Fishing in Canada

Freshwater licences are provincial, but tidal water in British Columbia needs a federal DFO licence plus a Salmon Conservation Stamp to keep salmon.

3 researched spots — 2 Fly Fishing, 1 Saltwater.

Licences and permits in Canada

Canada is the country where visitors most often buy the wrong licence, because two governments are involved. Freshwater fishing is provincial, so an Alberta or New Brunswick licence comes from that province and covers only it. Tidal water in British Columbia is federal: Fisheries and Oceans Canada requires every recreational angler to hold a Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence, sold as one-, three- and five-day or annual, and available online through the National Recreational Licensing System or from retail outlets, charters, lodges and marinas acting as access providers. If you intend to keep Pacific salmon you also need a Salmon Conservation Stamp affixed to that licence — it runs from 1 April to 31 March and is not required if you release every salmon you catch. Atlantic salmon in the east is licensed separately again by the province.

When to fish in Canada

Canadian seasons are short, sharp and worth planning a trip around. On the Miramichi, Atlantic salmon come in two waves — a summer run in June and July and an autumn run in September and October — and both respond to rain lifting the water. British Columbia's Campbell River fishes chinook from July to September and coho in September and October, worked around the tide changes. Alberta's Bow River is a year-round trout river with a strong summer terrestrial season: hopper fishing from July into September, blue-winged olive hatches, then streamer fishing in autumn. In-season change is normal rather than exceptional on the coast, where DFO adjusts area closures and retention through the season, so check current notices rather than last year's plan.

What the fishing is like

Three published Canadian spots, three different fisheries. The Miramichi in New Brunswick is one of the great Atlantic salmon rivers, fished for salmon and brook trout, and largely a live-release fishery. The Bow, running straight through Calgary, is an unusually accessible brown and rainbow trout river — a tailwater with city access and serious fish. Campbell River on Vancouver Island is Pacific saltwater for chinook and coho salmon and halibut, fished from boats around the tides. The mix means the licence you need depends entirely on which one you pick: provincial for the first two, federal plus a stamp for the third.

Species you can target

  • Atlantic salmon
  • brook trout
  • brown trout
  • chinook salmon
  • coho salmon
  • halibut
  • rainbow trout

Fishing spots in Canada

  • Bow River — Calgary, AB. Fly Fishing, Intermediate. Target species: brown trout, rainbow trout.
  • Campbell River — Vancouver Island, BC. Saltwater, Intermediate. Target species: chinook salmon, coho salmon, halibut.
  • Miramichi River — Miramichi, NB. Fly Fishing, Advanced. Target species: Atlantic salmon, brook trout.

Official sources

Licence requirements and closed seasons change regularly. Always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish — each spot page links to its source.

Fishing regulations and licences by country · View the fishing map