What is a Canadian resident Outdoors Card and who needs to purchase one?

A Canadian resident is defined as a person whose primary residence is in any part of Canada who is not an Ontario resident and who has lived in Canada for a period of at least six consecutive months during the 12 months immediately before applying for a licence.

Ontario resident definition 
Non-Canadian resident definition

What is a Canadian resident Outdoors Card?

A Canadian resident Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized card issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.  It is used for identification and administrative purposes. Fishing licence tags must accompany the Canadian resident Outdoors Card.

Is an Outdoors Card a fishing licence?

No. For Canadian residents, a complete and valid licence to fish consists of:

An Outdoors Card alone is NOT a fishing licence.

Who needs to purchase a Canadian resident Outdoors Card and Fishing Licence Tag to fish in Ontario?
 

Most Canadian residents need an Ontario-issued Outdoors Card and fishing licence tag to fish in Ontario if they are at least 18 years old but have not reached their 65th birthday.

Who does not need to purchase a Canadian resident Outdoors Card and Fishing Licence Tag?

The following people do not need to purchase a Canadian resident Outdoors Card and fishing licence tag to fish in Ontario:

1.  Residents of Canada who are under 18 years of age or 65 years of age or older, and are in possession of their Birth Certificate.

2.  Disabled Canadian residents, if they are eligible for and in possession of EITHER: 

3.  Canadian residents who are in possession of their Birth Certificate and who require the direct assistance of, and are accompanied by, another person to fish and to follow applicable fishing laws due to a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability, a learning disability or dysfunction, or a mental disorder.

Those who qualify to fish without purchasing a fishing licence, as indicated above, may fish with the same catch and possession limits as holders of a Canadian resident sport fishing licence tag. Additionally, they have the same responsibilities as those who have purchased an Outdoors Card and fishing licence tag and must abide by all regulations.