees, the increase will not fully offset the loss of money from the shrinking state budget.

With the increase, an annual resident combination fishing license will now cost $62.79. A big game hunting license would cost a resident $117.30. For non-r

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