BC Fishing Licence for Visitors
How to buy a BC tidal waters fishing licence online, what it costs residents and non-residents in 2026/27, and the Area 13 rules for a Campbell River charter.
License Required - No Exceptions
Every person fishing in BC tidal waters MUST have a valid BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing License. This includes children under 16 years old โ their juvenile license is free, but they still need one. Licenses are checked by DFO officers on the water.
Fishing without a license = Heavy fines + confiscated catch + possible boat seizure
How to Get Your Fishing License
Purchase online before your charter. It takes 5-10 minutes and is valid immediately. Review our preparation guide and daily catch limits.
What to buy: Pacific licence with Salmon tag
For a charter with us, every person fishing needs the Pacific (BC tidal waters / saltwater) Sport Fishing Licence with the Salmon tag. The Salmon tag is the Salmon Conservation Stamp; add it at checkout so you can keep your salmon.
- Not a freshwater licence. That one only covers lakes and rivers.
- Kids under 16 get theirs free, but they still need their own licence.
- Buy it online before the trip; it can't be bought on the boat.
- Printed is easiest. Showing it on your phone is fine if you can log in to your licence account on the water.
Visit DFO Website
Go to the official Fisheries and Oceans Canada website to purchase your license online.
Buy License OnlineChoose Duration
Select annual license (April 1 - March 31) or short-term (1, 3, or 5 days). Add Salmon Conservation Stamp.
Print or Screenshot
Save your license confirmation. You'll need your license number on the water. Bring photo ID to verify.
Licence fees 2026/2027 (CAD)
| Licence | Canadian resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day | $6.46 | $8.62 |
| 3-day | $13.54 | $23.40 |
| 5-day | $19.70 | $38.18 |
| Annual (Apr 1 โ Mar 31) | $25.86 (65+: $13.54) | $124.41 |
| Juvenile (under 16) | Free, but each child still needs their own licence | |
| Salmon Conservation Stamp | $7.39, required to keep any salmon | |
DFO 2026/2027 fees, before GST. DFO sets new fees each April: confirm on the official DFO licence page.
Buying a licence as a visitor: step by step
If you don't live in Canada, you buy the non-resident B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) sells licences online through the National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS). We don't sell them, and you can't buy one on the boat. Every angler needs their own.
- Open the DFO online licensing site and create a free account (name, date of birth, address, email).
- Choose Tidal Waters Sport Fishing, your residency (Canadian resident or non-resident) and the length: 1, 3 or 5 days, or annual.
- Set the start date to your first fishing day. Short-term licences run on consecutive days.
- Add the Salmon Conservation Stamp ($7.39) if you want to keep a salmon.
- Pay by credit card. The licence is valid as soon as it's issued. Save the PDF to your phone or print it, because it must be in your possession while fishing.
Typical cost for a US visitor on a one-day charter: $8.62 licence + $7.39 stamp = $16.01 CAD before GST. Fishing three days in a row? The 3-day licence ($23.40) costs less than three 1-day licences ($25.86).
What's handled on the charter
- All rods, reels, tackle, bait and rain gear are included. You only bring the licence.
- Your guide knows the day's Area 13 limits and makes sure every fish kept is legal.
- Retained Chinook must be recorded on your licence right away. Your guide shows you how.
- We send the DFO link with your booking confirmation, so you can buy the licence before you arrive.
Coming from the US? See our guide for US visitors. Still choosing a date? See the month-by-month fishing calendar and charter rates, then book your trip.
Salmon Conservation Stamp REQUIRED
If you plan to keep ANY salmon, you MUST purchase a Salmon Conservation Stamp in addition to your basic fishing license. This includes all salmon species: Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum.
Stamp Requirements:
- Mandatory if you plan to retain (keep) any salmon
- Valid for same period as your license (annual or daily)
- Not required if you only plan to catch-and-release
Area 13 Regulations (Campbell River)
Campbell River is in Management Area 13. These are the key regulations you need to know.
Daily Catch Limits
Jul 15-Aug 31: 1/day (max 80cm). Sep 1-Mar 31: 2/day (no max). Min 62cm.
Non-retention Apr 1 โ May 31. Jun 1+: 2 hatchery-marked/day. Wild (unmarked) allowed Sep 1-30 only โ otherwise release. Min 30cm.
4 per day (big runs come in odd years)
4 per day
Maximum 4 salmon total per day (all species combined)
Size & Possession Limits
Chinook Size Limits
- Minimum: 62 cm (all open periods)
- Jul 15-Aug 31: Maximum 80 cm (slot limit)
- Sep 1-Mar 31: No maximum size limit
Possession Limits
You may possess up to 2 daily limits of salmon (8 total salmon) at home or in storage.
Example: If daily limit is 4 salmon, you can have 8 salmon in your freezer.
How to Measure Fish
Measure from tip of nose to fork of tail (NOT total length including tail fin).
Chinook Retention Dates (Seasonal)
Chinook retention dates change every year to protect spawning runs. Always check current regulations before your trip.
Current Retention Periods (Area 13):
- July 15 - Aug 31: OPEN - 1 Chinook/day, max 80cm, min 62cm
- Sept 1 - March 31: OPEN - 2 Chinook/day, no max size, min 62cm
- April 1 - July 14: CLOSED for conservation
IMPORTANT: Regulations change frequently. Always check the official DFO website for current Area 13 regulations before your trip.
Other Important Regulations
Additional rules you need to follow when fishing in Area 13.
Single Barbless Hooks
All hooks must be barbless (barb pinched down or filed off) when fishing for salmon. Makes catch-and-release easier.
