British Columbia fishing licence 2026-27: WILD freshwater, DFO tidal, FWID setup, resident and visitor prices, and salmon stamp rules.
British Columbia starts with the water type. Freshwater trips use WILD and a free FWID; tidal or saltwater trips use DFO. For 2026-27, annual freshwater is $41.15 for B.C. residents, $62.87 for Canadian non-residents, and $91.44 for non-Canadians before tax. Annual adult tidal is $25.86 for Canadian residents and $124.41 for DFO non-residents before GST.
British Columbia starts with the water type. Freshwater trips use WILD and a free FWID; tidal or saltwater trips use DFO's B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. For 2026-27, annual freshwater is $41.15 for B.C. residents, $62.87 for Canadian non-residents, and $91.44 for non-Canadians before tax. Annual adult tidal is $25.86 for Canadian residents and $124.41 for DFO non-residents before GST. A mixed river-and-ocean trip can need both systems.
British Columbia fishing licence planning usually starts with three choices: freshwater or tidal saltwater, resident or non-resident pricing, and the right online portal. Freshwater licensing runs through the provincial WILD platform and requires an FWID. Tidal and saltwater fishing runs through DFO and uses its own prices, rules, and salmon stamp. For the 2026-27 season, old Angler Numbers have retired, so returning anglers who have not registered need an FWID before buying freshwater products.
Visiting from another province or country? Non-residents often face different pricing tiers and extra steps. Check the non-resident fishing licence guide before purchasing your British Columbia licence.
Most mistakes happen before checkout, when the province is right but the residency, water type, date, or trip length is not.
These province-specific rules are worth checking before you compare prices or visit the buying portal.
Most freshwater anglers need the right B.C. freshwater licence in WILD; tidal or saltwater fishing uses the separate DFO path.
Use WILD and an FWID for freshwater products, and use DFO for tidal licences and tidal salmon stamps.
For most basic freshwater products from April 1, 2026, carry FWID and photo ID; keep a recordable copy for products that require catch recording.
B.C. freshwater licensing moves to WILD for the 2026-27 season, and older Angler Numbers retire after March 31, 2026.
Current prices for British Columbia fishing licences (April 1 - March 31).
| Licence Type | Resident | Canadian non-resident | Non-Canadian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Freshwater | $41.15 CAD | $62.87 CAD | $91.44 CAD |
| 8-Day Freshwater | $22.86 CAD | $41.15 CAD | $57.14 CAD |
| 1-Day Freshwater | $11.43 CAD | $22.86 CAD | $22.86 CAD |
| Annual Tidal (DFO, age 16-64) | $25.86 CAD | $25.86 CAD | $124.41 CAD |
| 5-Day Tidal (DFO) | $19.70 CAD | $19.70 CAD | $38.18 CAD |
| 3-Day Tidal (DFO) | $13.54 CAD | $13.54 CAD | $23.40 CAD |
| 1-Day Tidal (DFO) | $6.46 CAD | $6.46 CAD | $8.62 CAD |
| Tidal Salmon Conservation Stamp | $7.39 CAD | $7.39 CAD | $7.39 CAD |
Freshwater and tidal prices shown here are before tax. Freshwater rows use the B.C. resident, Canadian non-resident, and non-Canadian categories. DFO tidal rows use Canadian resident and DFO non-resident pricing. B.C. residents aged 65 or older can buy the annual freshwater basic licence for $5.71. Residents approved under the fee reduction program can buy the annual freshwater basic licence for $1.14. Non-tidal salmon retention, steelhead fishing, white sturgeon fishing, and Classified Waters can require additional provincial products.
In British Columbia, annual fishing licences usually follow the province's published licence period rather than a rolling 365-day term. If you are buying late in the season, confirm the current licence dates, salmon-season rules, or short-term options before you pay.
Catch limits, seasons, and size restrictions can vary by waterbody. Read the current Province of British Columbia rules before you fish.
View British Columbia RegulationsCost: $0.00 | Validity: Permanent | Angler Numbers retire after March 31, 2026 and are not converted to FWIDs.
B.C. residents under 16 do not need a freshwater licence or stamp and may keep their own quota. Non-residents under 16 may fish without a freshwater licence only when accompanied by a properly licensed adult, and any fish kept count toward that adult's quota unless the child buys a licence.
B.C. residents aged 65 or older can buy the annual freshwater basic licence for $5.71. Tidal fees and any required salmon stamps are separate.
Freshwater licences for the 2026-27 season are sold in WILD. You need a free Fish and Wildlife ID before you can buy. Angler Numbers retire after March 31, 2026 and are not converted into FWIDs.
