| Licence | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual adult (16-64) | $25.86 | $124.41 |
| Annual senior (65+) | $13.54 | $124.41 |
| 5-day adult (16+) | $19.70 | $38.18 |
| 3-day adult (16+) | $13.54 | $23.40 |
| 1-day adult (16+) | $6.46 | $8.62 |
| Annual juvenile (under 16) | Free | Free |
| Salmon Conservation Stamp | $7.39 | $7.39 |
BC Saltwater Fishing Uses the DFO Tidal Licence
For ocean, harbour, shellfish, and tidal-water fishing in British Columbia, the licence path is DFO's B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. In plain trip-planning terms, this is the BC saltwater fishing licence. It is separate from the provincial freshwater licence sold through WILD.
All ages need the tidal licence. Juveniles under 16 can get the licence free, but it is still a licence choice to make before fishing. For 2026-27, the adult annual tidal licence is $25.86 for Canadian residents and $124.41 for non-residents before GST. Short-term 1-day, 3-day, and 5-day licences are also available. Add the $7.39 Salmon Conservation Stamp if you plan to retain salmon.
Freshwater and Tidal Are Different Systems
BC freshwater licences are provincial products connected to WILD and your FWID. Tidal licences are federal products connected to DFO and the National Recreational Licensing System.
For a mixed river-and-ocean trip, start with the BC province overview before buying. For inland freshwater only, check the BC freshwater WILD and FWID guide. For coastal saltwater, shellfish, harbour, or tidal salmon questions, continue with the DFO tidal path here.
2026-27 Tidal Licence Fees
Annual tidal licences run from April 1 to March 31. Prices do not include GST.
When the Salmon Stamp Matters
The Salmon Conservation Stamp is needed when you want to retain salmon in BC tidal waters. If you are fishing for salmon but will release every salmon, the stamp is not the same decision as the base tidal licence.
DFO requires you to keep the licence in your possession while fishing or transporting catch and to produce it with all catch records if an officer asks. Record immediately and permanently on the printed licence all retained chinook and halibut caught in any Management Area, plus retained lingcod caught in Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14), Subareas 20-5 to 20-7, and 29-5. If mobile internet is available, you can record the catch in the National Recreational Licensing System or FishingBC catch log instead. Keep every licence page attached and available for inspection. Adult licence holders must also complete their assigned iREC report by the deadline shown on the licence, even if they did not fish or retain anything; juvenile licence holders do not complete an independent iREC report.
Port Hardy Charter and Half-Day Saltwater Trips
For a Port Hardy charter, half-day saltwater trip, or other coastal boat trip, start with the B.C. tidal waters licence path. A 1-day tidal licence can fit a single charter day when you are only fishing that day.
Ask the charter operator whether salmon retention is part of the plan before checkout. Add the Salmon Conservation Stamp if you plan to keep salmon in tidal waters; a release-only salmon trip is a different stamp decision from a salmon-retention trip.
If the DFO portal will not open, start again from the official portal links or DFO licence page, try a fresh browser window, then contact DFO support or ask the charter operator which purchase path they expect before the trip.
When the DFO Tidal Path Fits
For B.C. saltwater and tidal trips, the main details are DFO buying steps, tidal fees, the Salmon Conservation Stamp, juvenile tidal licences, and short-term choices for coastal water.
If the trip is inland freshwater, check the BC freshwater licence guide. If visitor price, child rules, or mixed freshwater and tidal choices are the main issue, check the BC non-resident guide. The BC province page keeps the full province overview in one place.
How to Buy the Tidal Licence
Most anglers can buy through DFO's National Recreational Licensing System before leaving for the water. Save the licence to your phone or print every page; if you retain a species that needs a catch record, use the printed licence or record immediately through the NRLS or FishingBC catch log when mobile internet is available.
DFO also allows an electronic PDF licence from NRLS, and you may optionally link NRLS to the FishingBC app. The app is voluntary and does not replace buying the tidal licence in NRLS. If you are outside cell range, use the paper licence to record catch immediately.
Non-Canadian residents fishing for halibut in Areas 23, 121, and 123 may only purchase their licence from an Independent Access Provider in Canada. Check the area and species rules before the trip.
Check the Licence Before Checkout
DFO says tidal licences are not transferable and refunds are not issued for purchased licences. Confirm the licence type, fishing year, residency category, and any stamp before completing the transaction.
If a tidal licence is lost, damaged, or stolen, NRLS or an Independent Access Provider can reprint it. Catch records must be transferred to the replacement, and you cannot hold more than one valid licence.