BC Fishing Licence — The 3-Minute Guide
Published March 20, 2026 · 4 min read · Outdoor Adventures BC
You need a BC freshwater fishing licence to fish on any of our charters. Here's exactly what to buy, where, and how long it takes.
Who needs one
Everyone 16 years and older. Kids under 16 fish for free.
Where to buy
Online at the Province of BC's fishing licence portal: gov.bc.ca/FreshwaterFishing. Takes about 3 minutes. Print the confirmation or save it to your phone.
Which licence
- 1-day licence: $10 (BC resident) / $20 (non-resident) — for a single charter
- 8-day licence: $20 / $50 — if you're here on vacation
- Annual licence: $36 / $80 — if you'll fish more than twice this year
Optional add-ons
If you plan to keep salmon, you'll also need a Salmon Conservation Stamp ($6.42). We'll tell you when it applies based on your target species.
Common mistakes
- Buying a tidal licence by accident. Okanagan is freshwater. Make sure you're on the freshwater portal.
- Wrong date. The licence activates on the start date you choose. Pick your charter day.
- Forgetting to print it. Conservation officers do check. Save a screenshot at minimum.
Having trouble?
Give us a call — we've walked dozens of first-time visitors through it. 250-902-8323.
Ready to put this into practice? Book a Kelowna fishing charter with Outdoor Adventures BC — we'll rig it all for you.