Bowfishing in Washington State is a legitimate and growing pursuit, but it comes with a specific set of rules that every archer-angler needs to understand before launching a boat or wading into a river. Get the species wrong, use the wrong equipment, or fish in a restricted zone, and you could be facing a citation from a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officer.
This guide breaks down the bowfishing laws in Washington — covering legal species, license requirements, equipment rules, where you can fish, night fishing, and saltwater considerations — so you can focus on shooting fish, not worrying about compliance.
Is Bowfishing Legal in Washington
Bowfishing is legal in Washington State, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) regulates all aspects related to hunting and fishing within the state. However, the sport comes with meaningful restrictions that separate it from bowfishing in many other states.
Washington’s regulations define bow-and-arrow fishing as any method of taking, or attempting to take, fish by the use of an arrow equipped with a barbed head and a line attached, and propelled by a bow, as in the sport of archery, while the fisher is above the surface of the water. That definition matters because it determines what gear is legal and where the activity is permitted.
Washington allows you to bowfish for non-game and invasive fish species, but you cannot bowfish for game fish. That single rule is the foundation of the entire regulatory framework in the state. If you are not certain whether a species is a game fish, do not shoot — verify first.
Important Note: Washington’s regulations are updated annually. The current governing document is the Washington State Recreational Fishing Seasons and Regulations pamphlet, which is effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Always confirm the rules have not changed before your trip.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Washington
Bowfishing is legal for non-game fish such as carp, suckers, and pikeminnow, but NOT for game fish like bass, trout, or salmon. These are the core target species for most bowfishers operating in the state’s freshwater systems.
In freshwater bodies across Washington State, certain aquatic species are legal for bowfishing purposes, including common carp, northern pike minnow, suckerfish (such as white sucker or longnose sucker), and peamouth chub. It is essential to note that these species are subject to change based on updates from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The table below summarizes the key legal and prohibited species for bowfishing in Washington:
| Species | Status for Bowfishing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | Legal | No size limit, no daily limit |
| Northern Pikeminnow (Pikeminnow) | Legal | Considered a non-game rough fish |
| Suckers (White, Longnose) | Legal | Non-game species |
| Peamouth Chub | Legal | Non-game species |
| Largemouth / Smallmouth Bass | Prohibited | Game fish — rod and reel only |
| Trout / Steelhead | Prohibited | Game fish — strict regulations apply |
| Salmon | Prohibited | Game fish — heavily regulated |
| Grass Carp | Prohibited | Closed unless specified in Special Rules |
| Dolly Varden / Bull Trout | Prohibited | Closed in all freshwater areas |
| Lamprey | Prohibited | Unlawful to take, fish for, or possess |
It is important to note that targeting threatened or endangered species remains strictly prohibited. Washington has several sensitive native fish populations, and misidentifying a target species is not a valid defense if you are cited.
Pro Tip: Common carp are by far the most popular bowfishing target in Washington. They are abundant in warm, shallow lakes and slow-moving river backwaters — and they have no size limit or daily bag limit, making them ideal for high-volume shooting sessions.
Bowfishing License Requirements in Washington
To engage in bowfishing legally within Washington State boundaries, individuals are required to have a valid combination license or an appropriate fishing license issued by the WDFW. These licenses can be easily obtained online through their official website or from authorized vendors across the state.
Youth under 16 years old do not need a fishing license, however catch record cards are required for specific species and are included with a free youth license. Since bowfishing in Washington primarily targets non-game species that do not require a catch record card, younger bowfishers have an easier entry point into the sport.
As a result of state legislation passed in the 2025 session, hunting and fishing license fees increased July 1, 2025. The bill increases fees by 38% and includes a senior discount for hunting licenses and a senior and disabled veteran discount for license packages. Be sure to verify current pricing directly through WDFW, as the fee increase took effect at the start of the 2025–2026 license year.