B.C. splits freshwater and tidal fishing into separate systems. Freshwater licences are provincial products in WILD. Tidal licences are federal products sold through DFO's National Recreational Licensing System.
Depending on where and what you fish for, you may also need a non-tidal salmon conservation stamp, a steelhead stamp, a White Sturgeon Conservation Licence, a Classified Waters Licence, or a tidal salmon conservation stamp.
Starting April 1, 2026, your FWID and photo ID are the main proof for most basic freshwater licences. If you have a conservation surcharge product with a retention record, you still need the copy that lets you record your catch.
Start with the broad B.C. licence split: whether the water is freshwater or tidal, which portal applies, which visitor price category fits, and whether a salmon stamp or specialty product might be involved.
Freshwater trips use WILD and an FWID. Saltwater, harbour, shellfish, ocean, and tidal-water trips use DFO. If the trip is only coastal or tidal, check the BC tidal fishing licence guide. If visitor price or child rules are the main issue, check the BC non-resident fishing licence guide.
Start with the whole British Columbia setup when the trip still needs 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 step.
| Question or situation | What to check next | Why |
|---|---|---|
| BC fishing licence cost, fees, short-term price, or salmon-stamp budget | BC fishing licence cost guide | Good for freshwater prices, tidal prices, visitor totals, senior price, salmon stamps, and mixed-trip budget checks. |
| BC freshwater licence, WILD, FWID, Angler Number, renewal, or proof; wild fishing license | BC WILD and FWID guide, then the BC freshwater licence guide | Check the tool when account setup or FWID is the blocker; check the guide for the broader freshwater licence decision. |
| BC tidal, saltwater, ocean, harbour, shellfish, or DFO licence | BC tidal fishing licence guide | Good for the federal DFO path, tidal fees, juvenile tidal licence, salmon stamp, and catch-record context. |
| BC non-resident, American visitor, visitor child rule, or mixed freshwater and tidal trip | BC non-resident guide | Good for Canadian non-resident versus non-Canadian choices, visitor prices, child catch-count rules, and short-trip visitor paths. |
| Official portal after the BC system is clear | official portal links | Check after you know whether WILD, DFO, or both systems are involved. |
| Compare BC with another province before deciding | cost by province or non-resident guide | Helpful if the trip is not definitely British Columbia yet. |
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.
A common B.C. mistake is assuming one licence covers everything. It does not.
If your trip includes both river and ocean fishing, plan for two separate purchases. Check 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.
Some B.C. trips need more than the base licence.
For visitors, start by deciding whether the trip is freshwater, tidal, or both. That split decides whether WILD, DFO, or both systems are involved.
Start by deciding whether you are fishing freshwater, tidal saltwater, or both. Freshwater trips use the provincial WILD system and an FWID. Tidal or saltwater trips use the federal DFO system. Visitors should also check the non-resident price tier before buying.
Yes for freshwater products. An FWID is the free Fish and Wildlife ID used in WILD, the provincial freshwater licensing system. It is permanent and linked to your online profile. Tidal licences are separate and use the federal DFO system.
Yes. Freshwater and tidal fishing are separate systems in British Columbia. Freshwater products are sold by the province, while tidal products are sold by DFO.
For the 2026-27 season, the annual freshwater basic licence is $41.15 for residents, $62.87 for Canadian non-residents, and $91.44 for non-Canadians before tax.
For freshwater, the annual basic licence is $62.87 for Canadian non-residents and $91.44 for non-Canadians before tax. Tidal-water prices are separate through DFO.
The 2026-27 annual adult DFO tidal licence is $25.86 for Canadian residents and $124.41 for DFO non-residents before GST. For saltwater, harbour, shellfish, salmon stamp, or catch-record details, check the BC tidal fishing licence guide.
B.C. residents under 16 do not need a freshwater licence or stamp and may keep their own quota. Non-residents under 16 may fish without a licence only when accompanied by a properly licensed adult, and the catch counts toward that adult unless the child buys a licence.
Yes. B.C. residents aged 65 or older can buy the annual freshwater basic licence for $5.71.
Yes. Non-Canadians can register for an FWID and buy freshwater products in WILD, and they can buy most tidal products through the federal licensing system. The main exception is halibut fishing in Areas 121, 23 and 123, where non-Canadian residents must buy the tidal licence from an Independent Access Provider in Canada.
No. Saltwater and tidal fishing use the federal DFO tidal licence. Freshwater fishing uses the provincial WILD system and an FWID.
For most basic freshwater products, FWID plus photo ID is the main proof from April 1, 2026 onward. If you hold a product that requires a retention record, keep the version that lets you record your catch.
Angler Numbers retire after March 31, 2026. They are not converted into FWIDs, so anglers who do not already have an FWID need to register for one.