Fishing in British Columbia? Here’s how to get your fishing license

British Columbia is a beautiful place to fish, with its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting into the sport, you should familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations governing recreational fishing in British Columbia.

In this article, we’ll look at how to get your fishing license in BC and cover some other important considerations for anglers. We'll also explain how Wise can help with your monetary needs while you enjoy your fishing experience.

All about the fishing license in British Columbia

Fishing in British Columbia requires a valid fishing license, regardless of whether you are a resident or non-resident. Non-residents must purchase their licenses from an authorized dealer before heading out for the day.

You just need one non resident fishing license BC has to offer from their two choices: freshwater and saltwater.

Freshwater fishing

A B.C. Recreational Freshwater Fishing Licence is helpful for anglers wanting to fish in lakes, rivers or streams. You can purchase one from an authorized vendor or through e-licensing¹.

To get a license, you must:

• Be 16 or older
• Have a basic fishing license that fits B.C. criteria¹
• Purchase supplementary licenses/stamps necessary for where you are fishing¹

Non-resident fishers under 16 do not need a license but must be accompanied by a license holder. The fish they catch belong to the license holder unless they get a license themselves. B.C. offers three types of licenses: one-day, eight-day, or annual¹.

Saltwater fishing

If you’re planning to fish in the ocean, you’ll need a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing License. You can purchase this license online through the National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) or an Independent Access Provider².

The BC saltwater fishing license has similar requirements to the freshwater license. However, you should note that fishing for salmon that you plan to keep requires an extra annual stamp that costs 6.46 CAD².

The BC tidal fishing license has more timeline options than the BC freshwater fishing license. You can get a one-day, three-day, five-day, or annual license².

How to get a fishing license in British Columbia

Now that you understand the basics, let’s go more in-depth on getting your license.

If you’re planning to get your license in person, you must make sure that the license vendor/provider is legitimate. The easiest way to do this is by looking up vendors on a governmental database.

You can use the Government of Canada’s Independent Access Providers³ list for tidal/saltwater licenses or British Columbia’s list of Hunting and Fishing Licence Retail Vendors⁴ for freshwater licenses. The Government of Canada suggests you contact the retailers before going in to ensure they have licenses available³. You should also note that if you are fishing for halibut in areas 23, 121, or 123, non-residents must get their tidal license in-person².

If you choose the online option, you’ll need to register through the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website for a tidal/saltwater license⁵, or the British Columbia website for a freshwater license⁶. You’ll make an account with your personal information for both accounts and purchase right from the website.

For the most part, it doesn’t matter whether you get your license online or in person, and there is no change in pricing. So if you’d like to be prepared before your visit, you should look into online options. This will also help you save money while you’re in B.C.

Use Wise for all your travel expenses to avoid excessive fees

You could use a traditional credit or debit card to purchase your license online. However, using these payment methods could result in hidden fees and currency conversion costs due to markups on the mid-market exchange rate - costing you more money than necessary.

Wise offers you an account which lets you hold money in CAD when you travel in Canada. There is also the possibility to use the Wise card. You’ll avoid unnecessary currency conversion charges with this because you can make payments in CAD right from your account. You can use this list to see if you’re able to get the Wise card in your country currently.

How to renew a fishing license in British Columbia

To renew your license, you’ll simply have to go back through the process you took to get your original license. If you did so online, it’s easier because your information is stored.

Cost of a fishing license in British Columbia

Both freshwater and tidal/saltwater licenses are not required for fishers under 16, as long as they are accompanied by an adult license holder and don’t wish to keep their catches.

Things to consider while planning a fishing trip in British Columbia

What are the essential things to carry when going fishing in British Columbia?

Before heading out to fish in B.C., make sure you have your fishing license, necessary stamps, and the following items:

• Identification (driver's licence, passport, etc.)
• A personal flotation device for each person on board
• Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather
• Food and water
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• First aid kit
• Fishing supplies

Where can I find the official regulations for fishing in British Columbia?

You can find regulations for tidal/saltwater fishing on the Government of Canada website², and regulations for freshwater fishing can be found on the British Columbia website¹.

What are the best places in British Columbia to catch freshwater fish?

British Columbia is home to a variety of freshwater fishing spots, with many opportunities for anglers of all levels. Popular locations include the Fraser River, Shuswap Lake and the Okanagan Valley. All these destinations offer excellent chances to catch a variety of fish, like Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon and Bull Trout.

What are the best places in British Columbia to catch saltwater fish?

The Pacific Coast of British Columbia is renowned for its saltwater fishing opportunities. Popular spots include the Gulf Islands, Barkley Sound and Vancouver Island’s west coast. Anglers can expect to catch salmon, halibut and lingcod in these waters.

Sources verified on: 01 September 2023