Frequently Asked Questions

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1  Information about the National Recreational Licensing System

1.1  What is the National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS)?

The National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS) is an online system that allows recreational fishers to obtain a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing (TWSF) licence, Salmon Conservation Stamp and/or Yukon Salmon Conservation Catch Card from any location with an Internet connection and printer.

For those who are uncomfortable accessing the system on their own, a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence and stamp can be obtained through an Independent Access Provider (IAP).

List of participating Independent Access Providers

1.2  What is an Independent Access Provider?

An Independent Access Provider is a retail outlet, charter, lodge, or marina that can help you obtain a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence and salmon stamp. Independent Access Providers can not currently issue Yukon Salmon Conservation Catch Cards.

List of current service locations

Contact your Independent Access Provider prior to departure to confirm hours, location and the availability of licences.

1.3  What are the benefits of purchasing a licence, stamp, or catch card online?

NRLS allows fishers to obtain a licence, stamp, or catch card 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any location with a computer, Internet and a printer. Licence holders are also able to reprint a lost licence from home.

In addition, the online system allows DFO to improve the collection of information about the recreational fishery and will facilitate the development of catch reporting tools.

1.4  What is an electronically issued licence? Are the traditional waterproof paper licences still available?

An electronically issued licence is a licence issued by the Government of Canada through the National Recreational Licensing System, and replaces the traditional waterproof paper format.

Licences are now issued online, and are printed out by the individual or Independent Access Provider (for B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences). In the event of an unplanned system outage or where there is limited Internet connectivity, an Independent Access Provider may be able to issue an emergency B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence.

1.5  Who can use the National Recreational Licensing System?

Anyone from anywhere in the world can buy a fishing licence on our website. However, non-residents purchasing a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence are prohibited from fishing for Pacific halibut in Areas 23, 121 and 123, unless they purchase a licence from an authorized Independent Access Provider in Canada.

Licences can be purchased for others (e.g. as a gift) provided you have permission from the licence holder-to-be, a valid payment method and all mandatory information for registration (full name, date of birth, address, eye colour, and height).

If the B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence is being obtained through an Independent Access Provider, the Independent Access Provider may charge a usage/service fee.

2  How to use the National Recreational Licensing System

2.1  What do I need to use the National Recreational Licensing System?

• A computer connected to the Internet.
• A recent version of one of the following web browsers:
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Safari
• A valid payment method to pay for the fee associated with your licence and/or Salmon Conservation Stamp. Some prepaid credit cards can be accepted; the number must be embossed, and there must be an expiry date.
• A printer to print the B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence, Yukon Salmon Conservation Catch Card and/or Salmon Conservation Stamp. The printer must be loaded with letter-sized paper. Printing the licence in colour is not mandatory; you may print electronically issued licences using a black-and-white printer.
• Optional: Adobe Reader to print PDF licences documents consistently. Other PDF viewers can be used but may cause formatting errors. If you do not already have Adobe Reader, or you need to upgrade to a later version, you can download a free copy.

2.2  How do I create an online account?

You will need to go to the Sport Fishing website, click on "Register Now", and complete all mandatory fields. While registering, ensure you do not hit the BACK button as your data may be lost and issuance of a Tidal Waters Sport Fishing, Yukon Salmon Conservation Catch Card and Salmon Conservation Stamp may be interrupted.

2.3  I used the "Register Now" feature and tried to create an online account but the system says "Our records indicate you already have an account," why do I see this message and how do I access my account?

If you purchased a licence through the online system in the past or if you previously purchased a licence from an Independent Access Provider, an account would have been created for you.

The system will check to see if you have a complete profile. If your profile is complete, use the "forgot password" feature and a temporary password will be emailed to you. If your profile is incomplete, for security reasons, the system will advise you to contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada to update your personal information prior to accessing your account.

2.4  Does each fisher need to set-up their own online account to obtain a licence in NRLS?

Yes. To obtain a licence online, each adult and senior fisher needs to have an account on the National Recreational Licence System. You may use the same email address, but will need a unique password for each account.

