BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Regs & licence

Recreational Fishing in BC Tidal Waters

Learn about fishing regulations and licence info, species identification, responsible fishing practices and more.
Click on image to download printable PDF version of this map.

BC tidal area 14 - Comox, Parksville, Denman and Hornby Islands: Recreational fishing limits, openings and closures

You’re responsible for understanding the regulations and restrictions that may affect an open fishery.

How to follow the rules:

  1. Check the Area map. You need to know the location (subarea) where you plan to fish.
  2. Check the species regulations tables for fishing opportunities and basic regulations.
  3. Check the restrictions tables for special exceptions and more detailed regulations. Make sure you know the:
    • (d) Daily limit: The maximum number of a given fish species that a person is allowed to keep in one day.
    • (p) Possession limit: The maximum number of fish you can have in your possession at any given time, except for what is at your ordinary residence.
    • (a) Annual limit: The total amount of fish of a certain species that may be caught and retained during the course of a fishing year which commences on April 1 and ends the following March 31.
  4. Get to know the locations of protected areas. Permanent fishing restrictions are in effect in these areas to protect fish and fish habitat.
  5. Unless otherwise specified, fishing opportunities end at 23:59 hrs on the close-date shown.

Licensing

Apply for your BC tidal waters recreational fishing licence and salmon conservation stamp.

To purchase a tidal waters fishing licence (British Columbia) online:

All anglers must have a licence to fish tidal (salt) waters in British Columbia. It is best to purchase your licence online before you head out, as many fishing locations do not have an Independent Access Provider who sells fishing licences.

Licences are purchased annually and are good from April 1 to March 31.