Fish and Wildlife Branch

Angling Licences & Fees

Conservation Surcharge Stamps

The front of the basic licence contains boxes for up to five annual conservation surcharge stamps described in detail below. These stamps are valid for the licence year, (i.e., to March 31). Anglers who purchase more than one short-term licence (i.e. One Day or Eight Day Licences) should keep the current licence and the original licence with its Conservation Stamps together while angling. Moving the stamps to the new licence will invalidate them.

Steelhead

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp if you intend to fish for steelhead anywhere in B.C. (whether you intend to keep or release your catch). In addition, a steelhead stamp is mandatory when fishing on most classified waters during certain specified periods, even when fishing for species other than steelhead. Refer to the regional tables for dates and exceptions.

This stamp is available with all annual and short-term basic licences but you are limited to one stamp per year, regardless of how many short-term licences you buy. Follow the recording instructions on the back of your angling licence after catching and keeping a steelhead. Please retain your basic licence for the entire licence year as you may be requested to complete an annual steelhead survey.

Note: The ANNUAL province-wide quota for steelhead is 10, whether hatchery or wild in origin. Most wild steelhead must be released - check the Regional Water-Specific Tables for details.

Non-Tidal Salmon

Your basic licence must be validated with a salmon conservation stamp to keep a salmon of any legal size or species (other than kokanee) from non-tidal waters. A stamp is not required if you intend to release all salmon caught. You must record your retention of adult chinook salmon on the back of your basic angling licence.

Note: "Adult Chinook" are defined in the Freshwater Salmon Supplement published in DFO.

Kootenay Lake Rainbow Trout

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from the main body of Kootenay Lake. You must record your retention on the back of your basic angling licence.

No conservation surcharge stamp is required if you release all Kootenay Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm.

Shuswap Lake Char

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp to keep char over 60 cm caught in Shuswap Lake.* You must record your retention on the back of your basic angling licence.

No conservation surcharge stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake char over 60 cm.

Shuswap Lake Rainbow Trout

Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from Shuswap Lake.* You must record your retention on the back of your basic angling licence.

No conservation surcharge stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm.

* Shuswap Lake includes the main body of Shuswap Lake, Little Shuswap Lake, South Thompson River between Shuswap Lake and Little Shuswap Lake, Seymour, Anstey and Salmon Arms and Mara Lake.

(prices subject to change, G.S.T. not included)