Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

State Wildlife Managementwdfw.wa.gov

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is a Washington State government agency that manages fish and wildlife conservation, hunting and fishing licensing, and habitat protection across 33 wildlife areas, serving recreational hunters, anglers, commercial fishers, and conservation partners.

Company typePublic
Founded1890
HeadquartersOlympia, United States
Headcount501–1,000
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife does

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is a Washington State government agency headquartered in Olympia, responsible for preserving, protecting, and perpetuating the state's fish, wildlife, and ecosystems. Founded in 1890 as the Washington State Fish Commission and reorganized into its current form in 1980, the agency manages nearly a million acres across 33 wildlife areas and hundreds of water access sites, operates hatchery programs producing over 7 million salmon annually, and enforces hunting and fishing regulations. Its primary constituents are recreational hunters and anglers, with secondary segments including commercial fishers, conservation partners (tribes, nonprofits, federal agencies), and Washington residents requiring accessibility or language services.

The agency's core technology products are the WILD (Washington Interactive Licensing Database) web platform for online license sales, and two mobile applications — MyWDFW and Fish Washington — launching in 2026 to deliver digital licenses, catch reporting (electronic catch record cards), and recreational information. Internally it operates FishBooks and CAPS Financial systems; no public-facing API, SDK, or developer portal is documented. WDFW also runs structured conservation programs such as the Priority Habitats and Species program, the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (founded 2021), and public education campaigns such as 'Love Cats, Love Wildlife.'

WDFW is funded primarily through state appropriations, license and pass revenue (hunting, fishing, Discover Pass), federal grants, and partner allocations. Recent strategic priorities include digitizing licensing through mobile apps, securing federal infrastructure funding (notably $265M+ from NOAA for habitat restoration), and partnering with 70+ conservation organizations, tribal governments, and federal agencies. The agency faces a near-term $2.4 million annual funding gap from BPA's withdrawal of hatchery program support effective September 30, 2026, and an active federal civil rights lawsuit against its leadership.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Legal name: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Website: https://wdfw.wa.gov
Company type: Public
Founded year: 1890
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 501–1,000 employees
Short description: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is a Washington State government agency that manages fish and wildlife conservation, hunting and fishing licensing, and habitat protection across 33 wildlife areas, serving recreational hunters, anglers, commercial fishers, and conservation partners.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife industry classification

Industry

Product category: State Wildlife Management
NAICS: Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Fishing, Hunting and Trapping (114)
SIC: Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)
akta.pro primary industry: Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)
akta.pro secondary industries: Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Animal Welfare Regulation & Enforcement (HLAMAJAG)

Keywords

Wildlife management services
Fish hatchery operations
Recreational licensing services
Habitat conservation
Wildlife law enforcement

Where Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Olympia
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Markets served

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

Hunting and Fishing Licenses: WDFW issues hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and endorsements through the WILD licensing system. The agency also offers the Discover Pass for vehicle access to WDFW-managed lands.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Hunting and fishing licenses with various endorsements and permits

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is a state government agency that preserves, protects, and perpetuates Washington's fish, wildlife, and ecosystems. It manages 33 wildlife areas spanning nearly one million acres, operates species recovery and habitat conservation programs (including the Priority Habitats and Species Program), enforces fish and wildlife laws, and issues recreational hunting and fishing licenses through the WILD Licensing System and supporting mobile apps.

Product overview

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offers a portfolio of technology-enabled licensing products and conservation programs. The core technology products are the MyWDFW App and Fish Washington App (companion mobile applications for hunting and fishing license management) and the WILD (Washington Interactive Licensing Database) web platform for online license purchases. These are complemented by print-from-home capabilities for paper license holders. Beyond technology products, WDFW operates major conservation programs including the Priority Habitats and Species Program for habitat protection and species management, the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI) for Eastern Washington habitat restoration, and public education campaigns such as Love Cats, Love Wildlife.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

MyWDFW: Mobile licensing application for hunting and fishing licenses launched in 2026
Fish Washington
WDFW Enforcement
Fish and Wildlife Commission

Products and services

MyWDFW Mobile App Official mobile application providing Washington hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists with on-the-go access to licensing, regulations, and fish and wildlife information.
Fish Washington App Mobile application supporting Washington anglers with fishing regulations, location information, and licensing access.
WILD Licensing System Online and point-of-sale licensing platform used to issue hunting, fishing, and recreational licenses to the public and authorized license vendors across Washington State.
Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI) A landscape-scale habitat restoration initiative focused on recovering and connecting shrubsteppe habitat in eastern Washington to benefit sagebrush-dependent wildlife species.
Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) Program A statewide program that identifies and tracks priority fish and wildlife habitats and species to inform conservation decisions, land-use planning, and species recovery efforts.
Wildlife Area Management Operational management of 33 WDFW wildlife areas covering nearly one million acres, providing public access for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and habitat stewardship.
Fish Hatchery Operations State-managed fish hatchery program that raises and releases fish to support recreational fisheries and the recovery of threatened and endangered salmonid populations.

