What You Need to Know about Canada Fishing Licence?

The purpose of issuing a Canada fishing licence is to maintain and preserve aquatic diversity. There are two popular fishing licences, the Ontario licence, and British Columbia Fishing Licence. 

Thus, there are two types of licences available for fishing. Those are Recreational & Commercial Fishing licences. Well, for a normal fishing licence, one opts for RFL. Two types of water will be provided to a fisherman.

Non-Tidal and Tidal water will be further categorized into salt and fresh water under both types. Especially the British Columbia Tidal Waters sport fishing licence offers a lot of opportunities to harvest different types of fish.

Therefore, licences are issued to preserve the natural aquatic diversity and rare species. The fish offered to harvest in the season are mostly Salmon and Halibut.

1. Let’s Know About The Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL)

One can get a valid licence by using an online platform or Independent Access Provider (IAP) to buy a licence online. To do fishing in B.C., every recreational fisher should hold an RFL to get permission to harvest fish and shellfish.

1.1. 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.

1.1.1. The Fasher River

Some of the main feature of the river is its calmness, which makes it extremely competitive while fishing. There is a mission presumed which constantly look after the river.

Under magnificent scenery, fishermen love to do fishing while chatting with other Fishermans. The famous watershed salmon fish travel all way from Georgia Strait to the last stoppage, which is the Tidal Fasher River.

1.1.2. Osoyoos Lake 

The region has an interesting climatic condition; it consists of a desert and a very large lake in the middle of the western Canada region. The lake is near Osoyoos City, which is situated in the Okanagan desert.

Well, the lake is pointed in the south of the valley. Every year a large number of fishermen arrive. The lake is famous for a fish specie called Rainbow Trout and many other known fishes.

1.1.3. Northern Rookies Lodge

It has a unique feature regarding water bodies. Local allegedly says the area is rich in rare natural resources with highly valuable rare fish species.

1.2. 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.

Note; for further information thus, visit Fisheries & Oceans Canada.

1.3. Where to Buy Non-Tidal Water Sports Licence in B.C.?

One can buy the B.C Freshwater Fishing E-Licence online or through a licenced vendor. Thus this licence is only for freshwater fishing.

This is available in many variations. One can have it for a single day or up to annual licences from April to March. For more information, visit the Recreational Freshwater Fishing Licence page. 

1.4. B.C Freshwater Fishing Licence Age & Conditions 

There are two conditions needed for one to do fishing in B.C. First, a licence and a Salmon conversation stamp on the back of the licence. Despite these two conditions being reflected by the 3 age system;

If one is 16 or above or if one is under 16 and a resident of B.C and under 16 with non-residency. 

1.5. Fees Structure for Non-Tidal Water Sports Fishing Licence of B.C

If anyone wants to create FWFL, then one can visit the site of B.C. There are various annual licences with pay structures available to opt for. The price may get updated, but taxes are not applicable.

There are 5 types of licences available. Currently, the average difference between angling annual licences is $39 approx.

Resident, Non-Resident (normal or alien), Resident with a disability, and Older Resident 65+. Well, one can verify the prices of the fishing licence online.

The older and a person with a disability have an advantage regarding prices. But the only thing criterion is that person needs to be a resident of B.C, Canada.

And don’t worry! If the non-residents want to enjoy fishing or hunting at minimum cost. Then they can opt for short-term licences.

Currently, to purchase one day licence, the cost may vary from $10-$21 approx. And to purchase the 8-days licence, the cost may be charged between $20-$55 approx. in any of the “Canada Fishing Licence “.

1.5.1. The Different Resident Types FWFL (Annually)

1. Resident (Primary Residence)
2. Resident (Older or 65+)
3. Resident (Disability)
4. Non-Resident
5. Non-Resident (alien)

1.5.2. Various Short term licences

1. One-day FWFL;
   1. Resident (Primary)
   2. Non-Resident (& alien) (Price will be same for both)
2. Eight days FWFL;
   1. Resident;
   2. Non-resident (&alien) (Price will be same for both)

Disabilities have been offered by the government as an advantage of the program. Which allows lowering the price by $0.5-$2.

Although one needs to be 90% disabled and should be a core resident of Canada. Well, one can enjoy this advantage only in NTFWFL (Non-Tidal).

To complete the process, one needs to fill out an application form. At the B part of the application, one will receive a confirmation regarding beneficiaries.

Or one can fill out the C part of the application and confirm by any legal physician or nurse. After filling out the application form, one can send the documents via mail. One can visit the B.C.’s official site and check for the mailing address.

1.6. Refund and Lost Licence Policy of Canada Fishing Licence

There are some criteria that make refunds inapplicable, or they can not be transferred from one place to another. Thus, if one finds any mistakes in their printed licence.

