Recreational freshwater fishing licences
Last updated on April 1, 2026
You must have valid freshwater fishing licences to fish for any species in non-tidal (fresh) waters. Freshwater fishing licences are available as one‑day, eight‑day, or annual licences (April 1 to March 31). The licence you need depends on where you plan to fish, what you are fishing for, and your residency.
Freshwater licences do not apply in tidal (salt) waters. To fish in tidal waters, you must have a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
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Buy freshwater fishing licences
Buy freshwater fishing licences online in WILD or in-person.
Licence types and fees
Your residency, age and where you plan to fish determine which licences apply to you.
Review the residency definitions to determine your residency type.
B.C. resident
B.C. residents aged 16 and older must have a valid basic freshwater fishing licence. Residents under 16 do not need licences or stamps and may keep their own quota.
B.C. resident First Nations individuals eligible under the Indian Act (Canada) do not require a freshwater fishing licence.
Depending on where you fish and what species you plan to catch, you may also need a conservation licence, conservation surcharge stamps, or a Classified Waters Licence. For full licence requirements, including water and species‑specific regulations, consult the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.
|
Basic licence types |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
Annual licence |
$41.15 |
|
One-day licence |
$11.43 |
|
Eight-day licence |
$22.86 |
|
Annual licence for fee reduction program for residents with disabilities |
$1.14 |
|
Annual licence for 65+ |
$5.71 |
Non-resident and non-resident alien
Non‑residents and non-resident aliens aged 16 and older must have a valid basic freshwater licence. Non‑residents under 16 may fish without a licence if accompanied by licence holder who is 16 or older. Any fish kept counts toward the licence holder’s quota. To keep their own quota, they must buy their own licence and any required stamps.
Depending on where you fish and what species you plan to catch, you may also need a conservation licence, conservation surcharge stamps, or a Classified Waters Licence. For full licence requirements, including water and species‑specific regulations, consult the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.
|
Basic licence types |
Non-resident fee |
Non-resident alien fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual licence |
$62.87 |
$91.44 |
|
One-day licence |
$22.86 |
$22.86 |
|
Eight-day licence |
$41.15 |
$57.14 |
All freshwater fishing licence fees go directly to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, to support fish stocking, improved angler access, conservation and education programs, and fisheries research.
All conservation surcharge fees go to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, to fund fish conservation projects across B.C.
Manage your licences
Log in to WILD to view, download, or reprint your licence at any time.
Licences are linked to your online Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) profile. While fishing you must carry your FWID and photo ID.
- If you have a Conservation Surcharge Stamp, you must carry an unmodified paper or digital copy of your licence
- When a Conservation Surcharge retention record is required, an unmodified paper copy of your licence is required to record your catch
Refunds
It's important to review licences to ensure they are correct prior to completing your purchase. As per the Refund Policy (PDF, 1.9MB), with few exceptions, licences are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Refund requests must be received in writing, include licence and profile details, and be forwarded for review to 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 if you bought an incorrect or duplicate licence.