Ontario Fishing Licence Prices: Base Fee, HST and Final Checkout Cost
Ontario’s official fee table shows prices before 13% HST. Most anglers also need an $8.57 Outdoors Card, which can make the amount paid at checkout higher than the licence price shown in search results.
Use this guide to compare licence-only totals, first-purchase costs, visitor options and the cheapest suitable licence for the number of days you plan to fish.
Ontario Fishing Licence Cost: Direct Answer
An Ontario resident’s one-year sport fishing licence costs $26.57 before HST or approximately $30.02 after HST. The one-year conservation licence costs $15.07 before HST or approximately $17.03 after HST.
When a new or renewed $8.57 Outdoors Card is required, the estimated checkout total becomes $39.71 for resident annual sport or $26.71 for resident annual conservation.
Choose Your Licence in Less Than a Minute
Start with age and residency, then match the licence duration and catch limit to your trip.
Ontario or Canadian resident under 18 or age 65+
You generally do not need to purchase a fishing licence or Outdoors Card when carrying qualifying government-issued identification.
Fishing for one calendar day
Buy the one-day sport fishing licence. It is the standard licence option that does not require an Outdoors Card.
Keeping few or no fish
Consider conservation. It costs less but has reduced catch and possession limits, and some conservation limits may be zero.
Keeping full permitted limits
Choose sport. The licence allows the sport limits marked “S,” subject to zone, species, season and waterbody rules.
Complete 2026 Ontario Fishing Licence Fee Table
Base fees below are official listed prices. HST totals use 13% and are rounded to the nearest cent.
| Licence product | Ontario resident | Ontario total with HST | Canadian resident | Canadian total with HST | Non-Canadian resident | Non-Canadian total with HST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoors Card Required for most licences; valid for three calendar years | $8.57 | $9.68 | $8.57 | $9.68 | $8.57 | $9.68 |
| One-day sport One calendar day; Outdoors Card not required | $12.21 | $13.80 | $15.21 | $17.19 | $24.86 | $28.09 |
| Eight-day sport Eight consecutive calendar days | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | $54.38 | $61.45 |
| Eight-day conservation Non-Canadian trip option with reduced limits | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | $31.52 | $35.62 |
| One-year sport Sport catch and possession limits | $26.57 | $30.02 | $55.81 | $63.07 | $83.19 | $94.00 |
| One-year conservation Reduced catch and possession limits | $15.07 | $17.03 | $33.43 | $37.78 | $52.71 | $59.56 |
| Three-year sport Must align with Outdoors Card validity | $79.71 | $90.07 | $167.43 | $189.20 | $249.57 | $282.01 |
| Three-year conservation Three licence years with reduced limits | $45.21 | $51.09 | $100.29 | $113.33 | $158.13 | $178.69 |
Ontario Fishing Licence Checkout Calculator
Select your residency, licence product and Outdoors Card status. The calculator adds the card when required and estimates 13% HST.
First-Purchase Totals: Licence, Card and HST
These totals apply when a new or renewed Outdoors Card must be added.
| Buyer and licence | Licence base fee | Card base fee | Subtotal before HST | Estimated total with HST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario resident — one-year sport | $26.57 | $8.57 | $35.14 | $39.71 |
| Ontario resident — one-year conservation | $15.07 | $8.57 | $23.64 | $26.71 |
| Ontario resident — three-year sport | $79.71 | $8.57 | $88.28 | $99.76 |
| Canadian resident — one-year sport | $55.81 | $8.57 | $64.38 | $72.75 |
| Canadian resident — one-year conservation | $33.43 | $8.57 | $42.00 | $47.46 |
| Non-Canadian — eight-day sport | $54.38 | $8.57 | $62.95 | $71.13 |
| Non-Canadian — eight-day conservation | $31.52 | $8.57 | $40.09 | $45.30 |
| Non-Canadian — one-year sport | $83.19 | $8.57 | $91.76 | $103.69 |
| Non-Canadian — one-year conservation | $52.71 | $8.57 | $61.28 | $69.25 |
When Does a Longer Licence Become Cheaper?