Then one needs to issue a request letter in writing. Also, the licence and detail of the profile should be attached to the document.

The request will not be permitted if one brings a fake or possession of a un use licence. To submit, visit a fisheries branch or online. Thus visit the fish and wildlife page of B.C.

Make sure to write “Request Refund” as the subject line during the email. But what if one loses or wants to renew the licence? Well, if one lost the licence, then one cannot go fishing or make another one.

Simply the details will be transferred into another valid licence because there is only a limit of one for an angling licence. There are two things required for reissuing a lost licence. First, one can use the angler number.

If one can’t remember the number, then use an e-licence platform or can visit a local licence vendor. There are maybe some charges included. Second, just visit a local licence vendor in person to renew a lost licence.

The necessary details will be required of D.O.B, angler number, and phone number (registered).

1.7. Conservation Stamp in Canada Fishing Licence 

This is the most important feature of the FWFL. A conversation stamp is provided to control the hunting outcome. Generally, an FWFL contains a one-year possession limit or validity.

And from the date of issuing, benefits with 5 annum conversation stamp plus a white sturgeon stamp. Thus, there are some extra charges included with FWFL. And these charges are tax-free but may get changed.

The conservation stamp is available for 3 types of special fish. Those are Steelhead, Salmon, and Rainbow trout of two lakes. These stamps are required for overprotective water areas.

Where to conserve the rare species of fish. Among these stamps, the Salmon Conservation stamp is the best alternative for less price. Which will cost an average between $15-$33. Whether for residents or non-residents.

Note; for more details, please visit B.C. official site.

2. Ontario Fishing Licence: What is an Outdoor Card?

This is a laminated identification card issued by the Canadian government. The cost will be no more than $9 with the tax. And it included renewed, lost, or reprinted services. Although, for both card and licence, the cost will be charged separately.

But the information about the licence will be printed on the back side of the card. Thus, government permits a person to hunt for fish or any other animal species.

The size of the card is like any other debit or credit card. Well, the validity of the card can be of 1 year or three calendar years, which goes the same for the licence.

2.1. Steps to Get a Fishing Licence Tag on Outdoor Card

1. First, one needs to get an Outdoor card, but the exemption is for those below 18 and 65+ old age. (normal identification card will work.)
2. Those who are 18+ or below 65 of age need to issue a valid licence and outdoor card.
3. For military personnel, it’s free but required to carry a military identification card.
4. One can be an eligible licence holder under four criteria; should be an Ontario resident, a Canadian resident, a hunter, or a non-resident.
5. Then visit Ontario’s official site, and buy online, where three services are available. Fish and Wildlife Licencing Service, location service, or user of the licence.
6. Valid for three calendar years, licences can be purchased from offline services.
7. Then choose between a sport and conservation licence and pay the fee. The fee will be charged between $12-$80, whether it’s for 3 years, 1 year, or 1 day.
8. The required document to buy a licence and card are D.O.B, full name, and bio info with the postal or resident address.
9. For payment methods, one can use VISA or Master VISA but American Express is not allowed.

2.2. 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.

2.2.1. The Algonquin Provincial Park

One of the best parts of the park is that it’s allowed to do more fishing than other areas. Every year striking numbers of visitors are witnessed by the management. Especially in mid-fall, the visitors like to visit more in this lake more.

2.2.2. The Bay of Quint

This place is famous for catching more than 15-pound walleye fish. But not more than 11. The bay is open mainly during the spring season. The sprout fish are also top choices among fishers.

Concluding Thoughts

There are a lot of presumptions and exemptions regarding fishing and hunting in Canada. Programs are conducted by governments to conserve fish. At the same time, they are ensuring that people have fun.

Thus, the fees are fair; there are a lot of benefits provided for the disabled, older and younger. Especially for veterans and other military personnel for free. But excessive hunting could lead to the extinction of rare species of fish. Thus, there are several conservation stamps to protect wildlife.

Overall if one wants to know in detail, then please visit the official sites respective to their province. In all of the provinces in Canada, the lakesides or riversides are the best places for fishing. Festivals or carnivals are organized every year but with proper restrictions.

Well, according to the restrictions, the limit of catching fish is set between 50-100. This depends on the current criteria of government because it is subject matter to change.

Therefore, the Western countries finally learned after the extinction of the Dodo bird due to excessive hunting. Canada uses it extensively, but still, there needs to do a lot of improvement regarding wildlife extinction.

In a report, more than 70% of animal gets killed., annually out of the world’s total percentage in Western countries and middle eastern countries.

But still, they were able to get conserve a large amount of indigenous land and able to give people a lifetime enjoyment. Especially the Canadian residents will be held more responsible for not having any outdoor card.

The stamp is a recognizable mark to allow any domestic fisherman to do fishing. Also, it allows the fishers to do fishing in any protected national parks in Canada.