Fishery Notice

LICENCE AVAILABILITY
2023/2024 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences and Pacific Salmon Conservation Stamps will be available for purchase online Thursday, March 23, 2023 in the National Recreational Licensing System (NRLS). You are encouraged to purchase your licence(s) in advance of a planned fishing trip. Note that the 2023/2024 licences only become valid from April 1, 2023. 
 

Licences can be obtained via any computer connected to the internet at https://recfish-pechesportive.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm, or by 
using internet search key words "National Recreational Licensing System". In order to print a licence on a personal computer, you will need a printer with 8.5 x 11 letter-sized paper, Adobe Reader, a compatible web browser, and a valid credit card accepted by Moneris. 


BEST TIMES TO BUY
To minimize system delays, the best time to access NRLS is outside peak periods. Peak times are: daily from 12:00PM to 3:00PM; every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; April 1st of each year; and during a major fishery openings. During peak times you may experience site slowdown, timeout and other technical errors.


ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE OPTIONS
If there is an NRLS outage; if you have limited internet connectivity; or if you are having trouble obtaining your licence online, you can also visit an Independent Access Provider (IAP), a list of current service locations may be found at 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/iap-fai-eng.html 


NON-RESIDENT LICENCES 
If you are a non-resident of Canada wishing to fish for Halibut in Areas 23, 121, or 123, you must acquire a licence through one of the IAP locations.


LICENCE DOCUMENT
The licence is  a two page licence; you must print both pages and attach/keep them together (double-sided okay) - OR - have your licence immediately available to be viewed on an electronic device. Fishers are reminded that catch records must be immediately permanently recorded on the paper licence (on page 1), or in their NRLS account, for the following species and areas: Chinook and halibut retained in any Management Area, and lingcod retained in Areas 12 to 19 (excluding Subarea 12-14), and Subareas 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.


NON-REFUNDABLE 
Refunds will not be issued for licences purchased online, so please ensure your licence selection (including the fishing year) is correct before you complete your transaction.  


SPORT FISHING GUIDE
The British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide (SFG) is available online. For the most current information on recreational fisheries visit the online BC Sport Fishing Guide website at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html. Important! - Also review your Conditions of Licence (as shown on the licence document) for important regulations information. Fishers are reminded that they are subject to licence and catch inspection by fishery officers and fisheries guardians to ensure compliance with the regulations for the conservation and protection of tidal water fisheries.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For assistance or questions regarding your NRLS account or TWSF Licence please 
contact our toll-free line at 1-877-535-7307 from 08:00 am EST to 16:00 pm PST 
Monday - Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0289
Sent March 23, 2023 at 1010

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 20, 2024 at 1442