Recreational freshwater anglers will soon be able to buy B.C. freshwater fishing licences through the Wildlife Information and Licensing Data system (WILD).

Starting in fall 2025, people who are not already registered in the WILD system can create a profile and obtain a free Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) in preparation for the 2026-27 licence year. An FWID will be needed to purchase a freshwater fishing licence when sales open in WILD in spring 2026.

Currently, people access WILD using a Basic BCeID. This fall, B.C. residents and people who reside in Canada outside of B.C. will also have the option to log in using their BC Services Card account. This secure and convenient new method automates identity and residency verification, helping reduce administrative workload, reduce wait times and enhance the user experience.

People who do not reside in Canada will need to use or create a Basic BCeID to access and obtain an FWID online in WILD.

Since its launch in 2016, WILD has improved public access to hunting applications and authorizations and helped government process applications faster. Over the past five years, roughly 93% of all limited entry hunting applications and 30% of all hunting licences were purchased online through WILD, a Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship media release noted.

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

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

Anglers can register for their FWID online through WILD or in person at retailers.

e-KNOW file photo

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