These comparisons include 13% HST and assume the buyer needs an Outdoors Card for longer-duration products.
Ontario resident
- One one-day sport licence: $13.80.
- Two separate one-days: $27.60.
- Three separate one-days: $41.40.
- Annual sport plus a new card: $39.71.
Practical answer: annual sport becomes cheaper than three separate one-day licences, even when a new card is required.
Canadian resident outside Ontario
- One one-day sport licence: $17.19.
- Four one-days: $68.76.
- Five one-days: $85.95.
- Annual sport plus a new card: $72.75.
Practical answer: annual sport generally becomes cheaper at five fishing days when a new card is required.
Non-Canadian visitor
- Two one-day sport licences: $56.18.
- Three one-day sport licences: $84.27.
- Eight-day sport plus a new card: $71.13.
- Eight-day conservation plus card: $45.30.
Practical answer: use separate one-days for one or two full-limit fishing days. Eight-day sport becomes cheaper at three days.
Sport or Conservation: Do Not Choose Only by Price
Sport fishing licence
- Uses the sport catch and possession limits marked “S.”
- Costs more than conservation.
- Better when you intend to keep the full legal limit.
- Does not override seasons, size restrictions or waterbody exceptions.
Conservation fishing licence
- Uses the reduced limits marked “C.”
- Costs less than sport.
- Often suitable for catch-and-release or light-harvest trips.
- Some species or waters may have a conservation limit of zero.
Which Residency Fee Should You Select?
Selecting the wrong category can produce the wrong price and invalid licence information.
Ontario resident
Your primary residence is in Ontario and you have lived in Ontario for at least six consecutive months during the 12 months immediately before applying.
Canadian resident
You are not an Ontario resident, your primary residence is elsewhere in Canada, and you have lived in Canada for at least six consecutive months during the previous 12 months.
Non-Canadian resident
You do not meet Ontario’s definition of an Ontario resident or Canadian resident. This generally includes visitors whose primary residence is outside Canada.
Who May Not Need to Purchase a Fishing Licence?
A qualifying document acts as a deemed fishing licence. Carry the required identification every time you fish.
Ontario and Canadian residents under 18
No purchased Outdoors Card or fishing licence is generally required. Carry government-issued identification showing your name and date of birth.
Sport licence catch and possession limits generally apply.
Ontario and Canadian residents age 65 or older
No purchased Outdoors Card or fishing licence is generally required. Carry qualifying government-issued identification showing name and date of birth.
Non-Canadian youth under 18
A non-Canadian youth may fish without their own licence when accompanied by a person holding the required valid sport fishing licence and Outdoors Card.
Fish kept by the youth count toward the accompanying licence holder’s limit. The youth can instead buy a licence for separate limits.
Non-Canadian seniors
Being age 65 or older does not provide the Canadian-resident senior exemption. Most non-Canadian seniors still need the appropriate Outdoors Card and licence.
Eligible disability documents
Some Ontario and Canadian residents with qualifying disability-related identification may fish using a deemed licence rather than purchasing a licence.
Other special situations
Separate rules may apply to qualifying military members, veterans, organized youth camps and Aboriginal or treaty-rights fishing situations.
2026 Ontario Free Fishing Periods
Canadian residents could fish without purchasing a licence or Outdoors Card during four official periods in 2026. Conservation limits and all other fishing regulations still applied.
| Free fishing period | 2026 dates | Who qualified | Important restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Fishing Weekend | February 14–16, 2026 | Canadian residents | Conservation limits and all zone rules applied |
| Mother’s Day Weekend | May 9–10, 2026 | Canadian residents | Government-issued identification was required |
| Father’s Day Weekend | June 20–21, 2026 | Canadian residents | Seasons, sizes and catch limits still applied |
| Family Fishing Week | June 27–July 5, 2026 | Canadian residents | Waterbody exceptions and closures still applied |
Licence and Outdoors Card Validity
One-day licence
Valid for one calendar day beginning at 12:00 midnight. It is not a rolling 24-hour period from purchase time.
