Fishing licence in Canada: what anglers need

Sea

partly

Freshwater

licence

Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Canada?

In British Columbia, tidal waters require a Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), at any age; it is free under 16. Keeping salmon also requires the Salmon Conservation Stamp. On the Atlantic coast (Maritimes Region) the licence rules depend on the species; mackerel by handline or rod, for example, needs no licence.

Source: DFO Pacific Region, Recreational fishing licence (abgerufen 13.10.2026)

Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Canada?

In freshwater you need the licence of the province or territory. Almost everywhere there are separate non-resident licences, often split between Canadians from other provinces and visitors from abroad. Provincial licences are not valid in national parks; there you need a Parks Canada licence.

Source: BC Freshwater Fishing Licence

How much is a fishing licence in Canada?

Examples: British Columbia freshwater, visitors from abroad (non-resident alien): 1 day CAD 22.86, 8 days CAD 57.14, year CAD 91.44 (licence year April 1 to March 31, retrieved Oct 13, 2026). BC tidal waters (DFO), non-residents, 2026/27 licence year, excluding GST: 1 day CAD 8.62, 3 days CAD 23.40, 5 days CAD 38.18, year CAD 124.41. Other provinces: see each agency's page.

Source: BC Recreational freshwater fishing licences

Official licence pages by state or region

Each state or region sells its own licence. These are the official agency pages.

• British Columbia (Süßwasser)Government of British Columbia, Freshwater FisheriesYes, for non-B.C. Canadians and for non-resident aliens: 1 day, 8 days or a year; from 16.
• British Columbia und Yukon (Gezeitengewässer)Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Pacific RegionYes, 1, 3 or 5 days or a year; required at any age (free under 16); keeping salmon needs a Salmon Conservation Stamp.
• AlbertaGovernment of Alberta (Verkauf über AlbertaRELM)
• SaskatchewanSaskatchewan Ministry of EnvironmentYes, a year, 3 days or 1 day for non-residents from 16, plus a habitat certificate.
• ManitobaGovernment of Manitoba, Fish and Wildlife (Manitoba e-Licensing)Yes, a separate non-resident licence; not valid in national parks.
• OntarioOntario Ministry of Natural ResourcesYes, for people from outside Canada: Outdoors Card plus licence (1 year, 3 years, 8 days); a 1-day licence needs no Outdoors Card.
• QuébecGouvernement du Québec (Faune)Yes, a year, 7, 3 or 1 day; Atlantic salmon needs its own licence; north of the 52nd parallel only with an outfitter.
• New BrunswickNew Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, Fish and WildlifeYes, non-resident licences, salmon with its own licence; on salmon rivers (Guide Required Waters) only with a guide.
• Nova ScotiaGovernment of Nova Scotia, Inland Fisheries DivisionYes, season or 1-day licence; salmon needs its own licence (season or 7 days), online only.
• Prince Edward IslandGovernment of Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and LabradorDepartment of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, Wildlife DivisionYes, a non-resident licence from vendors; on scheduled rivers only with a guide or resident relative, in Labrador north of 52 degrees only with an outfitter.
• YukonGovernment of Yukon, Department of EnvironmentYes, for Canadians and non-resident aliens: season, 6 days or 1 day.
• Northwest TerritoriesGovernment of the Northwest Territories, Environment and Climate ChangeYes, season, 3 days or 1 day for non-residents; Great Bear Lake needs an extra validation.
• NunavutGovernment of Nunavut, Department of EnvironmentYes, season or 3-day non-resident licence.
• Atlantik und Gezeitengewässer Ost (Region Maritimes)Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Maritimes Region

Next steps

• Where you can sea fish without a licence
• All countries at a glance
• Plan your fishing day, with packing list

Other countries