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Learn about and apply for a recreational fishing licence

All recreational fishers must have a licence to harvest fish and shellfish in tidal (salt) waters in British Columbia. If possible, purchase your licence online before you head out as not all fishing locations have an Independent Access Provider  that sells licences.

Apply now for a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence

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What licence do you need

Where are you fishing What are you fishing for or harvesting Age of fisher or harvester Licence needed
Tidal (salt) waters in B.C. Any species of finfish or shellfish All ages A valid B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence
Tidal (salt) waters in B.C. Salmon All ages

A valid B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence

A salmon conservation stamp if salmon are retained

Non-tidal (fresh) waters in B.C. Salmon 16 years old and older

A valid provincial freshwater fishing licence with a salmon conservation stamp if salmon are retained

Note that you need separate salmon conservation stamps for tidal and non-tidal recreational fishing licences; stamps are not interchangeable and provincial fees may differ from those listed here

Non-tidal (fresh) waters in B.C. Salmon Under 16 years old

Licensing requirements vary; see the B.C. Recreational Freshwater Fishing Licence page for more information

Tidal (salt) waters in B.C. Halibut All ages

A valid B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence

In Areas 121, 23 and 123:

  • Canadian residents may purchase a licence online
  • Non-Canadian residents must purchase a licence from an Independent Access Provider (a licence vendor) in Canada

For technical issues such as printing your licence, please contact us.

Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence fees

Annual licences are valid from April 1 to March 31. Prices do not include GST.

2024/2025 licence fees
Licence type and duration Age of fisher or harvester Resident fee Non-resident fee
Annual Adult (16-64 years) $24.12 $116.02
Annual Senior (65 years old and older) $12.63 $116.02
Annual Juvenile (under 16 years old) Free Free
5 day licence 16 years old and older $18.38 $35.93
3 day licence 16 years old and older $12.63 $21.82
1 day licence 16 years old and older $6.04 $8.04
Salmon conservation stamp (annual) All ages if salmon is retained $6.89 $6.89

A Canadian resident is an individual who normally lives in Canada. A non-resident is anyone who does not live in Canada. Proof of residency may be requested.

How to purchase a licence

You can purchase a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence through:

Non-residents fishing for halibut in Areas 121, 23 and 123 may only purchase their licence from an Independent Access Provider in Canada.

As refunds will not be issued for purchased licences, make sure your licence selection (including the fishing year) is correct before completing your transaction.

How to replace a lost, damaged or stolen licence

If your licence is lost, accidentally destroyed or stolen you may:

The catch records on the previous licence must be transferred to the replacement licence. It is illegal to hold more than one valid licence.

Licensing rules

A valid B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence:

You must immediately and permanently record all retained chinook and halibut caught in any Management Area and lingcod caught in Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14), Subareas 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5 in the catch records table on your licence. If mobile internet access is available, you may immediately record your retained catch in your National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) catch log or the FishingBC app catch log instead.

It is illegal to hold more than one licence.

Contact us

Telephone: 1-877-535-7307

Email: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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