Separate licenses are required for saltwater and freshwater fishing. The Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans issue saltwater licenses and the provincial Ministry of the Environment, Lands and Parks issues freshwater licenses.

Both types of licenses can be purchased at sporting goods stores, marinas, department stores, through government agents' and from many local resort operators or guides.

All anglers, except those under 16, must purchase and carry a valid angling licence. Non-residents under 16 do not require a licence but must be accompanied by a person who has the appropriate licences and stamps. You may purchase one-day, eight-day, or annual licences depending upon the amount of fishing you plan to do.

Provincial angling licences are not valid in National Parks. You must obtain a National Park Fishing Permit Regulations before fishing park waters.Special fishing licences are required in National Parks.

The front of the basic licence contains boxes for up to five Conservation Surcharge stamps which include Steelhead, Non-Tidal Salmon, Kootenay Lake Rainbow Trout, Shuswap Lake Char, and Shuswap Lake Rainbow Trout.

For most game fish, there is a quota on the number of fish you may keep. The daily quota is the maximum number of fish you may keep in one day, while the possession quota is no more than twice the daily quota. Please note quotas are not cumulative. Limits protect fish of certain sizes. To ensure you are within the limits, measure your fish from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail.

It is prohibited to use more than one fishing line, except when you are along in a boat on a lake, when you may use two lines. Do not use live fish as it introduces harmful species into local lakes and can ruin natural fish habitat.

To get your catch home you must keep your angling licence handy while travelling, transport no more than your legal limit and ensure your fish can be identified, counted and measured if necessary, by keeping heads and tails on.

It is essential that anglers obtain a current copy of the BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide, and/or the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before embarking on a fishing trip. These guides outline fishing guidelines, closures, quotas, possession limits and gear restrictions.

Useful Links
The BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide is also available on the internet directly from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.