BC Freshwater Angling Licences:

Available to purchase online! Licenses can be purchased on the BC Government Website.

Below is some extra information that may help.

Guided Clients

If you are a client of Elk River Guiding and have guided trips booked, please check-in with us at the Fly Shop before purchasing your classified waters license, so that we can ensure you are licensed correctly for your guided trip. See below about registering yourself for an Angler Number and purchasing your basic license in advance.

Get a BC Angler Number

If you are planning to fish in BC, go on-line and register to get a BC Angler Number. This is a permanent identification number assigned to you that will be required to purchase a fishing license in BC. Please save this Angler Number somewhere accessible, such as your smart phone, as we cannot look you up by name. It is a good idea to take a picture of your Angler Number and your fishing licence so you have it as a reference in future years, or if you are to misplace it while fishing.

In order to look up an angler, a vendor (like us at the Fly Shop) requires the following information:

  • Your BC Angler Number
  • Your Date of Birth
  • Your Phone Number (that was used when you registered)

Purchase a Basic Fishing License

You can purchase a one-day, eight-day, or annual basic licence online. This allows you to fish all lakes and non-classified rivers in BC. Many rivers (like the Elk River, Bull River, Michel Creek, and the Wigwam River to name a few) require a Classified Waters permit in addition to your basic license

Purchase a Classified Waters License

Classified Waters Licenses must be purchased in addition to your basic license to fish many rivers, especially in the Kootenay Region. BC residents can purchase an annual classified waters license. Canadian residents from outside BC, and non-Canadian residents can only purchase classified waters licenses by the day AND by the river. (Ex. if you want to fish the Elk River and Bull River on the same day, you must purchase a one day classified waters license for each river for that calendar day).

If you are being guided on a classified waterbody, it must be indicated as such on your license at the time of issue. If you are a non-BC resident (Canadian resident or non-Canadian resident) being guided by us at Elk River Guiding Company, please check-in with us at the Fly Shop before purchasing your classified waters license, so that we can ensure you are licensed correctly.

Important Advice!

  • You must have a signed copy of your fishing license and MATCHING government issued photo ID on you when you are fishing.
  • Register yourself to a BC Angler Number prior to your trip. There is no cost to register and it will speed up the license issuing process.
  • Make sure you print your fishing license, not your receipt (common mistake). Your license has your angler number and there is no payment information on it.
  • Save your angler number! Take a picture of it, add it to your contacts, whatever it takes. We need it to look you up.
  • If you know your angling plans in advance, pre-purchase all licences and classified waters permits – the licensing system is known for outages and when it goes down there is no alternate way to purchase a license.
  • Some waters have limited classified waters licenses available to non-BC residents. These go on sale (online) March 1st at midnight each year. They are issued on a first-come first-serve basis and they go fast.

Buy Your License

BC Fishing Regulations:

The Fernie area falls under Region 4: Kootenay in the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations.

Be sure to know the rules before you fish. If you practice catch and release, use only a single barbless hook (NO DROPPERS and no flies/lures with more than one hook), and do not use any form of bait, then you will be fine 98% of the time. There are stream closures and other water specific regulations to be aware of.

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse and fines can be hefty.

The Kootenays have some special waters that are desirable to many anglers. There are specific regulations that the Province of British Columbia has put in to place so all may enjoy this amazing resource. Please consult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations and follow them accordingly.

Understand that Elk River Guiding Co. staff are happy to help you on your fishing adventures, but can only operate within the set regulations. Please be respectful. We have the right to refuse service to those who abuse our staff for issues and regulations beyond our control. 

Information about the Kootenay Classified Waters System

Back in 2015, regulatory changes were made to the Kootenay Angling Management Plan. Initially, the changes to the classified waters license system were a difficult adjustment for many anglers. Now, the reduced pressure on these fisheries has lead to a noticeable improvement to the quality of fishing.

BC’s classified waters are productive wild trout streams in wilderness and semi-wilderness settings, which provide unique and high quality fishing opportunities that are in high demand but limited supply. The classified waters system was created to help protect the quality of fishing opportunities these waters provide. The system includes limits to guided and non-guided angling, reflects resident priority, and requires special classified water licences. Together these measures support stock assessment, habitat protection and enhancement, as well as compliance and enforcement.

 

The changes to Kootenay Angling Management Plan were as follows:

  • Implementation of a booking system for non-resident anglers on three “classified waters” in the Kootenays: the Wigwam River, Skookumchuck Creek and Michel Creek. All three of these fisheries saw non-BC resident, non-guided angler use exceed targets, creating overcrowding on the river as well as pressure on fish populations.
  • A set amount of non-BC resident, non-guided angler days made available through the existing online angling licensing system. Selections are made on a first-come, first-serve basis, ensuring all non-resident anglers have an equal opportunity to secure a license.
  • Once these days are sold, non-resident anglers must book through a licensed angling guide to fish these waters. Keep in mind guide days are also limited and sell out fast.
  • The system ensures BC resident anglers maintain priority access on streams that have been over-subscribed in the past years, while still allowing non-BC residents ample opportunity to access these high-demand systems.