| Licence | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual adult | $25.86 | $124.41 |
| 5-day adult | $19.70 | $38.18 |
| 3-day adult | $13.54 | $23.40 |
| 1-day adult | $6.46 | $8.62 |
| Juvenile under 16 | Free | Free |
| Salmon Conservation Stamp | $7.39 | $7.39 |
Quick Answer: BC Saltwater Uses a DFO Tidal Licence
For saltwater, ocean, harbour, shellfish, and tidal-water fishing in British Columbia, you need a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This is separate from the provincial freshwater licence sold through WILD.
For 2026-27, the adult annual tidal licence is $25.86 for Canadian residents and $124.41 for non-residents before GST. Short-term 1-day, 3-day, and 5-day licences are also available. Add the $7.39 Salmon Conservation Stamp if you plan to retain salmon.
Freshwater and Tidal Are Different Systems
BC freshwater licences are provincial products connected to WILD and your FWID. Tidal licences are federal products connected to DFO and the National Recreational Licensing System.
If your trip includes both a freshwater river and ocean fishing, plan for both systems. The BC fishing licence page is the province setup hub; this page is only for the tidal and saltwater side.
2026-27 Tidal Licence Fees
Annual tidal licences run from April 1 to March 31. Prices do not include GST.
When the Salmon Stamp Matters
The Salmon Conservation Stamp is needed when you want to retain salmon in BC tidal waters. If you are fishing for salmon but will release every salmon, the stamp is not the same decision as the base tidal licence.
Catch-record rules can also matter for chinook, halibut, and lingcod in specified areas. If your trip includes retention, carry the version of the licence that lets you record the catch immediately.
What This Page Owns in the BC Cluster
This page is the BC saltwater and tidal route. It owns tidal fees, the DFO buying path, the salmon stamp, and the short-term licence choices that visitor searches often need first.
The BC non-resident guide owns the broader visitor comparison across freshwater and tidal. The BC province page keeps the full split between WILD freshwater setup and DFO tidal setup.
How to Buy the Tidal Licence
Most anglers buy through DFO's National Recreational Licensing System before leaving for the water. Save the licence to your phone and print a copy if you may need to record retained catch.
Non-Canadian residents must use an Independent Access Provider in Canada for some situations listed by DFO, including the halibut exception already noted on the BC province page.