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

• Notices
• What licence do you need
• Buy your licence
• Basic licences and fees
• Lost licences
• Refunds

Notices

What licence do 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 service on Sunday mornings from 5:00am to 9:00am Pacific time (6am to 10am Mountain time).

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.

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.