B.C. Recreational Freshwater Fishing Licence

Information regarding the Dean River draw for 2024 can be found on the Dean River draw application information page.

The Dean River Draw has been conducted and all applicants notified.

At the time of posting (May 15, 2024), there are a few spots open. Go to the Dean River draw application information page for information including contacts to check availability.

Collection period:  May, 2024

Collection method:  Online Survey

Contact: BCRecFishingSurvey@gov.bc.ca

Description: The Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), are conducting a survey of freshwater recreational fishing in B.C. The survey will ask a random sample of individuals who purchased a B.C. freshwater fishing license in the 2023 – 2024 season to report on their fishing activity and expenditures throughout the year. The information provided by respondents will be used to assess the economic and social importance of recreational fisheries to British Columbia.

The 2023-24 Survey of Freshwater Recreational Fishing in BC, is the second iteration of this survey, following its inaugural run in spring 2023. Results from the 2022-23 survey are now available on DFO’s Website. In response to participant feedback collected during the pilot survey, substantial modifications have been implemented to enhance the survey’s user experience and simplicity.

More information about this survey

Stay up to date on regulation changes and vehicle/access restrictions during wildfire season. While planning your fishing trip please see B.C. Wildfire Service Fire Bans and Restrictions for the most up to date information.

If you do not have an account, you can create one in the E-Licensing System

Log In to E-Licensing

NOTE: Scheduled maintenance may limit access to the E-Licensing service on Sunday mornings from 5:00 am to 9:00 am Pacific time (6 am to 10 am Mountain time)

• E-Licence Tutorial (PDF, 1.5MB)

This resource provides addresses and contact telephone numbers for authorized Licence Vendors

If you are 16 years or over:

• You must have a valid basic licence to sport fish for any species of fish in non-tidal waters (including salmon)
• You must purchase appropriate supplementary licences and stamps to fish for conservation species (see conservation surcharges and white sturgeon sections below) or on Classified Waters (see Classified Waters section below). These can be added to your basic licence at any time by accessing the e-Licence system and printing an updated licence, or by visiting Service BC or a Licence Vendor
• You must carry your licence and government issued photo identification while sport fishing and, if asked, produce them for inspection by a Conservation Officer, Fishery Officer, RCMP constable, Park Ranger in a park, or an Officer under the Wildlife Act
• Your basic non-tidal angling licence must be legible and can be provided in the following formats:
  • An unmodified paper copy printed on 8.5 by 11 paper
  • An unmodified electronic copy on your digital device (i.e. a photo on your phone, tablet, computer, etc.)
• When a conservation surcharge retention record is required, an unmodified paper copy printed on 8.5 by 11 paper is required to record your catch. Please review the conservation surcharges section below
• If you are an Indian (as defined by the Indian Act (Canada)) and a resident of B.C., you do not require a licence to fish in non-tidal waters in B.C.

If you are under 16 and a resident of B.C.

• You may sport fish without any licence or stamp, but you must abide by all regulations
• You do not need to be accompanied by a licence holder
• You are entitled to your own quota of fish

If you are under 16 and a non-resident of B.C.

• You do not require any licence or stamp to sport fish, but you must abide by all regulations and be accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older (resident or non-resident) who has the appropriate licences and stamps
• Any fish you keep must be counted as part of the catch and possession of your accompanying licence holder
• If you want to catch and keep your own quota of fish, you must buy a licence and any necessary supplementary licences and stamps

Prices subject to change. Tax not included.

Annual Angling Licence (valid April 1^st to March 31^st):

• Resident: $41.15
• Non-Resident: $62.87
• Non-Resident Alien: $91.44
• Annual Licence for Residents with Disabilities: $1.14
• Annual Licence for Residents 65 or Older: $5.71*

One Day Angling Licence**

• Resident: $11.43
• Non-Resident: $22.86
• Non-Resident Alien: $22.86

Eight Day Angling Licence**

• Resident: $22.86
• Non-Resident: $41.15
• Non-Resident Alien: $57.14

*As of the 2021/22 licence year, B.C. Resident Anglers aged 65 and over have the option to purchase an annual basic licence at the reduced rate of $5.50 or at the full B.C. Resident rate of $41.15.