Eight-day licence
Available to non-Canadian residents and valid for eight consecutive calendar days.
One-year licence
Expires December 31 of the licence year, even when it is purchased near the end of the year.
Three-year licence and card
An Outdoors Card is valid for three calendar years. A three-year licence must align with the card’s expiry.
What Proof Must You Carry While Fishing?
Licence summary
Your licence summary can be carried in paper or digital form, such as a saved document on your smartphone.
Outdoors Card
Carry a valid Outdoors Card when your licence requires one, unless Ontario’s current documentation rules provide an accepted temporary alternative.
Age or deemed-licence ID
Carry the qualifying identification when fishing under an age-based or other deemed-licence exemption.
How to Buy the Correct Ontario Fishing Licence
Use Ontario’s official system or a confirmed authorized licence issuer.
Confirm whether you need to pay
Check your residency, age and any deemed-licence qualification before purchasing.
Choose sport or conservation
Select sport for full permitted limits or conservation for reduced limits and a lower price.
Select the licence period
Compare one-day, eight-day, one-year or three-year coverage based on residency and trip length.
Check the Outdoors Card
Add or renew the card when required. Three-year licences may require card-expiry alignment.
Review checkout details
Confirm the residency category, licence year, start date, card number and final HST-inclusive total.
Save your proof
Download the licence summary, keep it accessible offline and print a backup when useful.
Telephone Licence Services
Automated licensing line: 1-800-288-1155
The automated route supports specified transactions, including purchasing a three-year sport or conservation fishing licence when renewing an Outdoors Card.
General support: 1-800-387-7011
Natural Resources Information and Support Centre hours are generally Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding statutory holidays.
Before Visiting an Issuer
- Confirm the location is still an authorized issuer.
- Ask whether it handles your exact transaction.
- Confirm opening hours before travelling.
- Bring identity and residency information.
- Review the printed licence before leaving.
What You Need Before Online Checkout
Personal information
- Legal first and last name
- Date of birth
- Residential and mailing address
- Postal or ZIP code
- Height and eye colour
Account and payment
- Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service account
- Existing Outdoors Card number, when applicable
- Correct residency category
- Accepted payment method
- Email access or a way to save the summary
After Buying: Four Rules to Check Before Fishing
Fishing zone
Identify the correct Fisheries Management Zone for the exact lake, river or section of water.
Open season
Confirm that the target species is open on the date you plan to fish.
Size and slot rules
Check minimum, maximum and protected slot sizes before retaining a fish.
Sport or conservation limit
Use the “S” or “C” limit that matches the licence or deemed licence under which you are fishing.
Common Cost and Checkout Mistakes
Reading the base fee as the final price
The official listed fee does not include 13% HST.
Forgetting the Outdoors Card
Most longer-duration licence products require the $8.57 card when the buyer does not already have a suitable valid card.
Selecting Ontario resident incorrectly
Property ownership, a cottage or a short stay in Ontario does not automatically meet the residency definition.
Buying conservation for sport limits
The lower price comes with reduced catch and possession limits.
Buying an annual licence late in the year
It expires December 31 of the printed licence year, not one year after purchase.
Choosing three-year with the wrong card expiry
The official system may require Outdoors Card renewal so that a three-year fishing licence can align with the card.
Using only a payment receipt
Keep the actual licence summary and Outdoors Card or qualifying deemed-licence identification.
Assuming a licence makes every water legal
Fishing zones, closed seasons, sanctuaries, species limits and waterbody exceptions still control.
Official Ontario Resources
Official fee table
Ontario, Canadian and non-Canadian resident fishing licence prices.
Check current official feesOfficial purchase portal
Buy, renew and manage Ontario fishing and hunting products.
Open licensing serviceOutdoors Card guidance
Card validity, renewal, replacement and licence-summary information.
Read official card helpResident licence rules
Age, residency, deemed-licence and disability-related guidance.
Check resident requirementsNon-Canadian visitor rules
One-day, eight-day, youth and visitor licence instructions.
Check visitor requirements2026 regulations
Zones, seasons, limits, sanctuaries and waterbody exceptions.
Open current regulations