British Columbia requires that anyone--Canadian citizens and non-residents--over age 16 carry a freshwater or saltwater fishing license. If you plan to fish both environments, you'll need to get a license for each one. Canada's Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans issues and oversees saltwater fishing licenses, while BC's provincial Ministry of the Environment, Lands and Parks manages freshwater licenses. You can obtain either type through outfitters, sporting goods stores, resort operators, fishing guides, marinas and other local areas. You can buy a license for one day, eight days or for the year, depending on the length of your stay. Freshwater fishing licenses, officially called a Non-Tidal Angling License, is also available online at BC's government's website.
When you purchase a basic freshwater license, you'll see up to five boxes for Conservation Surcharge stamps. These stamps are designed to protect BC's threatened or endangered gamefish and ensure you don't exceed a daily quota assigned for particular species. You'll need Conservation Surcharge stamps if you plan to fish for the following species: steelhead trout, freshwater salmon, white sturgeon, Kootenay Lake rainbow trout, Shuswap Lake char and Shuswap Lake rainbow trout. The quotas also protect fish of certain sizes. You're required to measure each catch and throw back any fish that don't fit the size criteria. In addition, you must immediately record the number and size of all adult chinook salmon and lingcod that you catch on the back of a basic angling license. Conservation stamps aren't required if you catch-and-release everything you reel in.
Another freshwater conservation method in BC is to classify some rivers and streams and limit fishing to those who purchase an extra Classified Waters license. This tends to encompass the province's most productive and heavily fished waters. You can buy the supplementary Classified Waters License through your guide service or outfitter, if needed. If you're fishing without a guide, you can buy a Classified Waters License at local stores, resorts and hotels.
In British Columbia, it is illegal to fish in national and provincial parks with a basic license. A freshwater license is not valid; consult the park service if to see if special permits are available to fish park-protected waters.
You can only use a single fishing line, and the introduction of live fish or new species is prohibited because they can harm the ecosystem. Using barbed hooks to catch salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout is strictly prohibited. You are required to throw back salmon if you don't have a valid salmon conservation stamp on your license.