Here is a quick breakdown of the license types relevant to bowfishers:
- Freshwater License — Required if you are bowfishing lakes, rivers, and ponds only
- Combination License — Allows you to fish in freshwater and saltwater, and harvest shellfish (including razor clams) and seaweed
- Fish Washington License — Includes an annual combination license covering freshwater, saltwater, shellfish harvest, and seaweed, along with two endorsements — Two-Pole and Puget Sound Dungeness Crab
New for 2026, mobile licensing is available through the agency’s new MyWDFW mobile application and the Fish Washington app. You can also visit WDFW’s online licensing system, contact them by phone at 360-902-2464, or visit one of the hundreds of license dealers around the state.
Key Insight: No separate bowfishing permit or archery endorsement is required in Washington. A standard fishing license covering the water type you plan to fish is all you need to legally bowfish for non-game species.
Understanding the broader landscape of wildlife laws in Washington can help you stay compliant across multiple outdoor activities, especially if you are hunting or trapping in addition to bowfishing.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Washington
Both recurve bows and compound bows are permitted for use in bowfishing under Washington’s regulations. However, it is important to note that crossbows are not considered legal equipment for this activity.
The WDFW has specific equipment regulations in place regarding bowfishing. These guidelines help ensure safety and promote ethical practices. Before you rig up your setup, make sure each component meets state standards.
Here is what the regulations address for bowfishing equipment:
- Bows: Any lawful archery equipment can be used for bowfishing purposes as long as it complies with all state regulations. It is advisable to use a compound or recurve bow specifically designed for this activity.
- Arrows: Must be equipped with a barbed head and a line attached, per the state’s official definition of bow-and-arrow fishing
- Crossbows: Not permitted for bowfishing in Washington
- Lights: Bowfishers may utilize artificial lighting devices such as spotlights during nighttime hours to improve visibility when targeting fish species.
Common Mistake: Some bowfishers assume that any archery equipment legal for hunting is automatically legal for bowfishing. In Washington, crossbows are excluded from bowfishing even though they may be used for certain hunting seasons. Always check the bow-and-arrow fishing definition in the WDFW regulations before using any non-standard equipment.
Beyond the bow itself, make sure your bowfishing reel, line, and arrow tips are designed for the purpose. A line-attached arrow with a fish point is required by the state’s definition of the method. Standard hunting broadheads are not appropriate for bowfishing and could create legal complications.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Washington
Washington has a wide range of fishable waters, but not all of them are open to bowfishing. Washington layers freshwater and saltwater rules differently; named lakes, rivers, and bays often have special regulations beyond statewide defaults; border waters and stocks shared with neighboring states or federal waters can add more rules.
In certain regions within Washington State, individual water bodies may impose additional restrictions on bowfishing activities due to conservation concerns or local ordinances. Before heading out, always check with the appropriate land management agency responsible for that particular water body’s rules and regulations to ensure compliance with any additional restrictions enforced there.
As a general guide, here is where bowfishing is typically permitted and restricted:
| Location Type | Bowfishing Status | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Public lakes and reservoirs | Generally permitted | Check for water-specific gear restrictions |
| Rivers and streams (public access) | Generally permitted | Verify seasonal rules for each water body |
| Private ponds | Permitted with landowner permission | Written permission recommended |
| National Parks | Prohibited | Federal rules override state regulations |
| Wildlife refuges / sanctuaries | Prohibited | Protected area restrictions apply |
| Tribal waters | Check tribal regulations | State rules may not apply |
| “Fly Fishing Only” waters | Prohibited | Gear-restricted designations exclude bows |
| “Selective Gear” waters | Prohibited | Only hook-and-line gear permitted |
Stay clear of protected areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and sanctuaries. These federal and state protections supersede general bowfishing permissions, and violations in these areas can carry significantly higher penalties.
You can look up water-specific rules through the eRegulations Washington portal or the WDFW fishing regulations page. Using the eRegulations tool before every trip is the most reliable way to confirm whether a specific water body allows bowfishing and whether any special rules apply.
If you spend time outdoors in Washington beyond just fishing, it is worth familiarizing yourself with related animal and pet laws in Washington that may affect how you interact with wildlife in and around the water.
Night Bowfishing Rules in Washington
Night fishing is legal statewide unless a specific water body prohibits it. This is good news for bowfishers, since low-light and nighttime conditions are often the most productive for targeting carp and suckers in shallow, warm water.
