| Cost question | Short answer | Where to go next |
|---|---|---|
| BC freshwater annual, 8-day, 1-day, or senior price | Start with the freshwater table below, then check WILD and FWID setup before buying. | BC freshwater WILD and FWID guide |
| BC tidal, saltwater, ocean, shellfish, or DFO licence fee | Start with the tidal table below when the water is coastal or tidal, then follow the DFO path. | BC tidal fishing licence guide |
| BC non-resident, American visitor, child, or mixed-trip cost | Visitor price depends on freshwater versus tidal water and whether the trip needs both systems. | BC non-resident guide |
| Salmon stamp, Classified Waters, steelhead, sturgeon, or extra product cost | The basic licence line may not be the full budget when a species or waterbody adds a product. | Salmon licence guide |
| Need the final portal after the price is clear | Check the official buying links only after you know whether the trip is WILD, DFO, or both. | Official portal links |
| Still comparing BC with Ontario, Alberta, or another province | The national cost page is better when the destination is not settled yet. | Cost by province |
BC Cost Depends On Freshwater Or Tidal Water
For the 2026-27 B.C. freshwater licence year, the annual basic freshwater licence is $41.15 for B.C. residents, $62.87 for Canadian non-residents, and $91.44 for non-Canadians before tax.
For B.C. tidal or saltwater fishing, the federal DFO annual adult licence is $25.86 for Canadian residents and $124.41 for non-residents before GST. Add the $7.39 Salmon Conservation Stamp if you plan to retain salmon in tidal water.
Those are separate systems. Freshwater uses WILD and an FWID. Tidal, saltwater, ocean, harbour, shellfish, and many coastal trips use DFO. If the trip includes both river and ocean fishing, budget for two purchases. For the account and buying path, start with the British Columbia fishing licence page. If you need to buy a freshwater licence in person, the province also lists official licence vendors.
Choose The BC Cost Question First
Start here for price. For account setup, water type, visitor status, or final checkout, move to the matching page for that next step.
2026-27 BC Freshwater Licence Fees
| Freshwater product | B.C. resident | Canadian non-resident | Non-Canadian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual basic | $41.15 | $62.87 | $91.44 |
| 8-day | $22.86 | $41.15 | $57.14 |
| 1-day | $11.43 | $22.86 | $22.86 |
| Resident senior annual basic | $5.71 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Freshwater prices are before tax. The FWID itself is free and permanent, but freshwater licences are bought and managed in WILD; while fishing, B.C. says you must carry your FWID and photo ID. Products that require a conservation surcharge or retention record also need the required unmodified licence copy.
A basic freshwater licence is not always the final cost. Non-tidal salmon retention, steelhead, white sturgeon, and Classified Waters can add provincial products depending on the water and species.
Check the water, residency category, licence year, and any extra stamp before paying. B.C. says freshwater licences are generally non-refundable and non-transferable, including when a licence is unused, incorrect, or duplicated, subject to limited policy exceptions.
2026-27 BC Tidal Licence Fees
| Tidal product | Canadian resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual adult (16-64) | $25.86 | $124.41 |
| Annual senior (65+) | $13.54 | $124.41 |
| Juvenile annual (under 16) | Free | Free |
| 5-day adult (16+) | $19.70 | $38.18 |
| 3-day adult (16+) | $13.54 | $23.40 |
| 1-day adult (16+) | $6.46 | $8.62 |
| Salmon Conservation Stamp | $7.39 | $7.39 |
Tidal prices are before GST. Annual tidal licences run from April 1 to March 31, so a late-season purchase does not create a fresh 12-month term.
DFO still requires a tidal licence for every age group. The 2026-27 table lists a free juvenile licence under 16, while the annual senior rate is $13.54 for Canadian residents and the non-resident fee applies to non-resident seniors.
Check the BC tidal fishing licence guide if the trip is coastal, saltwater, shellfish, harbour, or tidal river fishing.
Which Price Category Fits Your Trip
B.C. freshwater pricing separates B.C. residents, Canadian non-residents, and non-Canadians. A visitor from Alberta, Ontario, or Quebec is usually a Canadian non-resident for B.C. freshwater pricing, not a B.C. resident.
Tidal pricing uses DFO categories. The common price split is Canadian resident versus non-resident, and the tidal licence path is separate from WILD.
For visitor status, child rules, short-trip choices, or mixed freshwater and tidal trips, check the BC non-resident fishing licence guide.
Freshwater, Tidal, Or Both
The cheapest answer can be wrong if it points to the wrong system. Lakes, rivers, streams, and other non-tidal waters use the provincial freshwater licence. Ocean, saltwater, harbours, shellfish, and tidal waters use the federal tidal licence.
A trip that starts on an inland lake and later moves to the coast may need both. A salmon trip can also need a stamp, and the stamp depends on whether the salmon is tidal or non-tidal.
For the full province setup, start with the British Columbia fishing licence page. For WILD, FWID, freshwater proof, or the 2026 freshwater change, use the BC freshwater fishing licence guide.
How To Avoid Paying Twice For The Wrong Thing
Before checkout, write down the waterbody and decide whether it is freshwater or tidal. Then choose the residency category, trip length, and any stamp or specialty product.
For freshwater, set up or find your FWID in WILD before buying. For tidal water, use DFO and save a copy that works offline on the water.
Do not treat a basic annual price as the whole budget when the trip involves salmon retention, Classified Waters, white sturgeon, steelhead, halibut rules, a national park, or both river and ocean fishing. B.C. says freshwater licences are generally non-refundable and non-transferable, so read the current licence refund policy before checkout.