BC's Family Fishing Weekend June 17, 18 and 19

Get together with family and friends to celebrate the great tradition of sport fishing! During BC’s Family Fishing Weekend, held each year on Father’s Day weekend, we're offering BC residents and visitors an opportunity to fish for free!

All area closures, fishing limits and restrictions and conditions of a regular license will apply. See the BC Sport Fishing Guide for details. Please learn about when and where you can fish and do your part to conserve and protect BC fisheries.

Family Fishing Weekend licensing requirements

Fishing in fresh waters?

If you're fishing for salmon, you'll need to apply for a free 3 day licence, valid from June 17 to 19 only. In addition, you'll need to purchase a salmon conservation stamp. The BC Government offers a complimentary basic freshwater licence for Family Fishing Weekend.

Fishing in salt waters?

If you're fishing in Canadian Pacific salt waters for any species other than salmon, halibut or lingcod, you don't need a licence to fish on June 17 to 19 only. If you already have a valid tidal waters fishing licence, you must carry it when you are fishing during Family Fishing Weekend. You must also record your catch for the species specified on your licence conditions.

If you want to keep salmon

• Apply for a free Family Fishing Weekend tidal water fishing licence or basic freshwater licence, depending on where you're fishing.
• Purchase a salmon conservation stamp
• Check the BC Sport Fishing Guide before you go. All area closures, fishing limits and restrictions apply
• All chinook catch must be recorded on your licence in ink, or in the National Recreational Licensing System.

If you want to keep halibut caught anywhere in British Columbia

• Apply for a free Family Fishing Weekend tidal water fishing licence
• Check the BC Sport Fishing Guide before you go. Daily, possession, annual and size limits are in effect.
• All halibut catch must be recorded on your licence in ink, or in the National Recreational Licensing System.

If you want to keep lingcod caught in the Strait of Georgia (Areas 12 to 19 and Subareas 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5)

• Apply for a free Family Fishing Weekend tidal water fishing licence
• Check the BC Sport Fishing Guide before you go. Daily, possession, annual and size limits are in effect.
• All lingcod catch must be recorded on your licence in ink, or in the National Recreational Licensing System.

Related links

• First time fishing? What you need to know
• Information about catch and release fishing
• List of community fishing events during BC’s Family Fishing Weekend