Admittedly, fishing can be the best pastime for some people as an escape of repetitive work. However, if you are a fan of recreational fishing in Ontario, you are required to hold a fishing license to legally fish. It is a basic requirement for the sake of sustainable fishing development in this province. If you are ready to have try of fishing in Ontario, this article provides the necessary information to get an Ontario fishing license.
What is Ontario fishing license?
When it comes to fishing in Ontario, a fishing permit is a must before you go on board. In Ontario, a fishing license is permission that you obtain from the local government. It allows you to enjoy peaceful moments from fishing without worries of getting caught and paying fines. Without a fishing license, the worst case is that you can be banned from fishing in the future. So, efforts in obtaining a fishing license are reasonably worthy. Ontario offers two fishing license options, a Sports license, and a Conservation license. They are designed for different fishing scenarios. You are supposed to purchase one of them based on your own case.
Who is eligible for fishing license in Ontario?
Age is one of the defining factors in your eligibility of fishing license. If you are an Ontario resident, the eligible group for fishing license covers those who are aged between 18 to 65 years old. Those who are out of this age range do not need a license to go fishing in this province. In terms of non-residents, you need to have a license if you are older than eighteen. For both Ontario residents and non-residents, the group that do not need a permit to go fishing are still subjected to local fishing regulations.
Requirements for Ontario fishing license
- Over eighteen and under 65 years old
To secure an Ontario fishing license, you will need to grab an Ontario Outdoors Card first if you are eligible. An Ontario Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized identification card that displays your fishing license on its back with your personal information, such as your name and date of birth.
- Under eighteen years old or over sixty-five
If you do not belong to the eligible age bracket mentioned above, you should use other documents listed below as a fishing license substitute. Please note that even those who do not necessarily hold a permit card to fish should also follow Ontario fishing laws.
- an identity card issued by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
- an accessible parking permit issued under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
How to get a fishing license in Ontario
If your eligibility was determined, below are clear steps and options to help you apply for a fishing permit in Ontario. There are three channels to easily access a fishing license in this province. You can turn to any of them at your own preferences.
Purchase Online
The online application is simple as shown below.
1. Visit the Hunting and Fishing License Ontario website
2. Choose “buy license” to enter the service interface
3. Enter your email or Outdoors Card number to login, or create a new account
4. Pay with Visa or Mastercard for service fee
5. Save your Licence Summary in a digital format
6. Print it so that you can carry it with you to go fishing.
Purchase in person
If you are lucky enough to have a license issuer near your house or fishing destination, you can also buy a license from them at your convenience. What is more, visiting a participating ServiceOntario location is the other way to buy a license in person if time permits.
Purchase by phone
Calling 1-800-288-1155 is only available for those who want to renew an Outdoors Card and three-year licence. If the above options are not your preferences, calling the service and asking operators to do the work for you shall save you online or offline operations in the fishing permit application.
Personal information that are needed in this course covers your name, date of birth, height, eye color, mailing address and residential address. Information provided during application is used for identification, so applicants are obliged to provide legal ones.
How to renew fishing license in Ontario
Ontario fishing license is valid for a limited period of one year, or three years, and among others. An Ontario Outdoors Card will be valid for three calendar years once issued. It is plain to see that if you stay in Ontario longer than that, you will need to update your fishing license in time. In this case, renewal of your license is necessary to keep your fishing license valid for a while. To renew your Ontario fishing permit is similar to applying for it. Online renewal and in-person renewal work are available for renewal. The automated telephone service at 1-800-288-1155 would also solve your problem of paying the renewal fee. For your information, the Outdoors Card renewal period starts on the first Tuesday of December on a year-to-year basis.
How much is a fishing license in Ontario?
In terms of the cost of an Ontario fishing license, it charges differently for Ontario residents, Canadians living outside the province, to non-Canadian residents alike. Additionally, the fee for a fishing license also depends on the license type. On top of the Outdoors Card, you should pay the license application fee depending on your fishing time and your residency status. The chart below indicates detailed payments for all license types and residency.
| Type | Ontario residents | Canadian residents | Non-Canadian residents |
| 1-day Sport license | $12.21 | $15.21 | $24.86 |
| 8-day Sport license | N/A | N/A | $54.38 |
| 1-year Sport license | $26.57 | $55.81 | $83.19 |
| 3-year Sport license | $79.71 | $167.43 | $249.57 |
| 8-day conservation license | N/A | N/A | $31.52 |
| 1-year conservation license | $15.07 | $33.43 | $52.71 |
| 3-year conservation license | $45.21 | $100.29 | $158.13 |
| Outdoors card | $8.57 | $8.57 | $8.57 |
The final payments are prices above with HST. You are supposed to pay with Canadian dollars after you have the most suitable type on your mind.
What to do if I lose my fishing license
A lot of anglers get fish and joys from Ontario’s waters. Yet Ontario’s waters also get a lot from anglers in return and lost licenses are the typical ones. Fortunately, you have a right to go fishing again in a truly short time as you would find it simple to get a new one for free. As for the Outdoors Card, it will charge a small fee to get replaced, but you can have it renewed online or by phone. Also, visiting the nearest license issuer or calling 1-800-288-1155 will help to get your fishing permission valid again. In general, steps to replace fishing licenses or Outdoors cards are similar to applying for them.
To get more information about Ontario documents, you can also head over to our dedicated article. Ontario photo card can be your poof of identity and help in various identity or activity application.
FAQ
Q: Who can fish in Ontario without a license?
A: Apart from those who are under 18 years old, veterans and service members of the Canadian military are also exempt from obtaining a fishing license when they want to go fishing. More than that, local people of indigenous communities do not have to secure a license for fishing. But indigenous anglers are restricted to specific fishing zones and purposes. Also, a fishing license is not a must for the disabled. Disabled anglers may require an assistant for support. The assistant should have a fishing permit if they directly engage in fishing while assisting the disabled angler. Please find here for more details if you are one of those who do not need a license to fish.
Q: What are the Ontario fishing regulations 2024?
A: Rules and limits of Ontario fishing vary annually based on open seasons, residency, types of fish, types of fishing license, and your destination to fish. So, it is suggested to update your understanding of the latest fishing regulations before you cast a line into Ontario waters. To name a few, for anglers carrying a sports license, among four fishes that you are allowed to possess to the max, only one can be longer than 90 cm. You must release any fish at once if it is between 70-90 cm long. As for those holding a conservation license, there is no restriction on size, but you can only catch and take one fish home.
Q: What is the fine for no fishing license in Ontario?
A: If you fail to comply with fishing regulations and go fishing with no fishing license in Ontario, you will face a penalty of $155 once getting caught. Worse than that, your angling gear will be confiscated as it is an offence to the local fishing laws. In comparison with applying for a license for free in this province, it is obviously not a worthwhile risk to take in an attempt to fish illegally.
Summary
Ontario has always been an attraction of numerous anglers for diversified fish species and tranquility in the Nature. However, it is more important than fishing itself to protect the local fishing sustainability. With compliance with Ontario fishing regulations, you will be an active part in protecting the Eco balance of Ontario. More than merely fishing, you will foster a good habit of seizing the right opportunity to fish.
Erin Lo