**You may purchase as many One-Day and Eight Day Licences as you need, but only one Annual Licence.

All angling licence products (except Annual Licences for Residents with Disabilities) include a surtax for the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.

B.C. Resident means:

your primary residence is in British Columbia, AND

(a) you are a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant, AND
have been physically present in B.C. for the greater portion of each of 6 calendar months out of the immediately preceding 12 calendar months,

OR

(b) you are NOT a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant, but have been physically present in British Columbia for the greater portion of each of the immediately preceding 12 calendar months.

Non-Resident means:

you are not a “resident,” but (a) you are a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, OR (b) your primary residence is in Canada, AND you have resided in Canada for the immediately preceding 12 months.

Non-Resident Alien means:

you are neither a “resident” nor a “non-resident.”

Any British Columbia Resident who is severely and permanently disabled may apply for a Non-Tidal Angling Licence at the reduced fee of $1.14.

Note: Licences are not required for anglers under 16 years of age. Review "Licensing Requirements" for full details

The fee reduction is for the annual Non-Tidal Angling Licence ONLY. There is no fee reduction for Conservation Surcharge Stamps, the White Sturgeon Conservation Licence or the Classified Waters Licence.

Download the application form (PDF, 165 KB).

To qualify, you must submit documentation to confirm that you receive one of the benefits listed in Part B of the application. If this documentation cannot be provided, then Part C must be completed by a practising registered B.C. physician or nurse.

Completed applications should be sent by presented in person to any Service BC location, or alternatively, by mail* to:

Wildlife Branch
PO Box 9363 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C.  V8W 9M8

*Mailed in applications are generally processed within 10 days of their receipt.

Once you have been approved for the program, you can proceed with purchasing your licence online via the Freshwater Fishing E-Licensing system at any time.  If you prefer to to buy your licence in person from a licence vendor, you will be required to present your Annual Disabled Angling licence (from a previous licence year) or your Certificate of Eligibility at the time of purchase. 

If you believe you that you were previously approved for the program but your expired licence or Certificate of Eligibility has become lost, stolen or destroyed, you may confirm your eligibility by contacting FrontCounter BC.

Note: no refunds will be made on licences purchased at the full price.

100% of your licence fees directly benefit recreational fisheries.

Licence revenue goes to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and helps:

• Fund research
• Conservation and education programs
• Improve angler access
• The provincial stocking program

Remaining revenues go to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to provide grants for fish conservation projects.

If you lose your licence:

• You cannot go fishing without a valid licence
• Do not buy a new licence. You are only permitted one annual angling licence per year
• Your retention record must be transferred to the new copy

You will need your angler number:

• If you have forgotten your angler number, you may be able to retrieve it using the e-Licence system
• If you are unable to use the e-Licence options for retrieving it, you can contact FrontCounter BC for assistance

To replace a licence that was bought online:

1. Log back in to the licensing system
2. You will be asked to provide your Angler Number, date of birth and the phone number associated with your profile
3. Download an electronic copy to keep on your electronic device OR

• Reprint it yourself for free, or
• Get a Licence Vendor to reprint a copy for you (there may be a fee). You will need to provide your angler number, date of birth and phone number;

To replace a licence that you bought in person:

• You can get another hard copy printed at any Licence Vendor
• There may be a fee in either case
• You will need to provide your angler number, date of birth and phone number

It's important to review licences to ensure they are correct, prior to completing your purchase. With few exceptions, licences are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Refund requests must be received in writing, include licence and profile details, and forwarded for review to the Wildlife Branch, FishandWildlife@gov.bc.ca with the subject line "Refund Request"

Refunds will not be issued if you bought a licence and did not use it, or you bought an incorrect or duplicate licence.

Conservation Surcharge Stamps are valid for the current licence year, April 1 to March 31, starting on date purchased.

Your basic licence can be validated with up to five annual Conservation Surcharge Stamps, plus a White Sturgeon Conservation Licence. If your basic licence is reprinted, all your retention records must be transferred to the new copy. These stamps are valid for the licence year, (i.e., to March 31).

Prices subject to change. Tax not included. Refund Policy (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Steelhead

• Resident: $28.57
• Non-Resident: $68.57
• Non-Resident Alien: $68.57

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp if you fish for steelhead anywhere in B.C. whether you intend to keep or release your catch. In addition, a steelhead stamp is mandatory when fishing on most classified waters during certain specified periods, even when fishing for species other than steelhead. Refer to the Regional Water-Specific Tables for dates and exceptions.

