Outdoors Card Information for Residents of Ontario and Canada

What is an Outdoors Card?

An Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized, identification card to which your Ontario fishing licence tag is affixed. It acts as a durable carrier for your licence tag for three calendar years.

Is an Outdoors Card a fishing licence?

No. A complete and valid licence to fish consists of an Outdoors Card plus a fishing licence tag or E-licence. If you do not have a current Outdoors Card, a temporary paper licence enables you to fish until you receive your Outdoors Card in the mail

Who needs to purchase an 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 an Outdoors Card and Fishing Licence Tag?

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:  
   - a Canadian National Institute for the Blind National Identity Card 
   OR
   - an Ontario Ministry of Transportation Accessible Parking Permit.
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 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.