Quick Answer — You Can Replace It in Minutes
If you bought your licence online, you already have a replacement — log into the same portal where you purchased it and re-download the PDF. Takes 2 minutes, costs nothing.
If you bought a paper licence at a store, contact the provincial licensing authority (details below). Most can look you up by name and date of birth and reissue within 24 hours. Cost: $0–$8.57 depending on province.
BC's WILD system: As of April 1, 2026, BC freshwater anglers use a Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) in WILD. For most basic freshwater products, FWID plus photo ID is the main proof, but conservation surcharge stamps and products with retention records can still require a paper or digital copy. See the BC section below.
The critical thing to know: you are legally required to have proof of licensing while fishing in every Canadian province. "I have one at home" is not a legal defence. Deal with this before your next trip, not at the lake — because fishing without proof means fines of $100–$1,495 depending on province.
Online Purchase — The 2-Minute Fix
If you purchased online (most licences sold after 2020 are electronic), this is the easiest scenario:
Step 1: Open the website where you originally purchased. Each province has its own portal — see the province-by-province section for direct links.
Step 2: Log in with the same email/account you used to purchase.
Step 3: Navigate to "My Licences," "Transaction History," or "Licence Summary."
Step 4: Click "Reprint," "Download PDF," or "View Summary." Save to your phone AND email it to yourself as backup.
Cost: Free. You can reprint unlimited times from most provincial portals.
Important — digital format rules vary by province: Ontario officially accepts only the PDF format from the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service — a photo or screenshot is NOT officially accepted. Alberta requires the AlbertaRELM app as the sole method for electronic licence storage. In BC, FWID plus photo ID is the main proof for most basic freshwater products, while conservation surcharge stamps and retention records can still require a copy. Always carry the official format to avoid issues with conservation officers.
Store Purchase — What to Do When There's No Digital Copy
Paper licences bought at Canadian Tire, bait shops, or outfitters are trickier because the store typically doesn't keep a record of your specific licence:
Option 1 — Return to the same store: Some vendors can look up your purchase using your name and date of birth. This depends on the store's record-keeping system and varies widely — big-box stores (Canadian Tire, Bass Pro) are more likely to have records than small bait shops.
Option 2 — Contact the provincial licensing authority: They have centralized records of all licences issued, regardless of where you bought. You'll need your name, date of birth, and ideally your licence number (check old emails, credit card statements, or photos). Most can reissue within 24 hours, some immediately by phone. See province contacts below.
Option 3 — Use the official portal again: If your trip is tomorrow and the replacement process will take days, the fastest solution may be to use the official portal directory and replace or repurchase through your province. Yes, it can cost money again, but it is usually cheaper than even the minimum fine ($100 in Alberta, $200 in Ontario, $345 in BC).
Critical: Do NOT fish while waiting for a replacement. "I have one at home" or "I'm waiting for a reprint" is not a legal defence in any province. A conservation officer may still require the accepted proof for your province, licence type, stamp, or retention record.
Province-by-Province Replacement Guide — Direct Links & Phone Numbers
Ontario: Log into the Fish & Wildlife Licensing Service → "My Licences" → reprint. Licence summaries can be downloaded as PDF. Lost Outdoors Card replacement: $8.57 + HST (not a separate $10 fee as commonly misquoted). Order online, by phone (1-800-288-1155), or at a ServiceOntario location. The physical replacement card takes up to 20 business days by mail — in the meantime, your Licence Summary serves as temporary proof. Digital format: Ontario officially accepts the PDF from the licensing service on your mobile device. Screenshots and photos are NOT officially accepted — always carry the actual PDF. You're responsible for ensuring your device has battery to display it. Note: Ontario's licensing system will transition to a new platform in early 2027.
British Columbia (before April 1, 2026): fishing.gov.bc.ca → log in → reprint. Free. For tidal licences: DFO NRLS portal.
British Columbia (after April 1, 2026 — WILD system): For most basic freshwater products, your FWID number + personal photo ID is the main proof. You may still need a paper or digital copy for Conservation Surcharge Stamps (Salmon, Steelhead) and any product that needs a retention record. Log into wild.gov.bc.ca to view or reprint available documents, or use FrontCounter BC, Service BC, or a participating vendor if the online path is not working. See our BC WILD System Guide for details.
Alberta: Log into My Wild Alberta → reprint. Free. If purchased at a vendor, call Alberta Fish and Wildlife: 1-877-944-0313. Digital format: The AlbertaRELM app is the sole official method for storing and displaying electronic licences in Alberta. Conservation officers will accept the AlbertaRELM app or a paper licence — but NOT a screenshot, photo, or generic PDF viewer. Download the app, link your WiN Card, and all your licences are always available.
Saskatchewan: HAL system → log in → reprint. Electronic licences are stored permanently. For vendor-purchased licences, call 1-800-567-4224.
Quebec: Contact the Quebec licensing office or visit any authorized agent. Online purchases through the Mon dossier portal can be reprinted.
New Brunswick: NB requires a free NB Outdoors Card before any licence. Contact NB Natural Resources. Phone: 506-453-2440.
Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, PEI, Manitoba: Contact the provincial fish and wildlife office. They can look up your licence by name and date of birth and reissue within 24 hours. Phone numbers are linked from our official portal directory.
Territories (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut): Contact the territorial Environment department. Yukon: 867-667-5652. NWT: 867-767-9237.
