Provincial or territorial service · Environment and outdoors
Buy a fishing licence
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
Provinces and territories sell recreational fishing licences for fresh water. In British Columbia's tidal waters and some other fisheries, the federal government issues the licence.
Who handles it
Each province and territory runs its own. Find yours in the table below.
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
In every province and territory
Who handles it in each province and territory, with the official link.
| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Government of British Columbia (WILD licensing system) | Freshwater fishing licencechecked | This covers fresh water only; tidal (saltwater) fishing licences come from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. |
| Alberta | AlbertaRELM and licence issuers (Government of Alberta) | Fishing licences and feeschecked | You need a Wildlife Identification Number (WiN) first; buy online at AlbertaRELM or from a private licence issuer. |
| Saskatchewan | Ministry of Environment (HAL licence system) | Buy an angling licencechecked | Saskatchewan residents 65 and older do not need an angling licence. |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures (Manitoba eLicensing) | About Manitoba eLicensingchecked | |
| Ontario | Ministry of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service) | Buy a fishing licencechecked | Ontario residents under 18 or 65 and over can fish without a licence by carrying government ID. |
| Quebec | Government of Québec wildlife ministry (Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs) | Buy a licence onlinechecked | |
| New Brunswick | Department of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife) | Angling licenceschecked | You need a free Outdoors Card number before buying a licence. |
| Nova Scotia | Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Government of Nova Scotia) | Buy a general fishing licencechecked | Needed for fresh water only; salmon needs a separate licence, and you can also buy from a licence vendor. |
| Prince Edward Island | Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division (Government of PEI) | None on record | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Wildlife Division, Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands | Inland fishing licence ruleschecked | Buy from licence vendors such as sporting goods shops; residents need a licence only for salmon in scheduled inland waters. |
| Yukon | Department of Environment (Government of Yukon) | None on record | Buy online, at a Department of Environment office, or from a local vendor. |
| Northwest Territories | Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) | Get a fishing licencechecked | Buy online through NWT eServices or from a licence vendor. |
| Nunavut | Department of Environment (Government of Nunavut) | Sport fishing licence formchecked | Inuit harvesting under the Nunavut Agreement do not need a licence. |
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Buy a fishing licence", checked 12 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence