Do You Need a Fishing Licence in Canada? A Province-by-Province Guide
Yes. In most of Canada, adults need a fishing licence to fish recreationally, but there is no single national licence. Freshwater sport fishing licences are issued by each province and territory, each with its own age exemptions. Saltwater (tidal) fishing in British Columbia needs a separate federal licence from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and national parks need their own Parks Canada permit. Before every trip, check the rules for the exact place you'll be fishing.
This guide gives you a starting point for each province and territory. It doesn't list prices, which change from year to year. Age exemptions appear only where we confirmed them on an official government page. It is general information, not legal advice.
Licences by province and territory
| Province / territory | Who issues it | What we verified |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Government of Ontario | Ages 18 to 64 need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence (sport or conservation). Ontario and Canadian residents under 18 or 65 and older don't buy one, but must carry government ID showing name and date of birth. |
| Quebec | Gouvernement du Québec | A licence is mandatory except in specific cases. Carry it with government-issued photo ID. Children under 18 may fish under a parent's licence under certain conditions. |
| British Columbia | Province of B.C. (freshwater); Fisheries and Oceans Canada (tidal waters) | Freshwater and tidal licences are separate. Every recreational fisher in B.C. tidal waters needs a federal licence, including those under 16. Retaining salmon also requires a salmon conservation stamp. |
| Alberta | Government of Alberta | Not required for those under 16, Alberta residents 65 and older, or holders of a Certificate of Indian Status. Buying a licence requires a Wildlife Identification Number (WIN). |
| Saskatchewan | Government of Saskatchewan | Not required for anglers under 16 or Saskatchewan residents 65 and older with proof of age and residency. Anglers 16 to 64 also need a Fisheries Habitat Certificate. |
| Manitoba | Government of Manitoba | A licence is required unless you're exempt or fishing in a federal park. Manitoba-resident seniors, active military members and veterans are exempt but must show proof. |
| New Brunswick | Government of New Brunswick | Check the provincial fish and wildlife pages for current requirements. |
| Nova Scotia | Government of Nova Scotia | A General Fishing Licence covers freshwater species except salmon, which needs a separate licence. You don't need a licence if you're 15 or younger. |
| Prince Edward Island | Government of Prince Edward Island | Check the provincial angling pages for current requirements. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (inland licences); see the Anglers' Guide licence annex | Residents don't need an inland licence for trout but do need one for salmon. Non-residents need a trout licence in non-scheduled inland waters. No licence is required to angle for salmon and trout in coastal waters. |
| Yukon | Government of Yukon | Check the Yukon fishing pages. National parks need a Parks Canada permit. |
| Northwest Territories | Government of the Northwest Territories | A sport fishing licence is required unless you're under 16 or over 65. Annual licences expire on March 31. |
| Nunavut | Government of Nunavut | Check the territorial sport fishing guide for who needs a licence. |
Where a row has no age details, it's because we couldn't confirm them on an official page. Look them up rather than assume they match a neighbouring province. Some licences also carry stamps, tags or catch cards for particular species, so read the regulations summary for your area, not just the licence page.
Indigenous rights
Several provinces note that First Nations, Métis and Inuit harvesters exercising established rights may follow different rules. Alberta and Ontario both mention this on their licence pages. Respect Indigenous lands and any community rules when you fish there.
Saltwater fishing: B.C. versus Atlantic Canada
On the Pacific coast the rule is clear: you need a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence from DFO, bought through the National Recreational Licensing System. This applies to juveniles under 16 as well. A provincial freshwater licence doesn't cover salt water, and a tidal licence doesn't cover lakes and streams.
In Atlantic Canada, rules depend more on the species. For example, DFO's Maritimes Region lists no licence requirement for recreational mackerel, but shark anglers need a DFO licence. In Newfoundland and Labrador, angling for salmon and trout in coastal waters doesn't require a licence. Seasons, gear limits and possession limits still apply even when no licence is needed. Salmon rules are especially strict across the East Coast.
National parks need their own permit
Provincial licences don't apply inside national parks. Parks Canada says on its Banff fishing page that a national park fishing permit is required when angling in national parks and that provincial licences are not valid. Anyone under 16 needs a permit unless they're accompanied by a permit holder aged 16 or older, in which case their catch counts toward that person's daily limit. Each park has its own seasons and closures, so check the park's page before you go.
Free fishing weekends
Some provinces hold licence-free fishing days or weekends to encourage families to try the sport. Ontario runs free family fishing periods when you don't need a licence, but conservation limits and all other fishing regulations still apply. Quebec's Fête de la pêche lets residents fish without a licence, and any salmon caught must be released. Dates and conditions change, so confirm them on your province's site. Outside those days, the normal licence rules apply.
Ice fishing
Ice fishing isn't a separate category: you need the same valid licence you'd use in open water. Ontario's ice fishing page says you need a valid sport or conservation licence. Ice huts must be registered in certain Fisheries Management Zones and removed by set dates. Other provinces have their own shelter and removal rules.
Safety comes first. Ontario's guidance notes that clear blue ice is the strongest and that white or opaque ice is much weaker. Check thickness often with a spud bar or auger, and tell someone where you're going. Read our ice thickness and safety guide before heading out. If you fish from a canoe or kayak in open-water season, our paddling safety equipment guide covers what you must carry.
Before you cast: a checklist
- Confirm which province or territory, and which waters (fresh, tidal or national park), you'll be fishing.
- Buy the right licence from the official issuer, plus any required card, stamp, certificate or WIN.
- Check age exemptions on the official page, and carry ID if you're relying on one.
- Read the current regulations summary for seasons, limits, sanctuaries and gear rules in your zone.
- For ice fishing, check hut registration and removal dates, and test the ice yourself.
- Carry your licence (paper or digital, where accepted) every time you fish.
You'll find rods, tackle, augers and ice fishing gear in our Fishing & Ice Fishing department, and the catalogue is still growing. Questions about an order? Visit our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a national fishing licence in Canada?
No. Freshwater sport fishing licences are issued by each province and territory. Tidal fishing in British Columbia needs a separate federal licence from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and national parks need a Parks Canada permit.
Do kids need a fishing licence in Ontario?
Ontario and Canadian residents under 18 do not need to buy an Outdoors Card or licence, but they must carry government ID showing their name and date of birth while fishing.
Do I need a licence to fish in salt water in BC?
Yes. All recreational fishers in BC tidal waters, including juveniles under 16, need a BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence from DFO. A salmon conservation stamp is also needed to keep salmon.
Can I use my provincial licence in a national park?
No. Parks Canada says a national park fishing permit is required when angling in national parks and provincial licences are not valid there.
Do I need a fishing licence to go ice fishing?
Yes. Ice fishing needs the same valid licence as open-water fishing, and some provinces also require ice hut registration in certain zones and removal by set dates.