Tourists and anglers looking to go fishing at some of the lakes near campgrounds in Canada might want to get hold of a fishing license if they want to go out and try catching some trout or salmon.

The type of fishing licence you need will vary according to the province or territory you’re in, but we will talk about two of the most popular ones – the Ontario fishing licence for non-residents, and the British Columbia Fishing Licence. 

Go for a recreational and commercial fishing licence, like the Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence, which offers a lot of opportunities to harvest different types of fish, like salmon and halibut during specific seasons.

Why Tourists Might Want to Go For The Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL)

You can get a valid licence by going online to the province site, or from an Independent Access Provider (IAP) to buy a license online.

For Ontario, you can get an Outdoors Card here that helps you to get a licence to fish for as little as a day. We personally think that you should go for the eight-day license, as that may cover the days you want to spend fishing in B.C. Also, as a tourist from outside Canada, you can register for your angler licence here for as little as $60 CAD. And if you’re a tourist from within Canada, expect to shell up less than $40 CAD.

To do fishing in B.C., every recreational fisher should hold an RFL to get permission to harvest fish and shellfish.

Top Three Fishing Places in British Columbia, Canada 

Here are the best 3 fishing places in BC, on the west coast of Canada, where one can enjoy the natural beauty of surrounding mountains and water bodies while fishing.

1. The Fasher River

The river is calm, is a migration route for many birds, and has a rich biodiversity – making it a great spot to catch trout, salmon, and sturgeon. The famous watershed salmon fish, for instance, travel all the way from Georgia Strait to the Tidal Fasher River.

2. Osoyoos Lake 

Now, this lake is near Osoyoos City, which is itself in a desert – with a very large lake in the middle. The Okanagan Desert, Canada’s only desert, is home to a fish species called the Rainbow Trout and many other known fishes.

3. Northern Rookies Lodge

This is one of the places you go to if you’re looking to fish with stunning water and mountain backdrops – ideal for some great Instagram pictures. Local allegedly says the area is rich in rare natural resources with highly valuable rare fish species.

What are The Rules for Licensing in British Columbia?

To be a valid licence holder for TWsFL (Tidal Watersport Fishing Licence), one must:

• Harvest any finfish of any fish species or shellfish should be brought in or held responsible.
• Whenever government authorities ask for an inspection, one must be ready with receipts of catch.
• It can not be taken from one place to another and doesn’t require the signature of the holder.
• The annual licence is valid from the date of issuing until March 31st, and the short-term licence is valid until midnight of the final day.

Ensure You’ve a Conservation Stamp in Canada Fishing Licence 

Generally, an FWFL stamp contains a one-year possession limit or validity and from the date of issuing, and is available for 3 types of special fishes. Those are Steelhead, Salmon, and Rainbow trout of two lakes. These stamps are required for overprotective water areas. Among these stamps, the Salmon Conservation stamp is the best alternative for a lesser price and will cost an average of between $15-$33.

Ontario Fishing Licence– Which One Is for You?

1. Outdoors Card

The Outdoors Card and Fishing License Bundles are recreational fishing licences mainly for non-residents in Canada. It has a validity of only three years. This license allows the holder to undertake recreational fishing in Ontario’s waters and grants you access to fish in some of Ontario’s most popular fishing places. But, fishes caught through this licence, however, cannot be used for commercial purposes. So do not get greedy if you only have an outdoor card.

2. Sport License

A Sport License allows tourists and residents to fish as part of the sport. This license applies to those who are above 18 years of age.  Always check that the broker is an authorized person to avoid fraud. The license is a must when you are fishing in Ontario’s beautiful lakes.

3. Conservation License

If you wish to turn your catch into a delicious dish, you will require a Conservation License. It is an electronic license that permits catch for personal consumption.

4. Tourist License

If you are not a Canadian resident then it is the tourist license that you will need. It is a license for non-resident visitors to Ontario. It can be used for fishing for sport and recreation only. 

Restrictions in the Ontario Fishing

A license will let you fish Ontario but you may end up behind bars if you do not follow these rules. There are various limits in fishing to conserve fish populations and thereby preserve natural resources. 

• Some species of fish may have a minimum size limit wherein a smaller catch will be required to be released back into the lake unharmed whereas maximum limits prohibit the retention of catches above a certain size.
• An angler is permitted to keep only a limited number of fish of a specific species in a single day, such as five walleye, or two northern pikes or lake trout. So, the number of catches in a single day by an angler.
• There are restrictions during June and July to protect fish during spawning and breeding.
• Catching certain species of fish is restricted to conserve their populations. These prohibitions are mostly for walleye and northern pike.
• Selling of fish that have been caught by anglers who do not possess conservation licenses is prohibited.
• There are restrictions on certain types of bait that can be used for fishing.

Two Best Places for Fishing in Ontario

The Algonquin Provincial Park and The Bay of Quinte are two of the best places for fishing in Ontario. Well, the exotic natural scenery with the sunset brings the romantic feeling of a lifetime.

The Algonquin Provincial Park – the ideal place to go in mid-fall, for finding trout and other freshwater species.

The Bay of Quint – Your place to go if you’re looking to catch some 15-pound walleye fish. The bay is open mainly during the spring season and is a top choice among fishers.

Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani