Licencing & Regulations
Fishing Licences Separate licences are required for freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. Your license must be with you at all times while fishing and, if asked, you must produce it for inspection by a Conservation Officer, Fishery Officer, RCMP officer, Park Ranger or an Officer under the Wildlife Act. If a licence is lost, accidentally destroyed, or misplaced you must obtain a replacement licence before fishing.
It is strongly recommended that before fishing in any waters in BC, you obtain a copy of the applicable regulations (see Regulations below).
Freshwater Fishing Licences If you are 16 years of age or older you must have a valid freshwater angling license to fish for any species of fish in non-tidal waters (including salmon). You must also have the appropriate supplementary licenses and stamps for certain species or bodies of water. You can purchase an annual, one-day, or eight-day licence at more than 1300 outlets in BC, including most sporting goods stores, tackle shops, resorts, service stations, marinas, certain department stores, and BC Access Centres. You can also receive your freshwater licence by mail after completing the application package ( 32 kb PDF) available on Angling Licences & Fees section of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection website.
Saltwater Fishing Licences A tidal waters sport fishing licence is required to fish, spear fish, net, or capture any species of finfish or shellfish. If you wish to retain salmon, you must also have the appropriate Salmon Conservation Stamp. You can purchase an annual licence or a one-, three or five-day licence online or at more than 600 outlets in BC, including most sporting goods stores, tackle shops, resorts, service stations, marinas, charter boat operators and certain department stores.
Published every two years, the Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide also includes information on non-tidal salmon fishing, and can be obtained anywhere you purchase your licence. Because changes occur in-season, you should check for regulation/restriction updates with local Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) offices or online at their very comprehensive Pacific Region Recreational Fishing site before fishing.
Regulations
In addition to detailed information about quotas, size limits, equipment restrictions, closures, special measures, definitions and laws, both the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis and the British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide include information on a variety of programs available to you.
The Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis is published each spring and does not include information on fishing for non-tidal salmon (see the Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide for this).
The Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide are published separately and can be obtained anywhere you purchase your licence. The Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide is published every two years and also includes information on non-tidal salmon fishing. Because changes are likely between printings, you are advised to check with local Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) offices or check online for regulation updates prior to fishing.
