Saltwater Licences

Anglers must purchase a Tidal Water Sport Fishing Licence to fish British Columbia's saltwater areas.

A basic licence allows you to pursue most available species of fish. If you want to catch salmon, you will need to purchase an additional salmon conservation stamp. Children under the age of 16 must register for a licence, but the licences are issued free of charge.

Buy a Tidalwater Recreational Fishing Licence Online

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/licensing/default_e.htm

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is pleased to offer the Recreational Licensing System, an online application for the B.C. tidal waters sport fishing licence service. This online licence service is user friendly: fill out the secured online form, pay the required fee, print your licence, and you are ready to go fishing.

Tidalwater Licence Vendors http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/index-eng.htm#Where_to_buy
View or download a PDF list of Tidalwater licence vendors across the province of British Columbia. A phone number for further information is also provided.

Saltwater Regulations

2009-2011 British Columbia Sport Fishing Guide

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/SFG_e.htm

Copies of the regulations can also be obtained from most licence vendors, tackle stores and marinas.

The Tidal Waters and Freshwater Salmon Supplement can be downloaded separately on this page.

The Freshwater Salmon Supplement will help you find the information you need to know before sport fishing for salmon in freshwater (non-tidal) in British Columbia. This booklet is a supplement to the provincial government's British Columbia Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.

Saltwater Salmon Limits and Measurements

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Opportunities/salmontidal_e.pdf

Points to remember when salmon fishing in saltwater.

Finfish other than salmon

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Opportunities/finfish_e.pdf

Points to remember when finfishing in saltwater.

Shellfish Opportunities in Saltwater

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Opportunities/shellfish_e.htm

This website has a downloadable version of the Shellfish Regulations, Management Changes and Updates, and other important shellfish fishing information.

Saltwater Conditions

Red Tide (PSP) and Contamination

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/PSP&contamination_e.htm

Tides, Currents and Water Levels

http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/english/Canada.shtml

Tidalwater Charts and Maps

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pages/maps_e.htm

Fishing reports and Hot Spots

http://www.sportfishing.bc.ca/hotspots/index.cfm

Saltwater Conservation and Enhancement

For more information about Pacific Region conservation and enhancement, visit: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/CP/default_e.htm

Salmon Conservation and Enhancement

For thousands of years, the history, economy and culture of Canada's west coast have been inextricably linked to Pacific salmon. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for managing sockeye, pink, chum, chinook and coho salmon in a manner that balances conservation goals with Aboriginal, recreational and commercial fishing opportunities. Ongoing fisheries reform initiatives and new commitments such as the Wild Salmon Policy will ensure the salmon resource exists far into the future.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada contributes to the conservation and enhancement of salmon species through several programs. Partnerships with environmental foundations, the sale of the Salmon Conservation Stamp, and the Salmonid Enhancement Program's salmon hatcheries, and stewardship, outreach and community involvement initiatives, are all part of DFO's commitment to the conservation mandate.

For more information, visit: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species/salmon/enhancement_and_conservation/default_e.htm

Salmon Conservation Stamp

The revenues from the sale of these stamps and a series of limited edition art prints is used to fund salmon restoration projects supported by the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund Society. There has been a different Salmon Conservation Stamp created every year for the last 19 years.

For information on the Salmon Conservation Stamp and limited edition art prints, visit: http://www.psf.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=29