Washington does not impose a statewide ban on night bowfishing, but you still need to account for a few key rules:
- Lighting is allowed: Bowfishers may utilize artificial lighting devices such as spotlights during nighttime hours to improve visibility when targeting fish species. This covers submersible lights, bow-mounted lights, and boat-mounted flood lighting.
- Water-specific closures apply: Some lakes and rivers prohibit all night fishing or restrict access after certain hours. Always check the special rules for your target water body before planning a night trip.
- Species rules do not change at night: The same legal and prohibited species list applies around the clock. You cannot shoot game fish at night simply because visibility is lower.
- Boating safety rules apply: If you are bowfishing from a boat at night, Washington’s boating regulations require proper navigation lights. Operating an unlit vessel after dark is a separate violation from fishing rules.
Pro Tip: Shallow, weedy bays on eastern Washington lakes — such as parts of Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and the Columbia River backwaters — are productive night bowfishing spots for carp. These warm, fertile waters hold large populations of legal target species and are accessible by boat.
Washington’s night bowfishing scene is relatively open compared to many other states, making it an appealing destination for those who prefer targeting fish after dark. Just make sure you confirm the specific rules for each water body you plan to fish, as local restrictions can override the statewide default. You can explore more about how Washington handles wildlife-related laws and how the state balances access with conservation.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Washington
Saltwater bowfishing in Washington is a more restricted and less commonly practiced activity than freshwater bowfishing. The state’s marine waters are subject to their own regulatory framework, and the rules around bow-and-arrow fishing in saltwater are not as clearly defined as they are for freshwater.
Recreational fishing seasons and regulations in Washington’s waters for bottomfish and halibut include weekly updates, which reflects how actively managed and frequently changing the saltwater regulatory environment is. This complexity makes saltwater bowfishing more difficult to navigate.
Here is what you need to know about bowfishing in Washington’s marine and coastal waters:
- License requirement: A saltwater license allows you to fish in saltwater areas only. If you plan to bowfish in both freshwater and saltwater on the same trip, a combination license is the better option.
- Game fish protections apply in saltwater: Species like salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod are strictly regulated game fish in Washington marine waters. Bowfishing for these species is not permitted.
- Marine preserve restrictions: Washington has designated marine preserves and conservation areas where fishing methods — including bowfishing — may be restricted or entirely prohibited. Check the WDFW marine rules before accessing these areas.
- Bottomfish regulations: Bottomfish includes Pacific cod, Pacific tomcod, Pacific hake, walleye pollock, lingcod, ratfish, sablefish, cabezon, buffalo sculpin, great sculpin, red Irish lord, brown Irish lord, Pacific staghorn sculpin, wolf-eel, giant wry mouth, plainfin midshipman, North Pacific spiny dogfish, sixgill shark, tope shark, and all species of skate, dab, sole, flounder (except Pacific halibut), greenling, shark, rockfish, rattail, and surfperch (except shiner perch). These species are regulated under the saltwater framework and are not appropriate targets for bowfishing.
Important Note: Washington does not have a well-established framework specifically authorizing saltwater bowfishing for rough or non-game species in marine environments the way it does in freshwater. Before attempting saltwater bowfishing, contact WDFW directly at 360-902-2700 to confirm what is permitted in the specific marine area you plan to fish.
In practical terms, the vast majority of bowfishing activity in Washington takes place in freshwater. The Columbia River system, eastern Washington lakes, and Puget Sound lowland ponds offer far more productive and legally straightforward bowfishing opportunities than saltwater environments.
The WDFW website provides Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing resources for trip planning. Conservation officers enforce the official published regulations — not articles or forum posts. When in doubt about any saltwater bowfishing question, go directly to the source.
For anyone interested in the broader legal landscape of keeping and interacting with animals in Washington, resources like exotic pet laws in the United States and leash laws in Washington offer useful context on how the state approaches wildlife and animal regulation more broadly.
Bowfishing in Washington rewards anglers who take the time to understand the rules. Stick to legal non-game species, carry the right license, use approved equipment, and verify the rules for every water body you fish. Every angler should have the Fish Washington mobile app on their smartphone or other mobile device and check for emergency rule changes issued by WDFW before heading out. With those habits in place, you can enjoy one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique fishing experiences without any regulatory surprises.