Quantifiable outcome

Over 7 million salmon produced annually through hatchery programs
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Customer profile

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Washington State University (WSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides intensive treatment for injured wildlife, including bald eagle chicks rescued from power infrastructure. WDFW coordinates with WSU on wildlife rehabilitation cases.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency coordinating with WDFW on wildlife rescue operations and species recovery efforts. Involved in bald eagle rescue and gray whale necropsy research.
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal power marketing agency that funds wildlife infrastructure. However, announced termination of funding for Select Area Fisheries Enhancement Program effective September 30, 2026.
Washington Shrub Steppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative founded in 2021 allocates $1.4 million to conservation groups and Eastern Washington tribes for shrubsteppe habitat restoration and wildlife-friendly fencing.
Conservation NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partnered with WDFW on shrubsteppe protection, prairie restoration, and the 'This Land is Part of Us' film production.
Center for Natural Lands ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner in prairie restoration efforts, hosts South Sound Prairies website, and works on Taylor's checkerspot butterfly conservation.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary installation home to largest remaining prairie habitat in the region. WDFW partners on prairie/oak restoration and endangered species studies including Taylor's checkerspot and Mazama pocket gopher.
Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis ReservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner in prairie restoration at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area and traditional food gathering grounds.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in prairie and oak restoration projects, species recovery programs, and conservation funding through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
Washington State Department of Natural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner on Discover Pass access to recreation lands and prairie preservation at Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve.
Washington State ParksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner on the Discover Pass program providing combined access to WDFW, State Parks, and DNR lands.
The Nature Conservancy in WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner in pygmy rabbit recovery at Beezley Hills Preserve, Moses Coulee, and shrubsteppe conservation.
Oregon ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoological institution partner in pygmy rabbit captive breeding and reintroduction program.
Northwest TrekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife park partner in pygmy rabbit recovery efforts.
The Evergreen State College (Sustainability in Prisons Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege partnered with WDFW on Sustainability in Prisons Project breeding Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and rehabilitating Western pond turtles.
Cascadia Research CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organization that tracked and conducted necropsy on gray whale 'Willapa Willy', providing scientific expertise on marine mammal mortality events.
PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal welfare organization partner in the 'Love Cats, Love Wildlife' campaign to protect biodiversity by keeping cats indoors.
Birds Connect SeattlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBird conservation organization partner in the 'Love Cats, Love Wildlife' campaign to protect birds from outdoor cat predation.
Capitol Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand trust partner in prairie conservation and habitat restoration at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.
Arid Lands InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership of public and private entities in Eastern Washington working on shrubsteppe management, conservation, and restoration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

California Department of Fish and Wildlife: California's equivalent state fish and wildlife agency operating hunting/fishing licensing, wildlife areas, and species recovery programs. Shares WDFW's regulatory model and conservation mandate, with comparable scope and licensing revenue streams.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Alaska's state agency responsible for fish and wildlife management with similar licensing, hatchery, and habitat programs. Operates on a comparable scale with shared responsibilities for commercial fisheries, big game, and marine mammal management.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game: Idaho's analogous state wildlife agency managing hunting, fishing, and habitat programs across public lands. Directly comparable in mandate, scale, and regulatory authority to WDFW, with overlapping Columbia Basin species recovery responsibilities.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department: Wyoming's state fish and wildlife agency with shared responsibilities for big game management, license issuance, and habitat programs. Operates with the same statutory authority model as WDFW, including hunter/angler licensing and wildlife area stewardship.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Colorado's combined parks and wildlife agency managing hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Shares the licensing, habitat-conservation, and species-recovery mandate with WDFW, with similar state-government operating model.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Oregon's parallel state agency responsible for fish and wildlife management, licensing, hatcheries, and habitat conservation. Shares WDFW's mandate on Pacific salmon, big game, and water access areas, and collaborates on cross-border Columbia River fisheries.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks: Montana's combined fish, wildlife, and parks management agency handling hunting/fishing licensing and wildlife areas. Directly comparable to WDFW on wildlife-area management, license distribution, and habitat restoration for big game and salmonid species.

Broad incumbents

NOAA Fisheries: Federal agency administering marine fisheries and protected species law, including the $265M+ Transformational Habitat Restoration funding awarded to WDFW partner programs. Adjacent federal incumbent with overlapping jurisdiction on West Coast salmon and marine species.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Federal agency with national jurisdiction over wildlife conservation, endangered species, and habitat programs. Listed in WDFW's partnerships, and operates a broader portfolio that overlaps with WDFW's state-level mandate.

Others

The Nature Conservancy in Washington: Nonprofit land trust and conservation organization partnering with WDFW on pygmy rabbit and shrubsteppe conservation. Complementary rather than competitive, operating land preserves and working with WDFW under cooperative agreements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

What does Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife do?

Is Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife a public or private company?

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife founded?

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was founded in 1890. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.

Where is Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife based?

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is headquartered in Olympia, United States, in the North America region.

How does Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife make money?

One revenue line is on record: hunting and Fishing Licenses.

Who are Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Broad incumbents are NOAA Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Nature Conservancy in Washington is listed as an others.

Does Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have an API?

No public API is recorded for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

What industry is Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in?

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's product category is State Wildlife Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAMAG, Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAI, Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines). Its NAICS code is 92412 and its SIC code is 200.