---
title: "Buy a fishing licence"
url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence"
description: "Buy a fishing licence in Canada: run by each province and territory. Who handles it in all 13 provinces and territories. Checked 12 October 2026."
site: "Canada Service Map"
author: "Mahmoud Halat"
publisher: "Space & Story"
lastReviewed: "2026-10-12"
licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data."
---
# Buy a fishing licence

Provincial or territorial service · Environment and outdoors

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 12 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

## 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.

Each province and territory runs its own. Find yours in the table below.

## 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](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/british-columbia) | Government of British Columbia (WILD licensing system) | [Freshwater fishing licence](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing/recreational-freshwater-fishing-licence), checked 12 October 2026 | This covers fresh water only; tidal (saltwater) fishing licences come from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. |
| [Alberta](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/alberta) | AlbertaRELM and licence issuers (Government of Alberta) | [Fishing licences and fees](https://mywildalberta.ca/buy-licences/fishing-licenses-fees/default.aspx), checked 12 October 2026 | You need a Wildlife Identification Number (WiN) first; buy online at AlbertaRELM or from a private licence issuer. |
| [Saskatchewan](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/saskatchewan) | Ministry of Environment (HAL licence system) | [Buy an angling licence](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/parks-culture-heritage-and-sport/hunting-trapping-and-angling/angling/buy-an-angling-licence), checked 12 October 2026 | Saskatchewan residents 65 and older do not need an angling licence. |
| [Manitoba](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/manitoba) | Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures (Manitoba eLicensing) | [About Manitoba eLicensing](https://www.gov.mb.ca/elicensing/index.html), checked 12 October 2026 |  |
| [Ontario](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/ontario) | Ministry of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service) | [Buy a fishing licence](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 12 October 2026 | Ontario residents under 18 or 65 and over can fish without a licence by carrying government ID. |
| [Quebec](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/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 online](https://www.quebec.ca/en/tourism-recreation-sport/sporting-and-outdoor-activities/my-hunting-fishing-account), checked 12 October 2026 |  |
| [New Brunswick](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/new-brunswick) | Department of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife) | [Angling licences](https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/erd/fish-and-wildlife/content/e-Licensing/AvailableAnglingLicences.html), checked 12 October 2026 | You need a free Outdoors Card number before buying a licence. |
| [Nova Scotia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/nova-scotia) | Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Government of Nova Scotia) | [Buy a general fishing licence](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-general-fishing-licence-sportfishing), checked 12 October 2026 | Needed for fresh water only; salmon needs a separate licence, and you can also buy from a licence vendor. |
| [Prince Edward Island](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/prince-edward-island) | Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division (Government of PEI) | None on record |  |
| [Newfoundland and Labrador](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/newfoundland-and-labrador) | Wildlife Division, Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands | [Inland fishing licence rules](https://www.nfl.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/en/anglers-guide-2026-2027-annexes-annex-2-licence-information), checked 12 October 2026 | Buy from licence vendors such as sporting goods shops; residents need a licence only for salmon in scheduled inland waters. |
| [Yukon](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/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](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/northwest-territories) | Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) | [Get a fishing licence](https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/get-fishing-licence), checked 12 October 2026 | Buy online through NWT eServices or from a licence vendor. |
| [Nunavut](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/nunavut) | Department of Environment (Government of Nunavut) | [Sport fishing licence form](https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/forms/303-fishing-licence), checked 12 October 2026 | Inuit harvesting under the Nunavut Agreement do not need a licence. |

## More

- [Visit or camp in a national park](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/national-parks)
- [Boating: operator card and pleasure craft licence](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/boating-licence)
- [Register a drone and get a drone pilot certificate](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/drone)
- [Weather forecasts and alerts](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/weather-alerts)
- [Buy a hunting licence](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/hunting-licence)
- [Reserve a campsite in a provincial or territorial park](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/provincial-park-camping)

## Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Buy a fishing licence", checked 12 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence