It's time to renew your fishing license
Freshwater Fisheries of BC
Fishing season has started, and it's time to get your license. When you buy a fishing licence, you help us stock more than 800 lakes a year, and create more fishing spots close to home. You also help fund important research, conservation, and education programs.
100% of the revenue generated from fishing licences directly benefits recreational fisheries, under an agreement signed between the Province and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC in 2015. We invest every dollar spent by anglers on fishing licences into research, conservation and education programs, improving angler access, and the stocking program.
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation receives 100% of the surcharge revenue collected from angling licence sales to provide grants for fish conservation projects.
Buying your freshwater fishing license:
You have two options for purchasing your non-tidal/freshwater fishing licence. You can purchase your freshwater fishing licence online through the government of B.C.’s website or in person from any vendor who offers the service.
If you wish to fish tidal waters, you can purchase your tidal waters sport fishing licence through the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.
Who needs a fishing license?
If you are 16 years of age or older you must have a valid basic freshwater fishing licence to sport fish in non-tidal waters in BC, and you must purchase appropriate supplementary licences and stamps. If you are under 16 and a resident of BC you may sport fish without any licence or stamp but must still abide by the regulations.
Angling licenses & fees:
For information on angling licences and fees, visit the provincial government’s Fish and Wildlife Branch website.
Regulations:
Before you head out on the water, be sure to read and understand the Freshwater Fishing Regulations. You can download and print specific regions from the synopsis or obtain a hard copy from a licence vendor. To download the 2015-2017 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (Complete Edition) click here.
To download the 2015-2017 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis by region please use the links below:
- Region 1 - Vancouver Island
- Region 2 - Lower Mainland
- Region 3 - Thompson
- Region 4 - Kootenay
- Region 5 - Cariboo
- Region 6 - Skeena
- Region 7A - Omineca
- Region 7B - Peace
- Region 8 - Okanagan
Visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website for more information on salmon regulations.
Originally published here.