Fast Facts about Ontario Outdoors Cards and Fishing Licences

A licence to fish in Ontario consists of an Outdoors Card plus a fishing licence tag (either affixed to the card or accompanying the card).  Here is a quick overview of the basics for Ontario residents, Canadian residents, and non-Canadian residents.

Note: An Outdoors Card is not required for a one-day fishing licence.

 

 

Ontario Residents

Ontario residents need an Outdoors Card to fish in Ontario if they are at least 18 years old but have not reached their 65th birthday.  The sportfishing licence tag or the conservation fishing licence tag (3 year or 1 year) is affixed to, or accompanied by, the plastic Outdoors Card.

If you have never had an Outdoors Card, you can request an application form be mailed to you by phoning the Outdoors Card Centre from anywhere in Canada at 1-800-387-7011.

Your Outdoors Card is good for three calendar years.

If you are an Ontario resident between 18 and 65 years of age and you want to fish in Ontario right away, you can buy a "Resident Temporary Fishing Licence and Outdoors Card and Application" from one of more than 1,800 licence issuers across the province.  This temporary paper licence is effective immediately and valid until December 31 of the year in which it was purchased.

The fee for a temporary paper licence includes the cost of a three-year plastic Outdoors Card. 

If your Outdoors Card will soon expire, or has already expired, the fastest and easiest way to renew your Outdoors Card is a three year renewal by credit card with a call to 1-800-288-1155 or online at the Outdoors Card website.

Ontario resident hunters can also fish under the authority of their Outdoors Card (hunting version) with the appropriate fishing licence tag.

You can also get more information on the Outdoors Card by calling the Outdoors Card Centre at 1-800-387-7011.  This toll-free number works from all regions of Canada, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Canadian (other than Ontario) Residents

Canadian residents need an Outdoors Card to fish in Ontario if they are at least 18 years old but have not reached their 65th birthday.  The sportfishing licence tag or the conservation fishing licence tag accompanies the plastic Outdoors Card.

 

If you have never had an Outdoors Card, you can purchase a "Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application" from one of more than 1,800 licence issuers across the province.  The Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application does not include the fishing licence tag.  The fishing licence tag will be a separate paper permit.

 

The temporary Outdoors Card and paper licence tag are effective immediately.  Your plastic Outdoors Card will be mailed to you by year end, and is valid for three calendar years (including the year of purchase).

 

Canadian resident hunters can also fish under the authority of their Outdoor Card (hunting version) with the appropriate fishing licence tag.

 

You can also get more information on the Outdoors Card by calling the Outdoors Card Centre at 1-800-387-7011.  This toll-free number works from all regions of Canada, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Non-Canadian Residents

Non-Canadian residents need an Outdoors Card to fish in Ontario if they are 18 years of age and over.  (NOTE: Non-residents 65 years of age or older are not exempt from requiring a licence).  The sportfishing licence tag (1 one year or 8 day) or the conservation fishing licence tag (1 year or 8 day) accompanies the plastic Outdoors Card. 

If you have never had an Outdoors Card, you can purchase a "Non-Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application" from one of more than 1,800 licence issuers across the province.  The Non-Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application does not include the fishing licence tag.  The fishing licence tag will be a separate paper permit.

The temporary Outdoors Card and paper licence are effective immediately.  Your plastic Outdoors Card will be mailed to you by year end, and is valid for three calendar years (including the year of purchase).

Non-Canadian resident hunters can also fish under the authority of their Outdoor Card (hunting version) with the appropriate fishing licence tag.

You can also get more information on the Outdoors Card by calling the Outdoors Card Centre at 1-800-387-7011.  This toll-free number works from all of North America, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).