If you’re unable to access this application, check current outage notices or reach out for support.
Eligibility
You can apply for an angling guide licence if you:
- Are 19 years of age or older
- Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- Have no less than $2,000,000 public liability insurance that is applicable to your angling guide business, in effect during the period for which you will operate as an angling guide
- Must satisfy the Regional Fish and Wildlife Manager that you have a working knowledge of the Wildlife Act and Regulations. This is done through the successful completion of the Angling Guide Exam, which requires a minimum 80% passing grade
- Have or obtain a Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) in the Wildlife Information and Licensing Data (WILD) system, providing proof of identity documents
- See "Apply" section for licence renewal eligibility
Overview
An angling guide is a person licensed as such under the Wildlife Act to guide anglers in unclassified and/or classified waters.
Costs
| Cost type | Cost description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Licence fee | 1-year licence fee plus Habitat Conservation Trust Fund | $400 + $50 |
| Late and amendment fee | A late fee applies to new applications received after January 15 or renewal applications received after May 31. An amendment fee applies to any amendments submitted after January 15. This includes changes to the angling guide operating plan. Note: These fees cannot be paid online through Virtual FrontCounter. If you have not already paid, please contact FrontCounter BC to arrange payment. |
$50 |
| Classified angler day fees | Variable. See Angling and Scientific Collection Regulation. |
Variable, see Schedule C.1 |
Fees are payable at the time of application. Applications will not be processed until the fee has been paid.
Fees can be paid online at the time of application, or at a FrontCounter BC location. See payment guidelines for more information.
Angling guide quota rod day fees can no longer be paid for along with your licence renewal.
- Outstanding fees must be paid separately and in full before a new licence will be issued
- Note: These fees cannot be paid online through Virtual FrontCounter. If you have not already paid, please contact FrontCounter BC to arrange payment
Fees calculated on the electronic Fish and Wildlife application may not be the complete fee. A permit clerk will contact you if late fees are owed or if other licence specific fees are outstanding.
Apply
Review and collect the information and documents required before you start an application.
New licence applications
- Identify the region(s) you wish to guide
- Provide proof of a passing grade on the angling guide exam
- First time angling guide licence applicants require a passing grade on the Angling Guide Exam (PDF, 45KB). If you have not held an angling guide licence for more than 5 years a rewrite is required
- Completed angling guide operating plan (AGOP), which outlines your angling guide business, including the waters on which you propose to guide.
- AGOPs are only required to be completed every five years (from the last date the AGOP was signed off by regional manager) unless it changes from the previous year, then a new AGOP must be submitted. All AGOPs must be approved by the regional manager.
- A separate operating plan must be completed for classified and unclassified waters:
- If additional unclassified waters are required, an addendum must be completed:
Licence renewal applications
- Identify the region(s) you wish to guide
- Ensure reporting requirements for previous licence have been submitted. Angling guides must report all guiding activity by March 31 (or April 30 where there is guiding activity during March). Reports must be submitted online through the angling guide reporting web site
- Classified angler day fees must be paid
- Completed angling guide operating plan (AGOP), which outlines your angling guide business, including the waters on which you propose to guide.
- AGOPs are only required to be completed every five years (from the last date the AGOP was signed off by regional manager) unless it changes from the previous year, then a new AGOP must be submitted. All AGOPs must be approved by the regional manager.
- A separate operating plan must be completed for classified and unclassified waters:
- If additional unclassified waters are required, an addendum must be completed:
Potential Additional Requirements
- If commercial guided activities take place in a park, conservancy or protected area, a commercial recreation park use permit is required
- If an angling guide assistant is needed to help with guiding clients, an assistant angling guide licence application is required. An assistant angling guide is a person licensed as such under the Wildlife Act.
Register for BCeID to submit an application to FrontCounter BC
A BCeID allows you to save, reopen and check the status of your natural resource application:
- Basic BCeID can be used in a personal capacity
- Business BCeID is used when representing a legal entity
Submit an application
Once you have assembled the required information for your application, apply online.
If you’re unable to access this application, check current outage notices or reach out for support.
Update your application
After you have submitted an application, you can amend or cancel it:
- If you applied with a BCeID, log in to manage your application including updating or cancelling it
- If you applied without a BCeID, log in to update a submitted application or cancel an application
After you apply
Your application will go through the following process before any decision is made:
-
Receiving the application
Your application will be reviewed to ensure that it is complete. Your payment and documents will be entered into the appropriate systems. When necessary, you will be contacted for more information.
An application will not be processed until all required information and application fee have been received. -
Decision making
The target time frame for making a decision on your application is 30 days* after a complete application is received.
*Processing time may be considerably longer if there is a required consultation process.
A decision will be made on whether to issue a permit or not after a full review of your submission. -
Issuance of permit
If your application is approved, the permit is issued and sent to you by FrontCounter BC. If your application is not approved, you will be notified.
NOTE: If you used a BCeID and a licence or permit is issued, you can download it from the Manage your Natural Resource Applications webpage by logging in using your BCeID.
Application enquiries
Read more about application processing and how to check the status of your application.
Contact information
Find the FrontCounter BC office closest to you.
FrontCounter BC Toll Free
1-877-855-3222
1-877-855-3222