What is an Ontario resident Outdoors Card and who needs to purchase one?

What is an Ontario resident Outdoors Card?

An Ontario resident Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized, identification card, issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to accompany your Ontario fishing licence tag. It acts as a durable carrier for your licence tag for three calendar years.

Is an Outdoors Card a fishing licence?

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

An Outdoors Card alone is NOT a fishing licence.

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

Most Ontario 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?

The following people do not need to purchase an Ontario resident 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.

Do Aboriginal people need an Ontario resident Outdoors Card?

Members of Ontario Aboriginal communities having established aboriginal and treaty rights do not require an Outdoors Card or Ontario fishing licence tag to take fish for personal use within their traditional or treaty territory.

Personal use is defined as for food, social or ceremonial purposes.

Individuals should be prepared to provide identification showing their community membership.

Members of Aboriginal communities fishing outside of their traditional or treaty areas must have a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence tag.