This stamp is available with all annual and short-term basic licences but you are limited to one stamp per year, regardless of how many short-term licences you buy. You must immediately record your catch on the back of your angling licence when keeping a hatchery steelhead. Please retain your basic licence for the entire licence year as you may be requested to complete an annual steelhead survey.

Note: The ANNUAL province-wide quota for hatchery steelhead is 10. All wild steelhead must be released.

Salmon

• Resident: $17.14
• Non-Resident: $34.29
• Non-Resident Alien: $34.29

Your basic licence must be validated with a salmon conservation stamp to keep a salmon of any legal size or species (other than kokanee) from non-tidal waters. Refer to the DFO Sportfishing Guide’s Regional Water Specific Tables for more information on fishing opportunities. A stamp is not required if you release all salmon caught. You must immediately record your retention of adult chinook salmon on your basic angling licence.

Note: "Adult Chinook" are defined in DFO Sportfishing Guide and on page 80 of the B.C. Freshwater Fishing Regulation Synopsis (PDF, 25.4 MB).

Kootenay Lake Rainbow Trout

• Resident: $11.43
• Non-Resident: $22.86
• Non-Resident Alien: $22.86

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp to keep rainbow trout over 50cm from the main body of Kootenay Lake. You must immediately record your retention on your basic angling licence.

No conservation surcharge stamp is required if you release all Kootenay Lake rainbow trout over 50cm.

Shuswap Lake Rainbow Trout

Shuswap Lake includes the main body of Shuswap Lake, Little Shuswap Lake, South Thompson River between Shuswap Lake and Little Shuswap Lake, Seymour, Anstey and Salmon Arms and Mara Lake.

• Resident: $11.43
• Non-Resident: $22.86
• Non-Resident Alien: $22.86

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp to keep rainbow trout over 50cm from Shuswap Lake. You must immediately record your retention on your basic angling licence.

If your original printed licence deteriorates and you need to reprint it, you are required to write down/transfer all of conservation tag fish recorded on the original copy.

No conservation surcharge stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50cm.

• Resident: $11.43
• Non-Resident: $22.86
• Non-Resident Alien: $22.86

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp to keep char over 60cm caught in Shuswap Lake.* You must immediately record your retention on your basic angling licence.

No conservation surcharge stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake char over 60cm.

100% of your conservation surcharge fees directly benefit fish conservation.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation receives 100% of the surcharge revenue collected from angling licence sales to provide grants for fish conservation projects across B.C..

All revenue generated from the sales of the White Sturgeon Conservation Licence (WSCL) will be directed to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation for use in sturgeon stock management activities.

You must purchase a White Sturgeon Conservation licence, in addition to your basic licence, if you fish for White Sturgeon in the Fraser River Watershed (including tributaries) from the CPR Bridge at Mission to and including Williams Lake River in the Cariboo.  This is a catch and release only fishery - all sturgeon must be released. See Guidelines for Angling White Sturgeon (PDF 159 KB) in B.C. for more information.

Lower Fraser River voluntary sturgeon angling closure areas

 If you plan to fish for White Sturgeon in the lower Fraser River from May 15 to July 31, there are currently seven voluntary and three mandatory sturgeon angling closure areas (PDF 779 KB) located between the Harrison River confluence and just upstream of Hope, B.C.. These closure areas were established to protect confirmed white sturgeon spawning areas. If you would like more information on the location of these voluntary sturgeon angling closure areas, please contact the South Coast Fish and Aquatic Wildlife group at SCFishandAquaticWildlife@gov.bc.ca.

Prices subject to change. Tax not included. Refund Policy (PDF 1.9 MB)

Annual licence

All annual licences are valid for the current licence year, April 1 to March 31, starting on the date purchased.

