B.C. Recreational Freshwater Fishing Licence

Freshwater fishing licences are available in a range of options from single day to annual licences that last all year, from April 1 through March 31. Please review the information provided to learn more about different licence options, pricing and other key details.

On this page

• Which licence you need
• Buy your licence
• Basic licences and fees
• Lost licences
• Residency explained
• Refunds

Which licence you need

Check your residency before buying any licences. Your residency will determine which licence you should purchase and the price of the licence.

• B.C. resident
• Non-resident and non-resident alien

If you are under 16 and a resident of B.C., no licences or stamps are required to fish non-tidal (fresh) waters in B.C. You do not need to be accompanied by a licence holder and are entitled to your own quota of fish.

If you are under 16 and a non-resident of B.C., no licence is required to fish non-tidal (fresh) waters in B.C. but you must be accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older who has the appropriate licences and stamps. Any fish you keep are 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.

If you are a First Nations person who is eligible to be registered under the Indian Act (Canada) and a resident of B.C., no licences are required to fish non-tidal (fresh) waters in B.C.

If you are a non-resident of B.C., please review the requirements regarding Classified Waters licensing as this differs from residents.

Buy your licence

Online

Freshwater fishing licences can be purchased online through the e-Licensing System.

Purchase a licence

• E-Licence tutorial (PDF, 1.5MB)

Scheduled maintenance may limit access to the e-Licensing system on Sunday mornings from 5 am to 11 am PT (6 am to noon MT).

In person

Freshwater fishing licences can be purchased at:

• FrontCounter BC offices
• Service BC offices
• Vendor locations

Basic licences and fees

Licensing rules

• 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 fishing 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

Basic licence options and pricing

Prices subject to change. Tax not included.

*B.C. residents aged 65 and over have the option to purchase an annual basic licence at the reduced rate of $5.71 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.

Lost licences

• 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

Replace a licence

You will need to know your angler number to replace a lost licence. If you have forgotten your angler number, you may be able to retrieve it using the e-Licensing system. If you are unable to use the e-Licensing options for retrieving it, you can contact FrontCounter BC for assistance.

If you bought your licence through the e-Licensing system, you can:

1. Log in to the e-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.

You can also visit any FrontCounter BC location, Service BC location or licence vendor to reprint a copy. Vendors may charge a fee for reprinting.

Residency explained

B.C. resident

Under the Wildlife Act, a B.C. resident is a person who is:

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, whose only or primary residence is in B.C. and who has been physically present in B.C. for the greater portion of each of 6 calendar months out of the 12 calendar months immediately before doing a thing under the Wildlife Act

Or

• A person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, whose only or primary residence is in B.C. and who has been physically present in B.C. for the greater portion of each of the 12 calendar months immediately before doing a thing under the Wildlife Act

Residency exemption

In some cases, an angler may not be required to be a B.C. resident to purchase a B.C. resident fishing licence. This applies to any angler who is:

• Currently serving full-time in the Canadian military and who has made his or her permanent residence in B.C. for 30 consecutive days prior to purchasing a B.C. fishing licence. Appropriate military identification and posting documentation is required

Or

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, who leaves B.C. to attend a recognized educational institution, and who returns to B.C. on completion of studies at the institution

Or

• Under 18 years of age, has resided with a parent or guardian in another province and returns to B.C. to reside with another parent or guardian who is a resident

Definition of non-resident

Under the Wildlife Act a non-resident is a person who in not a B.C. resident, but:

• Who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada

Or

• Whose only or primary residence is in Canada, and has resided in Canada for the 12 month period immediately before making an application under the Wildlife Act or doing another thing relevant to the operation of the Wildlife Act

A non-resident alien means a person who is neither a B.C. resident nor a non-resident.

Non-resident anglers must be familiar with B.C. fishing laws and regulations before hunting in B.C.

If you plan to fish in B.C., review the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.

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.