--- title: "Buy a fishing licence in Ontario" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/ontario" description: "Buy a fishing licence in Ontario: handled by Ministry of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service). Compare all 13 provinces and territories." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" 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 in Ontario Ontario · Environment and outdoors Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## 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)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/the-government-of-ontario). Handles it in Ontario. ## Official links - [Buy a fishing licence](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 12 October 2026 - [Fishing in Ontario](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing), checked 12 October 2026 ## 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. - 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. - 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary/recreational-fishing-licences-and-fees), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary/recreational-fishing-licences-and-fees), checked 13 October 2026. - 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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](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 (this page) | 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. | ## 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. ### 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. ### 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-and-canadian-residents), checked 13 October 2026. ### 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.ca](https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary/recreational-fishing-licences-and-fees), checked 13 October 2026. ## More - [Buy a fishing licence in every province and territory](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence) - [Public services in Ontario](https://canadaservicemap.ca/provinces/ontario) - [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 in Ontario", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/fishing-licence/ontario