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Beyond the US
Fishing in Canada: Where to Go and When
Salmon and halibut on the Pacific, walleye, pike and lake trout across the lakes, and bluefin tuna and Atlantic salmon in the east. Each province page covers the main regions, the season for each fish and the visitor license, from official sources, and our destination pages list charters, guides and lodges to call.
Pick a province
Fishing in Canada, province by province
Tap a province to see where to fish, when, and what the license costs, or a pin to go straight to the charters, guides and lodges.
Where to book
Fishing charters, guides and lodges in Canada
92 operators so far, listed A to Z on each destination page with direct phone numbers and no commission.
Provinces
Where to fish in Canada
Each card shows the main regions, the main fish and the visitor license for a year.
| Province | Visitor annual | Visitor short-term | Other Canadians, annual | Resident annual | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | C$91.44 (fresh water; salt water needs a federal license) | C$22.86 (1-day) | C$62.87 | C$41.15 | tax not included |
| Alberta | C$87 | C$29 (1-day) | C$62 | C$30 | plus 5% GST |
| Saskatchewan | C$115 | C$28 (1-day) | C$86 | C$42 | GST included |
| Manitoba | C$72.45 | C$27.30 (1-day) | C$45.15 | C$29.40 | GST included |
| Ontario | C$83.19 | C$24.86 (1-day) | C$55.81 | C$26.57 | plus 13% HST |
| Quebec | C$95.68 | C$22.36 (1-day) | same as visitor | C$26.73 | taxes included |
| New Brunswick | C$64 | C$30 (3-day) | same as visitor | C$23 | tax may be added |
| Nova Scotia | C$34.55 | C$13.04 (1-day) | same as visitor | C$27.41 | tax not stated |
| Prince Edward Island | C$30 (same price for everyone) | C$10 (5-day) | same as visitor | C$30 | plus HST |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$80 (salmon license; trout only is C$12) | — | same as visitor | C$23 | plus HST and a $3 vendor fee |
Crossing the border
Driving, flying or boating up from the US
What the Canadian and US border agencies say, checked 2026-10-10. Rules change, so check the linked pages before you go.
Entering Canada: documents
Canada's border agency recommends US citizens travel with a valid passport; otherwise you need documents that together show your full name, date of birth and citizenship (such as a birth certificate or a US enhanced driver's license). A NEXUS card can also be used to enter Canada.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Returning to the US by land or water
US citizens 16 and older driving or boating back into the US need a valid passport, passport card, trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an enhanced driver's license. Children under 16 can use a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.
Source: cbp.gov
Flying home from Canada
For flights into the US from Canada, US citizens need a passport book or another approved document; the passport card is not valid for flights.
Source: travel.state.gov
Bait and Asian carps
Bait brought into Canada must be declared, and if the needed import permit isn't shown it will be seized and you may get a warning or penalty; provinces can also ban imported bait. Live Asian carps, or dead ones that have not been gutted, are banned for any use, bait included.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Worms, leeches and other bait
Most bait species need an import permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and earthworms arriving by land or water need a CFIA plant protection permit. Declare all bait and carry papers that give the scientific name of each bait species.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Boats: clean, drain, dry
Boats, trailers and gear must arrive at the border free of zebra and quagga mussels: cleaned of plants, animals, mud and debris, drained of water and dry. A car wash does not count as decontamination, and boats suspected of carrying mussels can be refused entry.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Boating into Canadian waters
If you land, anchor, moor or meet another vessel in Canadian waters, the boat operator must report to the CBSA right away, for example by calling 1-888-226-7277. The minimum fine for not reporting is CAN$1,000.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Bringing fish into Canada
You must declare all food you bring into Canada. Travellers from the US can bring up to 40 kg of fish and seafood for personal use (10 kg if dried, 1 kg of fish roe), and pufferfish are not allowed.
Source: inspection.canada.ca
Bringing fish back into the US
CBP lists fish, shellfish, and products made from fish or wildlife among the items to check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before you import them. Endangered or protected species can face bans or permit requirements.
Source: cbp.gov
Declare at the US border
Everyone entering the US must declare meats, animals and other agricultural items. CBP destroys restricted items it confiscates.
Source: cbp.gov
Licenses: BC salt water vs fresh water
Anyone fishing in British Columbia's tidal (salt) waters needs a federal license from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, plus a salmon conservation stamp to keep salmon. Non-residents pay more, and under-16s get the license free but still need one. Freshwater fishing needs a separate license from the Province of BC.
Source: pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Currency of CAN$10,000 or more
Carrying money worth CAN$10,000 or more across the border is legal, but you must declare it when you enter and when you leave Canada.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Questions
Fishing in Canada: questions
Do I need a passport to fish in Canada?
Canada’s border agency recommends a valid passport. Driving or boating back into the US, a passport card, NEXUS card or enhanced driver’s license also works; flying home, you need a passport book.
Can I bring bait into Canada?
Declare all bait. Most live bait needs an import permit, live or ungutted Asian carps are banned, and some provinces ban imported bait outright.
Do I need a fishing license in Canada?
Yes, from the province you fish in. Visitor prices run from C$30 to C$115 a year – see the license comparison.
From the blog: Fishing in Canada as an American
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