Help
Below are the online help options are available for the Recreational Fishing Licence System. If you require additional assistance or general inquiries please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Help Sections
- General
- Forgot Your Password
- Login and Registration
- My Profile
- Public Independent Access Provider
- Obtaining a Licence
- Obtaining a Stamp for B.C. Tidal Waters Licences
- Licence Replacement / Reprint
- My Cart
- Printing Licences
- Logout
- Contact Us
General
- Requirements for obtaining a licence
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a printer and a valid credit card for fee payment. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free copy of can be downloaded at adobe.com.
Forgot Your Password
- Password Retrieval
You are required to enter your email address used in your profile or a valid Licence number along with your birth date. You can only have your password emailed to you if you provided a valid mail address when you registered or during subsequent visits to this site.
Login and Registration
- New Fishers
The Fisheries Act requires that licence holders provide personal information such as legal name and address.
To obtain a licence through the Recreational Fishing Licence System you are required to register. If you are a new fisher and would like to register visit the Registration section.
If you are a new fisher and under the age of 18 you must have parental permission to use this site and be authorized to use a credit card for payment.
- Returning Fishers
If you have previously obtained a licence through the Recreational Fishing Licence System you are not required to re-register. Access to the system is available with the use of the email address used in your profile or a past Licence number along with your password. If you are an existing fisher and would like to login now visit the Login section or if you have fogotten your password, visit the Forgot your password? section.
- Licence Registration
Licence registration is required to access the Recreational Fishing Licence System. When completing the registration form, ensure all form fields marked with * have been entered and you have reviewed and agreed to the Terms and Conditions.
You must ensure that all information you provide to complete the licence application is correct and complete. Fishers providing false or misleading information in this licence application may be subject to prosecution under subsection 63(2) of the Fisheries Act.
If you are an existing fisher and would like to login now visit the Login section or if you have forgotten your password, visit the Forgot your password? section.
- Non-Resident Condition Acceptance for B.C. Tidal Waters Licences
A Non-Canadian Resident is defined as any individual who does not live in Canada. Non-Canadian Resident conditions apply to all licences obtained through the online Recreational Fishing Licence System.
These conditions state that no person who is not a Canadian resident may fish for or retain halibut under an electronic licence in management areas 23, 121, 123 as described on the Canada Gazette site at: http://publications.gc.ca/gazette/archives/p2/2007/2007-05-02/pdf/g2-14109.pdf. If you wish to fish for halibut in the above described area, you can purchase a paper licence from an independent access provider in Canada.
My Profile
- My Profile Overview
The My Profile page provides a summary of your profile information, current licences as well as links to obtain a licence or stamp, request a licence replacement, view your profile history and update your profile.
- Updating Your Profile
Your profile information can be updated at any time using the "Update My Profile" navigation item, however when doing so, it is important to ensure that, at minimum, all form fields marked with * are completed.
You must ensure that all information you provide to complete the licence application is correct and complete. Fishers providing false or misleading information in this licence application may be subject to prosecution under subsection 63(2) of the Fisheries Act.
- History of Site Activity
Using the "My Profile History" navigation item you can view a history of all activity you have performed through the Recreational Fishing Licence System.
Public Independent Access Provider
- Information
The Independent Access Provider system is a gateway for retailers to issue licences to customers at their place of business. The Independent Access Provider system is not for use by the general public.
- Logging In
The Independent Access Provider system requires your Independent Access Number in addition to a username and password to login to the system. In the event that you are unable to remember your access number, you can use the "Forgot your Access No. or Username" page to retrieve this information. In the event that you have forgotten your password, you can use the "Forgot your Password?" page to have the Recreational Fishing Licence System email your password to you.
Obtaining a Licence
- Obtaining a Licence
To obtain a licence, select a licence type, select a start date if required, followed by any licence stamps and click "Add licence and/or stamps" to complete your request. Additional licences and/or licence stamps can be obtained following the same process. A summary of your cart is listed below, click "Continue" to Step 2.
- My Cart Preview
The My Cart preview is a summary of the Licence(s) and/or Stamp(s) that you have selected. Items can be removed using the "X" button corresponding to the item you wish to delete.
Obtaining a Stamp for B.C. Tidal Waters Licences
- Obtaining a Stamp
To obtain a stamp, select one or more of the available optional Licence Stamps. A stamp applies to all valid B.C. Tidal Waters licences for a fishing season. A summary of your cart is listed below, click "Continue" to Step 2.
- My Cart Preview
The My Cart preview is a summary of the Licence(s) and/or Stamp(s) that you have selected. Items can be removed using the "X" button corresponding to the item you wish to delete.
Licence Replacement / Reprint
- Obtaining a Licence Replacement
Only licences with remaining reprints can be replaced. Please note that you may only hold a single valid licence at one time. Please select the licence to be replaced by clicking on the "Print" button beside the appropriate licence number in the list below.
- Requirements for Reprinting your Licence
To reprint your licence you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader and a printer. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free copy of can be downloaded at adobe.com.
- Reprinting Instructions
The Recreational Fishing Licence System uses an automated system to print your licence. Your system print window will display shortly after arriving on the reprint page, depending upon the speed of your internet connection, please wait for your browser to respond. Once your system print window displays, select the printer you wish to use and click "OK". Once your licence has been reprinted, please ensure your licence has printed successfully.
My Cart
- My Cart Preview
The My Cart preview is a summary of the Licence(s) and/or Stamp(s) that you have selected. Items can be removed using the "X" button corresponding to the item you wish to delete.
- Confirm Transaction
The Confirm Transaction page gives you the ability to review your Profile Summary and Cart to ensure your Profile, Licences and Stamps are correct prior to purchase. You can proceed to payment by using the "Proceed to Payment" button.
- Payment Instructions
For payment of Licences and/or Stamps you will be sent to a secure payment site (Moneris) where you will be required to enter your contact information and credit card details. Once you have completed payment you will be redirected back to the Recreational Fishing Licence System.
Printing Licences
- Requirements for Printing your Licence
To print your licence you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader and a printer.
- Printing your Licence
When you proceed by click a "Print" button, you will be taken to a page with instructions on printing the selected licence. Once the licence has successfully printed, click on the "Finished" link under the licence, to end your session.
- Printing Instructions
The Recreational Fishing Licence System uses an automated system to print your licence. Your system print window will display shortly after arriving on the print page, depending upon the speed of your internet connection, please wait for your browser to respond. Once your system print window displays, select the printer you wish to use and click "OK". Once your licence has been reprinted, please ensure your licence has printed successfully.
Logout
- Logging Out
By clicking on the "Logout" navigation item you are logged out of the National Recreational Licensing system and any session or cookie data that was created during your session is destroyed.
Contact Us
- Contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Pacific Region Licensing Inquiries: 1-877-535-7307
8:00-4:00 P.M. Monday – Friday - Pacific Time
E-mail: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.caTo contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada please visit the Contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada section to find a means of communication that best suits your needs or see our complete list of Pacific Region office locations for additional contact information.