Recreational fisherman, purchasing freshwater fishing licences is about to get easier.
To offer a more streamlined and unified experience for outdoor enthusiasts, the province will soon be offering freshwater fishing licences through their Wildlife Information and Licensing Data system (WILD).
WILD has been in operation since 2016, and was initially created to improve access to hunting applications and licences across the province.
According to the BC government, having both hunting and freshwater fishing under one website will make it easier for BC and Canadian residents to manage all of their licences on a single platform.
Users can expect this change to take place in the fall. Those who aren’t already registered in the WILD system will be able to create a profile and obtain a free Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID).
This will be required to buy a freshwater fishing licence for the 2026-2027 season.
At the moment, accessing WILD requires a Basic BCeID, however, with the launch in the fall, BC and Canadian users will also be able to log on using their BC Services Card account.
If you’re not a Canadian resident, you will still need to use a Basic BCeID to access the system.
“B.C. is home to some of the world’s most renowned freshwater fishing destinations, attracting residents and visitors alike,” a media release reads.
“Expanding WILD to include freshwater fishing licence sales will further streamline the licensing process for stakeholders and government, improve data collection, and support informed decision-making for fish and wildlife management.”
These improvements are expected to ensure better-informed decisions for conservation and sustainable outdoor recreation for all.
If you wish to read more about WILD’s system, you can view their reference guide.