Only dependent accounts for juveniles (fishers under 16 years) can be created under one adult guardian profile.

Licences can be purchased for others (e.g. as a gift) provided you have permission from the licence holder-to-be, a valid payment method and all mandatory information for registration of an account (full name, date of birth, address, eye colour, and height).

2.5  Are juveniles required to have an online account to obtain a licence?

Yes. Though juvenile registration continues to be free, it is a requirement for any recreational fisher under the age of 16.

To obtain a licence for your child if you have an existing adult account, log into your account, select “Manage Dependents” in the menu and then select “Create New Dependent”. This will create a dependent account within your adult account.

To obtain a licence for your child if you do not have an account, create a new account for them by selecting “Register” on the login page.

2.6  Will my BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence or Yukon Salmon Conservation Card be mailed and emailed to me?

No. Fisheries and Oceans Canada does not send licences or catch cards by mail or email. Your licence or catch card is obtained through the National Recreational Licensing System. You will be able to obtain a copy in the final step of purchasing a licence or by selecting the Re-Print option after the purchase is complete. Please refer to Section 4 Printing Help for steps.

3  Fees

3.1  Will there be a fee to use the National Recreational Licensing System portal?

There is no additional fee involved with purchasing a licence via the National Recreational Licensing System. Licence holders may buy a licence, print a licence or reprint a lost licence from home without a fee.

However, there may be a usage fee if you purchase a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence through an Independent Access Provider to assist with computer maintenance, printing and internet costs.

3.2  How do I seek a refund for a licence that I accidentally ordered twice, registered incorrectly, or that does not provide my correct information?

Please note that Fisheries and Oceans Canada does not issue refunds and does not correct fishing dates for Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licences, Yukon Salmon Conservation Catch Cards and Salmon Conservation Stamps, so please ensure your licence selection is correct before you complete your transaction.

You can change your contact information through the system by clicking "Update Profile".

If there is an error in the financial transaction such as a double payment charged to your credit card, please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada by calling 1-877-535-7307, weekdays 8:00am – 4:00pm, or emailing fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

3.3  What payment method can I use?

Payment methods currently accepted included:

• Credit cards
• Credit debit cards
• Embossed (raised numbers) pre-paid credit cards that bare an expiry date. If you experience any difficulties with a pre-paid card, you should contact the card issuer for advice and direction.

Payment methods NOT accepted:

• Interac Online
• Google and Apple Pay
• Un-embossed (flat surface) cards

3.4  How to pay

1. Enter the Cardholder Name, Credit Card Number, Expiry Date and CVV in the appropriate spaces. Do not include special characters or spaces. Then click the button "Checkout".
2. A receipt will be email to the email address listed on your account.

4  Printing Help

4.1  How do I reprint my licence?

Log into the National Recreational Licensing System

If on a computer:

1. On the left hand side menu select Reprint a Licence or Catch Card
2. Select Print beside the licence you wish to re-print
3. Select the reason from the drop-down menu
4. Print or save a copy of the licence or catch card

If on a phone or tablet:

1. Select the menu/magnifying glass in the top right corner of the page
2. Select the National Recreational Licensing System, the menu should expand
3. Select Reprint a Licence or Catch Card
4. Select Print beside the licence you wish to re-print
5. Select the reason from the drop-down menu
6. Print or save a copy of the licence or catch card

Please note that each licence contains a unique encrypted licence identification and scanning code so that Fishery Officers can confirm the recreational fisher holding the licence is the same individual to whom it was issued. Should the recreational fisher need to print off another copy due to losing the original, the National Recreational Licensing System will automatically generate the reprint date on the licence along with the version number.

4.2  Which pages of the licence am I required to print?

The BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence is now comprised of multiple pages, all pages of the licence must be attached for a valid licence; all pages contain required information either to inform the fisher of, or to fulfill legal requirements per their fishing activities and catch recording. You may either print double sided or print separate pages and attach the pages together.