• Resident: $28.57
• Non-Resident: $68.58
• Non-Resident Alien: $68.58

One-day licence

• Resident: $9.14
• Non-Resident: $17.14
• Non-Resident Alien: $17.14

Eight-day licence

• Resident: $17.14
• Non-Resident: $34.29
• Non-Resident Alien: $34.29

The Classified Waters Licensing System was created to preserve the unique fishing opportunities provided by these waters, which contribute significantly to the province's reputation as a world class fishing destination. The classified waters of B.C. are fifty-two (52) highly productive trout streams. These streams are classified as either Class I or Class II and are listed in the Water Specific Tables for each Region.

To fish on a stream during the period when it is classified, you need all of the following:

• A basic Angling Licence
• A Classified Waters Licence
• Any other stamps required by regulation

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 Prices subject to change. Tax not included. Refund Policy (PDF 1.9 MB)

Basic and supplementary licences and stamps are not valid in National Parks (except for Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. See Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, Provincial Regulations, Fishing in National Parks).

Annual Classified Waters Licence (includes Class I and II)

All annual licences are valid for the current licence year, April 1 to March 31, starting on the date purchased.

• Resident: $17.15
• Annual classified waters licences are not available to non-residents.

Class I Waters Licence

• Non-Resident: $45.72/day
• Non-Resident Alien: $45.72/day

Class II Waters Licence

• Non-Resident: $22.86/day
• Non-Resident Alien: $22.86/day

If you are a B.C. resident:

Your Classified Waters Licence may be purchased on-line or from any licence vendor who may offer this service. The Classified Waters Licence is an annual licence. This means you can fish on any Class I or Class II water in the province during the year the licence is valid.

If you are not a B.C. resident (a non-guided non-resident or non-guided non-resident alien):

Your Classified Waters Licence for Class I or Class II waters may be purchased on-line or from any licence vendor who may offer this service.  Class I and Class II classified waters licences are sold on a per day basis and are date and water specific. Although anglers may purchase as many classified waters licences as they wish, each licence must not exceed 8 consecutive days.

Exception: Special rules apply for the Dean River.

If you are a guided non-resident or a guided non-resident alien:

Your Classified Waters Licence for Class I or Class II waters may be purchased on-line or from any licence vendor who may offer this service.  Class I and Class II classified waters licences are sold on a per day basis and are date and water specific. Although anglers may purchase as many classified waters licences as they wish, each licence must not exceed 8 consecutive days.

Exception: Guided Non-Resident Aliens may only purchase one classified waters licence for the Dean River per year.

As part of the implementation of the 2015 Kootenay Angling Management Plan (PDF, 720 KB), a booking system was implemented for non-guided non-residents and non-guided non-resident aliens wanting to fish on Michel Creek, Skookumchuck Creek, and the Wigwam River. These regulatory measures are to help ensure a quality fishing experience, reduce crowding and to support trout conservation.

Angler days available for non-guided non-residents

In order to distribute angling pressure throughout the season, the region has set bi-weekly allocations for each residency group (Non-Resident (NR) and Non-Resident Alien (NRA)). The following angler day quotas for non-guided non-residents will be distributed throughout the angling season:

Michel Creek River System

Allocation Period	NR Angler Days	NRA Angler Days
June 15-30	4	2
July 1-15	20	14
July 16-31	64	49
August 1-15	78	73
August 16-31	81	72
September 1-15	64	49
September 16-30	38	31
October 1-15	15	11
October 16-31	4	1
Annual Allocation:	368 days	302 days

Skookumchuck Creek River System

Allocation Period	NR Angler Days	NRA Angler Days
July 1-15	2	4
July 16-31	20	10
August 1-15	42	25
August 16-31	43	48
September 1-15	15	15
September 16-30	5	4
October 1-15	3	0
Annual Allocation:	130 days	106 days

Wigwam Creek River System

Allocation Period	NR Angler Days	NRA Angler Days
June 15-30	1	0
July 1-15	8	2
July 16-31	14	13
August 1-15	42	38
August 16-31	43	38
September 1-15	23	21
September 16-30	12	8
October 1-15	5	3
October 16-31	1	0
Annual Allocation:	149 days	123 days

Classified waters licences (for non-residents) are available for purchase through the online angling licensing system on March 1^st of each angling year at 00:00:01 PST along with all other angling licence pre-sales for the new licence year. Licence pre-sales will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Once the non-guided non-resident angler days are fully allocated, non-guided anglers may choose to either fish with a licensed angling guide or choose another classified water without these restrictions.