# Fish Washington — user reviews > 145 indexed App Store user reviews of Fish Washington by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, rated 4.30/5 from 6,959 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fish-washington/id1329839426/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fish-washington/id1329839426.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 4,823 · 4★ 943 · 3★ 431 · 2★ 192 · 1★ 570 ## What do users think of Fish Washington? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🗺️ Helpful map and boundary information - 📋 Detailed regulations and catch information - 🔍 Ability to search and view regulations for specific water bodies **Cons** - 🐢 Slow and unreliable update/sync process - 🔄 Constant need to re-download/re-install app to get it working - 🤯 Confusing and overwhelming regulations - 🚫 Inability to access app features when offline **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when trying to access map or view regulations - Search functionality not working as expected - Sync/update process frequently failing or taking too long **Most requested features** - Ability to purchase fishing licenses directly in the app - Inclusion of fish identification and stocking information - Easier navigation and filtering of regulations - Offline mode to view regulations without internet connection - Integration of emergency regulation updates without full sync ## Newest reviews (20 of 145) ### 4/5 — Wish it pulled more data from the WA fish and wildlife website *2026-08-28, version 3.3.0* This app is good and communicating the regulations at every body of water. However, I wish it displayed information about which fish you may find and their stocking history, which exists on the WA fish and wildlife website. ### 2/5 — App stuck in pamphlet mode *2026-08-11, version 3.1.0* Adding as a review since the link for developer support is broken…. With one of the latest releases the pamphlet mode toggle does nothing, which results in regulations showing for all dates and the previous pattern of knowing the regs “right now” is no longer. Washington has very complex regulations, this risks our sensitive fish populations and it’s no longer easy to see “is it open”? Ideally you can fix the app so it shows today’s regs and you bring back the calendar selector so you can plan for a future trip. ### 1/5 — Fish Washington won’t display map on my iphone 8 *2026-04-13, version 3.0.2* Won’t display map on my iphone 8 ### 1/5 — Can’t Update *2026-04-04, version 3.0.2* I used to be able to use the app without any issues but over the last year I haven’t been able to update the app. It will start to download the updates as soon as the app opens but then it freezes and doesn’t work. App is unusable for me currently. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t Work *2026-02-21, version 3.0.2* This app is terrible as it doesn’t load at all, a complete waste of space! ### 1/5 — Used to work fine, now it won’t even open *2026-02-15, version 3.0.2* ios user, doesn’t even open. “Bug fixes”? What bug fixes? It used to work fine but now it crashes before I can even open it. ### 4/5 — Needs more work *2026-02-11, version 3.0.2* I like it now allows a mobile license instead of paper….But the menu needs work, there isn’t a simple and clear menu item that says “Display License” instead its buried under the “Electronic Catch Record” menu item. That menu item makes no sense for those who fish freshwater. I’m not recording salmon. The whole change was to be able to shoe your license info on your phone. Make a obvious menu item. ### 1/5 — Rarely works *2026-02-06, version 3.0.2* I use it on my iPhone and it rarely loads. So disappointed because when it does work it’s not a bad tool. Hopefully with the license fee raping we’re getting in 2026 it will get some needed attention. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work sometimes *2025-09-27, version 2.0.8* The app is not reliable as some updates prevent the app from working. The developer of this apps does not do a good job of double checking their coding. After updates the app frequently crashes ### 1/5 — App crashes on launch *2025-09-18, version 2.0.8* Fresh download and install. App repeatedly crashes right after launch. Tried reinstalling. Just doesn’t work on iOS 16! ### 1/5 — Never works! *2025-09-05, version 2.0.8* Takes 2-5 minutes to “download regs” every time you open it. Always crashes. Have to delete the app and redownload. If this was supposed to be our source of information and it never works, how are you supposed to properly follow the rules and regulations? ### 2/5 — Hardly works and difficult to navigate *2025-09-01, version 2.0.8* When the app opens, and stays open long enough to load things, and after you go to the wrong place about 20 times before you find what you’re looking for, it works great. Otherwise, it is very hard to navigate and crashes constantly. ### 2/5 — Crashes *2025-08-31, version 2.0.8* Sometimes it works, sometimes it crashes. It’s like a box of chocolates. ### 1/5 — Wont update, wont work offline *2025-08-27, version 2.0.8* This app will give bad data and or is stuck in an update cycle. I would think a fishing app would be stable offline, and online for that matter. ### 1/5 — App is broken while trying to merge the database *2025-07-23, version 2.0.8* App is broken while trying to merge the database. Please fix it. I don’t want to down load again and again. ### 1/5 — Bugs need fixing *2025-07-23, version 2.0.8* This app needs to be debugged. It crashes then gets stuck in a boot loop, and per usually the app dev is asleep behind the wheel. ### 1/5 — App keeps crashing while merging database *2025-07-20, version 2.0.8* The app keeps crashing when merging database, I have to delete and reinstall to fix it. Get it together Washington, FL has a better app and you guys are bad at this. ### 1/5 — Crash *2025-07-09, version 2.0.8* App crashes. Unable to open ### 2/5 — Frustrating *2025-07-03, version 2.0.8* Every time I open the app and an update occurs the app crashes. So essentially I have to delete and reinstall the app every time I use it. NOT GOOD ### 1/5 — Database updates brick the app *2025-06-22, version 2.0.8* This app is essentially unusable if it ever encounters an error during a database update. When this happens, the app crashes and will continue to crash until you delete and reinstall it. Shame. