Anglers encouraged to register ahead of March licence sales

Anglers in British Columbia will soon use the same online licensing system as hunters to buy their freshwater fishing licences.

Starting Monday, Feb. 9, anglers can register for a free Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) in the Wildlife Information and Licensing Data system (WILD) to prepare for the 2026-27 fishing season. WILD is government’s online service that provides a secure way to buy freshwater fishing and hunting licences.

“This is in response to B.C.’s passionate angling community who have asked for a more integrated approach to freshwater fishing licensing,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “By having both fishing and hunting licensing in one place, it means that more people will get all the provincial licences they need with fewer transactions.”

“With freshwater fishing licence fees funding the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, modernization of the licensing system is great news, ensuring we can continue delivering the provincial stocking program, research, conservation and educational initiatives that B.C. anglers expect,” said Andrew Wilson, president, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.

“We welcome a streamlined and improved licencing system that will support the management and administration of B.C.’s recreational fisheries and help remove barriers to participation for all anglers.”

“The B.C. Federation of Drift Fishers supports the proposed changes to the licensing procedure, which simplifies the process while providing annual data and resources supporting sound management toward conservation and increased angler opportunity. Simplifying the process to provide increased compliance and enforcement is certainly a potentially beneficial outcome,” stated Rod Clapton, president, B.C. Federation of Drift Fishers.

A FWID is required to buy a fishing licence in WILD. Anglers who do not already have a FWID must register in WILD to obtain one. This permanent identification number links to the angler’s personal profile in the WILD system. Angler numbers will be retired after the current licence year, a Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship media release explained.

All anglers can use a Basic BCeID to access WILD. People who live in Canada also have the option to use a BC Services Card Account, which offers a streamlined FWID registration process, and automatic identity and residency verification for eligible users. This is a new login option for all WILD users, and provides a faster, more secure way to register for and access an FWID profile.

People who prefer in-person service can register for their FWID and buy licences at FrontCounter BC, Service BC or participating vendor locations.

Starting April 1, anglers will no longer need to carry a paper or digital copy of most fishing licences. Their FWID and identification will serve as proof of authorization for all basic angling, classified waters and white sturgeon conservation licences, the ministry said.

Anglers must still carry a copy of their licence, paper or digital, as proof of authorization for all Conservation Surcharge Stamps. When a Conservation Surcharge Stamp and retention record is required, anglers must carry paper copy of their licence in order to record their catch details.

Conservation officers will access and verify angler’s FWIDs and fishing licence details in the field using their mobile application.

This change follows regulatory amendments, which bring proof of authorization requirements for anglers into alignment with those established for hunters.

Recreational fishing licence pre-sales for the 2026-27 licence year – starting April 1 – will be available early March 2026 in WILD.

Licence fees for freshwater fishing licences help fund research, conservation and education programs, improve angler access and the provincial stocking program through the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.

Conservation surcharge stamp fees provide grants for fish conservation projects through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.

A FWID is mandatory and will provide access to licences for approximately 350,000 recreational anglers who fish in B.C. each year.

e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

Article Share