Fishing without a License in washington.?

I thought I have a fishing license but it turned out to be expired for a couple months. That is one reason why the police officer keep asking me about do I have my license and I said yes. He checked and said I have never have a fish license which turned out they are going to put handcuffs on me and going to take me to the police station. At last I have gave my Social Security Number to the polcie officer and they are able to find my lisence which has expired. They have fine me for $250. I want to know is that the fine for just fishing without a license or with what i found out that giving false info for fishing without a license.

I am really confuse and stress out. I have no idea my license is out of date because I purchase it in Dec 2007 and which I thought it is last for a year and it turned out their expire date for every fishers are Mar 31,2008.

Please Help if You Can. Thanks A lot for your help and which I will be more happy to see what can I do for paying less fine.
thanks