🎯 Which Licence Do I Need?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you exactly which fishing licence you need.
Question 1 of 5
Where do you plan to fish?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Sport and Conservation fishing licence?
Ontario offers two licence tiers: the Sport licence ($26.57 for residents) allows higher daily catch and possession limits, while the Conservation licence ($15.07) has reduced limits — typically about half. Conservation licences are ideal for casual anglers who keep fewer fish. Other provinces use different naming conventions.
Do I need a licence for saltwater fishing in Canada?
Tidal (saltwater) fishing is regulated by the federal government through DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). In British Columbia, you need a Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence — separate from the provincial freshwater licence. On the Atlantic coast, many provinces don't require a licence for saltwater fishing, but specific rules apply. See our federal vs. provincial guide for details.
Can Americans fish in Canada without a licence?
No — all visitors, including Americans, need a non-resident fishing licence for the province they're fishing in. Non-resident licences are available online in most provinces and can often be purchased for 1 day, 8 days, or a full year. See our guide for Americans for step-by-step instructions.
📅 Data last verified: March 2026. Licence types and requirements sourced from official provincial Fish & Wildlife agencies.