Digital Licence Rules — What Each Province Actually Accepts in 2026
This is one of the most commonly confused topics in Canadian fishing. Rules vary significantly:
Ontario: ✅ PDF from Fish & Wildlife Licensing Service on mobile device. ❌ Photo, screenshot, or scan. You must use the official PDF. Ensure your phone is charged and the file is accessible offline (download it, don't just bookmark it). Your responsibility to have a working display.
British Columbia (WILD system): FWID + photo ID is the main proof for most basic freshwater products. Carry the required paper or digital copy for Conservation Surcharge Stamps and products with retention records.
Alberta: ✅ AlbertaRELM app only. ❌ PDF, photo, screenshot, or any other format. The AlbertaRELM app is the sole official electronic method. Download from App Store / Google Play, link to your WiN Card, all licences auto-populate.
Saskatchewan: ✅ Electronic copy from HAL system accepted. Print or display on device.
Federal (DFO Tidal): ✅ Electronic copies accepted. Can be linked to the FishingBC app for tidal waters. COs will accept digital display.
Other provinces: Rules vary. When in doubt, carry a printed copy AND a digital copy. A $1 laminated printout in your tackle box eliminates all ambiguity. This is the safest approach for any province without clear digital acceptance rules.
Pro tip for all provinces: Email the PDF to yourself (subject line: "2026 Fishing Licence"). It's always searchable in your email even without saving the file. Plus it proves the purchase date if there's ever a question.
Already at the Lake? Emergency Action Plan
You just arrived at the lake and realized your licence is missing. Here's the exact protocol:
If you have cell service (2-5 minutes): Log into the provincial portal on your phone -> reprint/download the PDF -> save it. You now have a valid digital copy. In Alberta, open the AlbertaRELM app if you have it set up. In BC, confirm the product in WILD and keep the required copy if you hold a conservation surcharge stamp or retention-record product.
If you DON'T have cell service: Two legal options only: (1) Drive to where you have service and retrieve your licence digitally. (2) Don't fish. There is no third option. Do not fish and hope for the best.
What a conservation officer sees: Officers don't know whether you have a valid licence sitting at home or never bought one at all. To them, you're fishing without a licence until you produce one. The fine is the same either way — $200 in Ontario, $345–$1,495 in BC, $100 in Alberta (plus gear seizure risk in all provinces).
If a CO approaches while you're unlicensed: Be honest. "I realized I don't have my licence on me and I've stopped fishing" works strongly in your favour. Officers have discretion — honesty and visible compliance (rod not in water, gear packed up) demonstrates good faith. If you can pull up the purchase confirmation email or bank statement on your phone showing you did buy a licence, show it. It's not proof but it's evidence of good faith.
Real scenario that helps: If you have a previous year's licence, fishing receipts, or any evidence that you're a regular licensed angler, mention it. COs distinguish between anglers who forgot their licence and people who never bought one. The former is a mistake; the latter is poaching.
Lost Outdoors Card (Ontario-Specific)
The Ontario Outdoors Card is a separate document from your fishing tag, and losing it creates a unique problem: without the Outdoors Card, your fishing tag is also invalid — even if the tag hasn't expired. This is the most common Ontario-specific trap.
Replacement cost: $8.57 + HST (same as a new card). This is a flat fee for buying, renewing, OR replacing.
How to replace: Online at huntandfishontario.com, by phone (1-800-288-1155), at a licence issuer, or at a participating ServiceOntario location.
What you need: Legal name, date of birth, mailing address, height, and eye colour. Payment: VISA, VISA Debit, MasterCard, or Debit MasterCard.
Timeline: The physical replacement card takes up to 20 business days by mail. While waiting, your Licence Summary (printable from the portal) serves as temporary proof of purchase and is legally accepted.
Critical: If your Outdoors Card is expired (not just lost), you need to renew it — not just replace it. An expired card invalidates all associated fishing tags. Renewal window opens the first Tuesday of December annually. See our Conservation vs Sport Licence guide for more on the Ontario system.
3-year Outdoors Card advantage: The Outdoors Card is valid for 3 calendar years ($8.57 total, not per year). A 3-year fishing licence paired with a 3-year Outdoors Card means only one renewal cycle every 3 years — fewer chances to lose documents and fewer chances to accidentally fish with expired credentials.
5 Steps to Never Lose Your Licence Again
1. Always buy online. Online licences are permanently stored in provincial systems and can be reprinted unlimited times. Paper-only licences from vendors are one-and-done — lose it and you're going through the replacement process. In 2026, every province offers online purchase except for a few very remote locations.
2. Save to 3 places: (a) Phone files/downloads folder. (b) Email — send it to yourself with a searchable subject line. (c) Printed copy in your tackle box. You'd have to lose your phone, email access, AND tackle box simultaneously to be without proof.
3. Use the official app or portal where available: Alberta's AlbertaRELM app stores your licences. BC's WILD system keeps freshwater products tied to your FWID. Ontario's Fish & Wildlife Licensing Service website stores your licence summary. These accounts make reprinting or checking status much easier.
4. Laminate the paper copy. A $3 self-laminating pouch from the dollar store protects against water, fish slime, and tackle box chaos. Keep it in the same pocket of your tackle box every trip — make it a ritual.
5. Photo backup with location tag: Take a photo of your licence and save it to a "Fishing" album on your phone. Even if the PDF is buried in downloads, the photo is instantly accessible. Note: this is a backup reference only — Ontario and Alberta do not officially accept photos as proof. It's evidence of good faith, not legal compliance.