License Valid April 1 - March 31
Annual licenses run April 1 to March 31, NOT calendar year. Check expiry date before fishing.
Rockfish Conservation
Some rockfish species are protected. If you catch one accidentally, release immediately. Know your species.
Must Have License On Water
Carry your license number and photo ID. DFO officers check licenses regularly on the water.
Youth License Is Free
Children under 16 years old still need a license, but the juvenile license is free. They must also follow all catch limits and regulations.
Head Must Remain On
Salmon heads must stay attached until you reach shore. This helps enforcement identify species and size.
Always Check Official Regulations
Fishing regulations change frequently. The information on this page is for general guidance only. Always verify current regulations on the official DFO website before your trip.
View Official DFO RegulationsYour captain will also ensure all regulations are followed during your charter.
Ready to Fish Campbell River?
Get your license, book your charter, and get ready for the fishing adventure of a lifetime in the Salmon Capital of the World.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a fishing license to fish in Campbell River?
Yes. Every person fishing in BC tidal waters must have a valid BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. This includes children under 16 years old, whose juvenile licence is free but still required. Fishing without a licence results in heavy fines, confiscated catch, and possible boat seizure.
What's the difference between a BC tidal water fishing licence and a freshwater licence?
Two separate licences. The BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence is federal (DFO) and covers all saltwater โ including Discovery Passage, the Strait of Georgia, and everywhere a charter boat fishes from Campbell River. The BC Freshwater Fishing Licence is provincial and only covers lakes, rivers, and streams. Charter guests in Campbell River only need the tidal licence.
How much does a BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence cost?
DFO 2026/2027 fees (CAD, plus GST). Non-residents: 1-day $8.62, 3-day $23.40, 5-day $38.18, annual $124.41. Canadian residents: 1-day $6.46, 3-day $13.54, 5-day $19.70, annual $25.86 (seniors 65+ $13.54). Add the Salmon Conservation Stamp ($7.39) to keep any salmon. Anglers under 16 get a free juvenile licence but still need one.
Can I buy a BC tidal fishing licence on the day of my charter?
Yes. The DFO online system issues your licence instantly โ most guests buy theirs the morning of the trip from the truck or even the dock. You only need an email and credit card. Bring your printed or screenshot confirmation; we'll need your licence number on the boat.
How do I buy a BC fishing license?
Purchase your license online at the official Fisheries and Oceans Canada website. Choose annual (April 1 - March 31) or short-term (1, 3, or 5 days). Add a Salmon Conservation Stamp if you plan to retain any salmon. The process takes 5-10 minutes and is valid immediately.
What is the Salmon Conservation Stamp and do I need it?
The Salmon Conservation Stamp is mandatory if you keep (retain) any salmon: Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink or Chum. It costs $7.39 for the 2026/2027 licence year, is valid for the same period as your licence, and is added at checkout. The tidal stamp is separate from the freshwater one; they are not interchangeable. You don't need it if you only catch and release.
Which licence do I need if I don't live in Canada?
Buy the non-resident B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. US and international visitors pay the non-resident rate: $8.62 for 1 day or $23.40 for 3 days, plus the $7.39 Salmon Conservation Stamp to keep salmon. You do not need a BC freshwater licence for a saltwater charter.
Does Fishing Storie Charters sell fishing licences?
No. Licences are sold by DFO (online through the National Recreational Licensing System) and licensed vendors, and each angler buys their own. We email you the DFO link before your trip, and all rods, tackle and bait are included on the boat. It takes about 5โ10 minutes per person.
My trip is in late March or early April. Which licence year do I need?
Annual licences run April 1 to March 31. If you fish on both sides of April 1, an annual licence bought in March expires on March 31. For a short visit, buy a 1-, 3- or 5-day licence that starts on your first fishing day instead.
What are the salmon limits in Campbell River (Area 13)?
Area 13 daily limits: Maximum 4 salmon total per day (all species combined). Chinook: non-retention (catch and release only) during the April 1 to July 14 conservation closure; outside the closure 1/day (Jul-Aug, max 80cm) or 2/day (Sep-Mar), min 62cm. Coho: non-retention Apr 1 โ May 31; hatchery Coho open June 1 (2/day, hatchery-marked only). One wild (unmarked) Coho is allowed within the 2/day during Sep 1-30 only โ from Oct 1 onward wild Coho is release-only. Pink: 4/day, Chum: 4/day within aggregate. Sockeye: Currently non-retention. Possession limit is 2 daily limits.
When can I keep Chinook salmon in Campbell River?
Chinook retention: Open July 15 - March 31, closed April 1 to July 14 (conservation). July 15 - Aug 31: 1/day, max 80cm, min 62cm. Sept 1 - March 31: 2/day, no max size, min 62cm. 2-day possession limit applies. Always check current DFO regulations before fishing.
Where can I find the Area 13 fishing regulations PDF?
DFO publishes Area 13 rules on its Area 13 web page and changes them through fishery notices during the season, so a saved PDF goes out of date. Check the official DFO page before each trip. Our Area 13 limits page is checked against DFO notices nightly.
Where can I find the BC fishing regs for 2026?
The most reliable source for BC fishing regulations in 2026 is the official Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) website at dfo-mpo.gc.ca, where updated sport fishing regulations for British Columbia are posted each year. Local tackle shops in Campbell River also carry printed regulation booklets when available. Regulations can change seasonally, so we always recommend checking the DFO site directly before your trip, especially for area-specific rules around chinook retention limits and closures in the Discovery Islands region. When in doubt, call our team at 250-202-8324 and we can point you in the right direction.
Reviewed by Captain Jason Storie โ owner & lead guide, 26+ years fishing Campbell River waters. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