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — idiots *2026-08-22, version 3.2.0* where are the rules for fishing salmon in area 9 ### 1/5 — Map issues *2026-08-18, version 3.1.0* You can only use offline maps. It says online maps are too slow and won’t show the detailed maps. App is slow. App has issues with licensing. ### 1/5 — App sucks, won’t change modes and error sending issues. *2026-08-15, version 3.1.0* App won’t let you change map modes, won’t let you send issues to report. Worthless app. ### 1/5 — Maps *2026-08-07, version 3.1.0* I love how you can only view the offline map. I’ve tried to connect the other options and continues to say online map is slow. ### 1/5 — Bad review just cuz I think WDFW are a bunch of crooks. *2026-07-17, version 3.0.2* Crooks ### 1/5 — Won’t open *2026-06-07, version 3.0.2* App won’t open today. Has crashed 3 dozen times on me. Hope I don’t run into enforcement today!!! ### 1/5 — Unreliable *2026-05-23, version 3.0.2* This app is super unreliable and gives out poor information about open and closed waters. Went fishing somewhere where, according to the app, it said it was open and available to fishing. Some nice people came up to me and informed me that it was actually closed. I went to a local fly shop to confirm and I showed them the app and they just laughed and said that this app often provides the wrong information. I thought this would be a nice app to have but now I’m worried that the information it gives me will be incorrect. ### 1/5 — Annoyed *2026-05-22, version 3.0.2* This state blows, buys baby carrots just to suck on them. Eats snickers upside down to feel the vainy part on their tongue. Dumb to have to do everything electronically ### 1/5 — I’d give it a zero star it let me what a nightmare *2026-05-20, version 3.0.2* Complete garbage this is the best they can offer us with all the money they take from us ### 1/5 — Impossible to login for catch reporting *2026-04-23, version 3.0.2* When I try to login to my account by entering a correct username, password, and OTP code, the following error is displayed: “An unknown error has occurred, Please try again later” ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Now updating *2024-06-08, version 2.0.2* Updated app now syncing. So glad I can use this again This was very helpful to stay up to date with constantly changing regs but it no longer updates ### 5/5 — Great now *2024-05-05, version 2.0.1* They did an update now the app loads fast and is easer to use ### 5/5 — New updated version is a solid 10/10 *2024-04-23, version 2.0.1* Way better then the app used to be, thank all that is holy it’s no longer like a government website ### 5/5 — Crashes when opening *2024-04-12, version 2.0.0* No idea if app works ### 5/5 — Boundaries *2023-11-25, version 1.0.58* I love that I can highlight boundary lines to find out what regs are for what area especially on the Columbia River. ### 5/5 — Quality Wildlife APP *2023-08-27, version 1.0.58* I have used a lot of different state regulations. Washington’s is by far in the front of line of being easy to use and clear on regulations. Highly recommended. ### 5/5 — I wish I had this in Alaska and Oregon *2023-03-20* I don’t typically write reviews but this app is just too awesome! So much easier and convenient than flipping through the regs book (although I keep one handy just in case). Everything I need to make sure I am within the regs on every fishing/crabbing trip! One thing I have had trouble with is the shellfish beaches. I don’t know if it is user error or a bug in the app but it won’t open for some reason. Other than that, this app is absolute gold! Thank you sooooo much! ### 5/5 — New update = Map issues *2021-05-19, version 1.0.52* I recently updated this app and now can no longer access the map. Please fix. Other than this incident, I’ve loved the app. UPDATE: My issue has been corrected with the most recent iOS update. Revising my rating back to a 5. Thanks to the developers for reaching out to me. **Developer response:** Hello. If you are having trouble accessing the map, we would like to gather some more information to help troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Please send us an email mobileappdev@dfw.wa.gov or send us a feedback message with your contact information from the Provide Feedback feature in the app (left navigation menu). We will reach out directly to schedule a call to troubleshoot further and resolve the issue. Respectfully, Jake Shapley, Application Developer, 360-972-5081 ### 5/5 — A must have app! *2021-04-29, version 1.0.51* One of the most important traits a fisherman must possess to be successful is confidence. Having current, accurate information at your fingertips is by far the best start to a good day on the water. I start every trip with Fish Washington, it is a must have for all who fish the waters of the Evergreen State. ### 5/5 — This app is great *2021-02-22, version 1.0.51* So I’ve recently gotten into fishing and my dad told about this app and it tells you want you able to catch how many sizes and if the places are closed and much more like fishing rules and so on I’ve found this app to be really great. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*