BC Fishing Licence 2026: Freshwater, Tidal, FWID and Prices

BC licence questions are easy to mix up because the province uses separate systems. This province page works as the BC hub: WILD and FWID for freshwater, DFO for tidal or saltwater, and the price table for resident, Canadian non-resident, and non-Canadian categories.

For freshwater, FWID, proof, or the WILD buying path, open the BC freshwater fishing licence guide. For price, short-term fees, or trip budget, open the BC fishing licence cost guide. For saltwater, open the BC tidal fishing licence guide. For visitor prices, child rules, or trips that may need both systems, open the BC non-resident fishing licence guide. If you are still comparing provinces, start with the Canada non-resident licence guide first.

Start here when you need the whole British Columbia setup: freshwater versus tidal water, FWID, WILD, visitor category, stamps, proof, and the right portal. Once the question is narrower, choose the guide that matches the next decision.

The 2026-27 season moves B.C. freshwater licensing into WILD. Anglers can register for an FWID in WILD, buy freshwater licences there, and stop relying on the older Angler Number system.

• FWID: Free and permanent.
• Angler Numbers: Retire after March 31, 2026.
• Important detail: Angler Numbers are not converted into FWIDs, so returning anglers still need to register if they do not already have an FWID.

A common B.C. mistake is assuming one licence covers everything. It does not.

• Freshwater: Lakes, rivers, streams and other non-tidal waters use the provincial licence system in WILD.
• Tidal: Ocean, saltwater, harbours, shellfish, and tidal waters use the federal DFO licence.
• Salmon retention: Tidal salmon retention needs the federal salmon conservation stamp. Non-tidal salmon retention needs the provincial salmon conservation stamp.

If your trip includes both river and ocean fishing, plan for two separate purchases. Open the BC tidal fishing licence guide for saltwater fees and DFO steps, or the BC non-resident fishing licence guide if the visitor price or child-rule decision is the main question.

Proof rules change with the move to WILD. For most basic freshwater products, your FWID and photo ID are the main proof from April 1, 2026 onward.

• Basic freshwater, Classified Waters, White Sturgeon: FWID plus photo ID is the key proof.
• Retention record products: Keep the copy that lets you record your catch.
• Tidal fishing: Follow DFO licence and catch-record requirements, especially for chinook, halibut and other species that require immediate recording.

Some B.C. trips need more than the base licence.

• Classified Waters: Certain rivers require an extra Classified Waters Licence on top of the base freshwater licence.
• Steelhead and white sturgeon: Provincial specialty products apply in the right waters.
• Halibut in Areas 121, 23 and 123: Non-Canadian residents must buy the tidal licence from an Independent Access Provider in Canada rather than online.

For visitors, start by deciding whether the trip is freshwater, tidal, or both. That split decides whether WILD, DFO, or both systems are involved.