Freshwater Licences
If you are 16 years of age or older you must have a valid basic freshwater fishing licence to fish recreationally in non-tidal waters in B.C. You must also purchase the appropriate supplementary licences and stamps. If you are under 16 and a resident of B.C., you may sport fish without any licence or stamp but must still abide by the regulations.
You can purchase your recreational freshwater fishing licence online through the government of B.C.’s website, or from an authorized vendor.
Please note, if you’re going to fish in tidal waters, you will need to purchase your tidal waters sport fishing licence through the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.
100% of freshwater fishing licence fees go toward making fishing even better.
Under an agreement signed between the Province and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC in 2015, 100% of the revenue generated from fishing licences directly benefits recreational fisheries. That’s right, every penny goes into research, conservation and education programs, improving angler access and our 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.
Freshwater Regulations
Be sure to read and understand the Freshwater Fishing Regulations before you go fishing. You can download and print specific regions from the synopsis or obtain a hard copy from a licence vendor. To download the 2023-2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (Complete Edition) click here, or for the Provincial Regulations only, click here.
To download the 2023-2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis by region please use the links below:
Check the government website for in-season regulation changes. You can also sign-up to receive email updates when the page is updated.
Visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website for more information on salmon regulations.