Ontario · Environment and outdoors
Buy a fishing licence in Ontario
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
In Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service) handles it. Ontario residents under 18 or 65 and over can fish without a licence by carrying government ID.
Who handles it
Ministry of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service)
Handles it in Ontario.
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
Who can apply
You count as an Ontario resident if your main home is in Ontario and you lived here for at least 6 months in a row in the 12 months before you apply.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
If you are 18 to 64, you need a valid Outdoors Card, which lasts 3 calendar years, and a fishing licence for 1 or 3 calendar years. Choose a sport licence for normal catch limits or a conservation licence for reduced limits.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Ontario and Canadian residents under 18 or 65 and older do not need to buy a card or licence. Their government ID with name and date of birth acts as the licence.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
What you need
You need your first and last name, date of birth, mailing and home address with postal code, and your height and eye colour.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
How long it takes
The plastic Outdoors Card arrives by mail in about 20 days. You can fish right away using the licence summary you get when you buy.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Where to go
Buy online with Visa or Mastercard, at a participating ServiceOntario location or licence issuer, or renew an Outdoors Card and 3-year licence by phone at 1-800-288-1155.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Good to know
Fishing licences run by calendar year. A 1-year licence ends on December 31 no matter when you bought it.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members who live in Ontario can fish free by carrying their Forces ID card instead of an Outdoors Card and licence.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Questions people ask
Do seniors need a fishing licence in Ontario?
No. Ontario and Canadian residents 65 and older can fish without buying a licence, but must carry government ID showing their name and date of birth.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Can I buy an Ontario fishing licence online?
Yes. Pay with Visa or Mastercard, then save your Licence Summary on your phone or print it. You can fish right away with it.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Can I fish for one day without an Outdoors Card in Ontario?
Yes. For a single day you only need a 1-day sport fishing licence, with no Outdoors Card.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Are there free fishing days in Ontario?
Yes. Residents of Canada get four licence-free periods a year, including Family Fishing Weekend in February and Ontario Family Fishing Week in early July. Carry ID and follow conservation limits.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
In every province and territory
The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. Ontario is marked.
| 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 | |
| OntarioThis page | 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 in Ontario", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/ontario