Fishing License Guide for Non-Residents of Canada: Planning a Fishing Trip to Ontario

Before You Start

• Understand fishing rules and limits
• Know where to purchase your licence
• Note: A non-Canadian resident is someone who is neither an Ontario resident nor a Canadian resident.

For Adults (18 years and older) To begin fishing, you need a valid licence that includes:

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

Fishing licences are available in two types:

• Conservation (reduced catch limits)
• Sport (normal catch limits)

For Minors (under 18 years old) If accompanied by someone with a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence, minors don’t need an Outdoors Card or fishing licence. However, they must carry government-issued identification with their name and date of birth while fishing. Any fish they catch count towards the licence holder’s limits. Minors need their own Outdoors Card and licence to have separate limits.

• One-day fishing for adults: No Outdoors Card needed, but a one-day sport fishing licence is required.
• Eight-day fishing for adults: An eight-day fishing licence can be purchased online and saved in a digital format (e.g., on a smartphone), printed at home, or printed through a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer location.

Fishing Rules and Limits Follow specific rules while fishing, including catch and possession limits. These rules cover:

• Fishing times and locations
• Allowed fish species, sizes, and quantities
• Bait and tackle restrictions
• Regulations for specific locations (Ontario has 20 Fisheries Management Zones)

Carry your valid Outdoors Card and Licence Summary (or the Outdoors Card with your licence printed on the back) while fishing.

Where to Purchase An Outdoors Card must be purchased before buying a fishing licence, except for one-day sport fishing licences. When you buy or renew your Outdoors Card, a plastic card will be mailed to you with the fishing licence printed on the back. Use the Licence Summary provided at the time of purchase until you receive the plastic card.

Purchase Requirements

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• Mailing and residential address (including postal code)
• Height and eye colour

Purchase Options

• Online: Pay with Visa or Mastercard, and save your Licence Summary in a digital format (e.g., on your smartphone) or print it at home.
• In person: Visit a participating ServiceOntario location or a licence issuer.
• By phone: Call 1-800-288-1155 to renew an Outdoors Card and three-year licence.

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