Why are these things never clear?

[Norman89]

Hmmmm so according to the regs youth under age of 15 are not required to purchase a fishing license. In some areas depending on species a crc is required. BUT, a fishing license only covers fishing unless a combination license is purchased which would include shell fishing/seaweed.
What I'm getting at here is it seems very unclear if I wanted to take my 2 young sons out either crabbing or clamming, would they need a shellfishing license? I always buy the combination license for myself and the wife so I know we are both covered legally, but are the boys required to have a designated shellfish license to legally join us on the beach and take home a limit as well? I know the rules of they have to be able to join in with assistance from a adult just like fishing, I'm sure I could turn my seven year old loose with a potato rake to find some cockles, I think my five year old could find a oyster easy enough. Could they legally take them home as there own limit?

[BigGoonTuna]

as long as your kids are under 15, they're good to go, unless fishing for something that you need a punch card for (which i believe is free for the first one).

[Stein]

Kids get the combo license for free.  Get this if you are fishing for stuff that requires a punch card like salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut or Dungeness crab.

Not all of the punch cards are free.

If you are just fishing trout, bass, etc, no license necessary.  They can even dig clams or shrimp without a license since no punch card is required.

[Norman89]

So you have the equivalent of a combination license, meaning they can harvest there own limits of shellfish?

[Katmai Guy]

Was told by a game warden during an encounter, that youths 15 and younger do not have to purchase a fishing license but they have to possess a fishing license. He said you can get them for free but they are supposed to have one on their person. Not sure if he was telling the truth

[Jake Dogfish]

Under 15 don’t need anything for shellfish.

[Stein]

So you have the equivalent of a combination license, meaning they can harvest there own limits of shellfish?

Yes, they get their own limit of everything.  If you need a punch card for it, get one, if not, they are covered.

[Stein]

Was told by a game warden during an encounter, that youths 15 and younger do not have to purchase a fishing license but they have to possess a fishing license. He said you can get them for free but they are supposed to have one on their person. Not sure if he was telling the truth

He was misinformed.  Here is the WAC:

Age of purchaser.
(1) The age at the time of purchase determines the license necessary for the recreational activity.
(2) Youth hunters who turn sixteen years of age during the license year may use a previously purchased youth hunting license during the remainder of the license year, but are required to have a state migratory bird stamp affixed to the license on and after their sixteenth birthday, if they are hunting migratory birds.
(3) Youth fishers who turn fifteen years of age during the license year are required to purchase a youth fishing license.
(4) Youth fishers who turn sixteen years of age during the license year may use a previously purchased youth fishing license during the remainder of the license year.
(5) Resident seniors who turn seventy years of age during the license year may use a previously purchased saltwater or freshwater fishing license during the remainder of the license year.

[Norman89]