Fishing licence (non-residents of Canada)

How to get a fishing licence if you plan to visit Ontario to fish.

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A non-Canadian resident is a person who is neither an Ontario resident nor a Canadian resident.

Before you start

If you are 18 years and older

You will need a valid licence before you can start fishing. This licence includes two parts:

1. an Outdoors Card (a plastic ID card, valid for three calendar years)
2. a fishing licence (valid for either one or three calendar years)

A fishing licence can be for either:

• conservation (reduced catch limits)
• sport (normal catch limits)

If you are under 18 years old

If you are accompanied by a person with a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence, you do not need a valid Outdoors Card or fishing licence.

Any fish you keep are part of the catch and possession limit of the person holding the licence. To gain your own limits, you will need your own Outdoors Card and licence.

Fishing for one day only, if you are 18 years or older:

If you plan to fish for a single day only, you do not need an Outdoors Card—but you will need a one-day sport fishing licence.

Fishing for eight days, if you are 18 years or older:

You can buy an eight-day fishing licence online. This can be saved in a digital format (for example, on your smartphone), printed from home, or printed through a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer location.

Fishing rules and limits

You must follow certain rules while fishing, including catch and possession limits. These rules determine:

• when and where you can fish
• the species, size and number of fish you can keep
• what you can use for bait and tackle
• what you can and cannot do in specific locations (Ontario is divided into 20 Fisheries Management Zones)

While fishing, you must carry your valid Outdoors Card and Licence Summary listing your valid fishing licence, unless your licence is printed on the back of your Outdoors Card.

As of November 23, 2018, only one type of Outdoors Card will be issued for fishing and hunting.

Where to purchase

You must buy an Outdoors Card before you can buy a fishing licence. However, you can buy a one-day sport fishing licence without an Outdoors Card.

When you buy or renew your Outdoors Card, you will get a plastic card mailed to you. The Outdoors Card will have your fishing licence printed on the back.

Until you receive your plastic card in the mail, you can use the Licence Summary given to you at the time of purchase to immediately go fishing.

What you’ll need

• first and last name
• date of birth
• mailing and residential address (including postal code)
• height and eye colour

Buy now

• pay with Visa or Mastercard
• save your Licence Summary in a digital format (for example, on your smartphone) or print it at home

To buy in person:

• visit a participating ServiceOntario location
• visit a licence issuer

To pay by phone:

• call 1-800-288-1155 to renew an Outdoors Card and three year licence