I was reading today about how money from the sale of personal license plates goes to the DFW. It gave me an idea, I sent it to the DFW commission, here it is: Several special interest groups have their own license plates, Washington Huskies, Washinton Cougars, Seattle mariners, Purple Heart winners, etc. I ask about the possibility of Washington license plates with either a Salmon or Steelhead or an Elk or Deer on them, with the proceeds going to help our recreational fisheries. I know myself, I would never buy a personalized plate, But I think it would be cool to have a hook nosed Silver on the truck plate. Any thoughts? Maybe its not even possible, just thought I'd throw it out there

I'm for it. Oregon has one now for salmon, and I read that Washington was considering it too, but have not seen anything on it for about 6-12 months

This sounds like a good place to start. Get off those e-mails and letters to our Reps and let them know we would be willing to pay for the special plates to support our fisheries. I think those Steelhead plates would look right nice on my Dakota SLT (Steelhead Limited Truck)!

Idaho has one for forest resources and another for wildlife. The wildlife one has a nice elk on it and it looks pretty sharp. I think they run about $40-$60 bucks but I'm not sure how the money is distributed. Seems like there shouldn't be any reason not to try something similar in Washington. Just as long as the money really goes to where it should and not into some sticky political fingers.

Sorry to say but the money would just go straight into the states general fund just like the "food fish" fee, the Puget Sound Enhancement, etc. It would only be used for it's intended purpose if the politicians allow for it in the WDFW budget in perpetuity. Which means at some point down the road you'll be paying extra for your tabs and the money will be lining some other agencies pockets that has nothing to do with fish.

State Senator Dino Rossi (R-Issaquah) submitted a bill this year to raise more $$ thru special license plates. He could give you the status, or why it didn't float.
The "vanity" plates we've had in Wash have had the extra money going to WDFW's Wildlife Fund, which, with sales of fishing/hunting licenses, covers about 1/3 of DFW's operating budget. Believe this is outside of the general fund, no??
See the wa.gov/wdfw/ site for 3 budget reports on the biennium just ending...
My Dakota's plates say "SCALY" and I sure hope my extra bucks are going to the fish!

Do you write a check to WDFW or the dept of licensing? All goes into the "fund" and is then parsed out according to approved budgetary needs or at least that's the way it was explained to me.