Ensure to read BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence and Yukon Salmon Conservation Catch Card carefully to determine how many pages the licence document is comprised of.

4.3  I’ve paid for my licence, but now my printer doesn't work. What can I do?

Please go to a location with a functioning printer and reprint your electronically issued licence by selecting "Reprint Licence or Catch Card".

Alternatively, you can follow the steps in 4.1 to re-print your licence and save a copy to your device to be emailed to a location with a functioning printer.

4.4  Is the online receipt I printed the same as my licence?

Your receipt and your licence are different. After your payment has been processed, the page will display a prompt to print your licence. You will need to click the "print" button to print your licence. If you exited the system before printing your licence, you will need to log back into National Recreational Licensing System, and select "Licence Replacement/Reprint".

5  Compliance and Troubleshooting

5.1  I can’t remember the email address I used/my previous licence number/my password. How do I retrieve this? Can I change my information after I’ve been issued a licence?

If you forgot or need to update your email address, click "forgot your email" and fill out the form with your first and last name, birth date and the telephone number you have registered. Then you will need to answer three secret questions that you have set up in order to receive your password. Enter an alternate email address and a temporary password will be emailed to you. If you did not set up your three secret questions, you will not be able to retrieve your email address through this process. Please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada to update your information before you can access your account.

You can retrieve your password from the website by clicking "forgot my password" and providing your email address and date of birth. Your password will be emailed to you. Be sure to enter your date of birth in this format DD/MM/YYYY, or use the calendar icon and select your date of birth.

You can update your account information by logging into your profile with your previously issued electronic licence number or the previous email address used during the initial registration process. Once you are logged in, click the “update profile” button. If you change your contact information after purchasing a licence, the updated contact information will not print on any replacement licences.

5.2  The information on my licence is incorrect, what do I do?

You can change your contact information through the system by clicking "Update Profile" if you purchased your licence online or if you need assistance you can go back to the Independent Access Provider where you purchased your licence (for Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licences).

If there is an error in your personal information (e.g. your name, date of birth, gender, height or eye colour), please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada to assist you in updating both your personal information and your licence by calling 1-877-535-7307 weekdays 8:00am-4:00pm, or by sending an email to fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

5.3  What should I do if I can't purchase/issue a licence electronically because the online licensing system is out of service?

Whenever you encounter an issue that prevents you from accessing the licensing system, contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada by calling 1-877-535-7307, weekdays 8:00am – 4:00pm, or by emailing fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Please plan ahead and get your licence online in advance. To avoid delays, the best time to access the National Recreational Licensing System is outside of peak periods. Peak periods are every day from 12-3pm; every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; and anytime there is a major fishery opening, such as the Fraser River Sockeye opening.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada aims to provide continuous online service; however planned and unplanned outages may occasionally occur. Once you have logged into the National Recreational Licensing System, you will see on the notification and details of any scheduled outages that will affect the site on the main page.

As a backup option in the event system outages or limited internet connectivity, Independent Access Providers have the ability to manually issue a B.C Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence. A list of current service locations may be found at https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/iap-fai-eng.html. It is recommended that you contact the applicable Independent Access Provider to confirm the availability of licences prior to departure.

In the event of an unplanned system outage outside of government business hours, you can report the outage by email to fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

5.4  I’m concerned about my privacy. What is Fisheries and Oceans Canada doing to protect my information? Can I trust the National Recreational Licensing System?

Fisheries and Oceans Canada staff and Independent Access Providers are committed to protecting your privacy. To ensure this protection, all departmental employees and software systems are required to adhere to the strict privacy legislation and policies. Privacy statements are available at: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/notices-avis-eng.htm and https://recfish-pechesportive.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/tc-mc-eng.cfm.

The National Recreational Licensing System contains system controls to ensure that Independent Access Providers may only access your file when requested by you. Prior to accessing your licence profile or creating a record, the provider will need personal details that only you can provide such as email address, date of birth, previous licence numbers, etc.