Wondering how to get a Canadian fishing license and what the price is? Get all the details in this article.
Guide To Fishing License Fees in Canada
As with most countries, you need a license to fish in Canada. Your options and their cost depend on whether you’re non-Canadian, Canadian or an Ontario resident.
Which option is right for you is largely dependant on how you plan on fishing and for how long.
There is a general rule, that to fish and hunt in Canada, you must acquire an Outdoors Card, which can be done in several ways (more on that later). However, if you’re planning on doing a 1-day fishing trip, you don’t need one (as long as you purchase a 1-day sport fishing license).
Below, we’ve divided the various fees and options into the three respective categories for you to review. These particular rates are the official ones as of 2022. We’ll continue to update the tables as prices change in the future.
Fishing License Fees for Non-Canadian Residents 2022
The below fees include a harmonized sales tax.
| Products | Non-Canadian Residents |
|---|---|
| Outdoors Card | $8.57 |
| 3-Year Sport Fishing Licence | $249.57 |
| 3-Year Conservation Fishing Licence | $158.13 |
| 1-Year Sport Fishing Licence | $83.19 |
| 1-Year Conservation Fishing Licence | $52.71 |
| 1-Day Sport Fishing Licence (Outdoors Card not required with this license) | $24.86 |
| 8-Day Sport Fishing Licence | $54.38 |
| 8-Day Conservation Fishing Licence | $31.52 |
Before You Go Fishing…
If you’re fishing for 1 day only
You do not need to purchase an Outdoors Card. However, you need to purchase a one-day sport fishing license and you should always carry government-issued ID with you.
If you’re fishing for 8 days
Alternatively, you can opt for an 8-day fishing license. There’s either the “Sport” version or the “Conversation” version. Sport gives you normal catch limits while Conservation gives you a reduced catch limit.
You’ll need to purchase your desired 8-day license online. Afterward, you can either save it on your smartphone or print it at home and bring it on your trip.
If you’re fishing for a longer time
In the case that you’re fishing for a longer duration, there are a different set of rules depending on your age.
If you’re 18 years or older, you’ll need a valid license before you can go fishing. This includes an Outdoors Card (which is a plastic ID that is valid for a 3-year period) and a fishing license. There are different options of varying length as shown in the table above.
If you’re below the age of 18, you do not need an Outdoors Card or a fishing license as long as you’re accompanied by an adult who has both. However, you must carry goverment-issued ID with you at all times.
Fishing License Fees for Canadian Residents (Outside Ontario) 2022
The below fees include a harmonized sales tax.
| Products | Canadian Residents |
|---|---|
| Outdoors Card | $8.57 |
| 3-Year Sport Fishing Licence | $167.43 |
| 3-Year Conservation Fishing Licence | $100.29 |
| 1-Year Sport Fishing Licence | $55.81 |
| 1-Year Conservation Fishing Licence | $33.43 |
| 1-Day Sport Fishing Licence (Outdoors Card not required with this license) | $15.71 |
| 8-Day Sport Fishing Licence | N/A |
| 8-Day Conservation Fishing Licence | N/A |
Before You Go Fishing…
If you’re fishing for 1 day only
If you’re between the age of 18 and 65 years old, you may fish for a single day without an Outdoors Card if you purchase a one-day sport fishing license.
If you do not fall into that age group (you’re younger or older) you’re free to fish without an Outdoors Card and fishing license as long as you carry identification issued by the government to prove your identity.
If you’re fishing for 8 days
Sadly, the 8-day fishing licenses are not available for Canadian residents. The reason being, they’d like Canadians to opt for a fishing license of a greater length and to get an Outdoors Card. However, if you’re above 65 or below 18 years of age, you’re free to fish when you carry a government-issued ID.
If you’re fishing for a longer time
If you’re between the age of 18 and 65, getting an Outdoors Card and a fishing license is required. You can either go for a 1-year or a 3-year fishing license. Each license duration comes in two different variations. One is called ‘sport’ and it gives you normal catch limits while the ‘conversation’ license gives you reduced catch limits.
Fishing License Fees for Ontario Residents 2022
The below fees include a harmonized sales tax.
| Products | Ontario Residents |
|---|---|
| Outdoors Card | $8.57 |
| 3-Year Sport Fishing Licence | $79.71 |
| 3-Year Conservation Fishing Licence | $45.21 |
| 1-Year Sport Fishing Licence | $26.57 |
| 1-Year Conservation Fishing Licence | $15.07 |
| 1-Day Sport Fishing Licence (Outdoors Card not required with this license) | $12.21 |
| 8-Day Sport Fishing Licence | N/A |
| 8-Day Conservation Fishing Licence | N/A |
Before You Go Fishing…
Please read the section above, as the same rules apply to Ontario residents and Canadian residents outside Ontario. The only variance is the pricing.
Where To Buy a Canadian Fishing License & Outdoors Card
An Outdoors Card can be purchased on huntandfishontario.com.
Fishing licenses are also available for purchase on the above website which helps keep things simple.
It is worth noting that prices have been rising with about 5% for non-Canadian and Canadian residents over the last few years. The Outdoors cards for Ontario residents remain the only ones unchanged in price.