This season’s fishing license is going digital

Freshwater fishing licenses will be available online through the Wildlife Information and Licensing Data (WILD) system this spring, giving anglers the option of getting their license online or in person.

The streamlined service designed for the angling community has arrived ahead of the 2026-27 season, which begins April 1, allowing freshwater fishing licenses to be purchased online through WILD for the first time. Registration for a Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) is required before purchasing a license through WILD, which is an online service provided by the government according to the release.

“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 licenses they need with fewer transactions.”

Anglers can register for the free FWID if they don’t already have one, so their permanent identification number links to their personal profile in the WILD system, with angler numbers being retired after the current license year, according to the province.

“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. It is a new login option for WILD users, and provides a quick, secure way to register for and access an FWID profile.”

No longer will anglers need to carry a paper or digital copy for most fishing licenses according to the release, as their FWID and government ID will be proof enough for all basic fishing, classified waters, and white sturgeon conservation licenses.

However, anglers must all still carry a digital or paper copy of their license as proof for all authorized conservation surcharge stamps. Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license to record catch details when and where conservation surcharge stamps are required.

According to the Province, conservation officers will be able to access and verify angler’s FWID and their fishing license details through a mobile application they have.

The province says fees collected from licenses go towards funding research, education and conservation programs, and helps the provincial stocking program through the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. each year. Grants for fish conservation projects through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation also receive funding from conservation surcharge stamp fees.

“With freshwater fishing license 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 licensing 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,” stated Rod Clapton, president, B.C. Federation of Drift Fishers. “Simplifying the process to provide increased compliance and enforcement is certainly a potentially beneficial outcome.”

With the new system in place ahead of the April 1 license year, the province says anglers will have a simpler way to access licenses while continuing to contribute to conservation programs that support freshwater fisheries across B.C.