- You need a Sport Fishing licence to fish in the NWT unless you are under 16 years of age or over 65 years of age.
- Special Management Areas and National Parks may require additional licenses or validation – for all ages.
- See the table below for licence classification, eligibility, and costs.
- All annual sport fishing licences expire on March 31.
Remember to always:
- Carry your fishing licence with you at all times when fishing.
- Use barbless hooks: they are mandatory for sport fishing in the NWT.
- Stay within daily catch and possession limits.
- Stay safe: practice safe boating, make sure all campfires are completely out before leaving and be Bear Aware.
Buying a fishing licence
Fishing licences are available online through the secure NWT eServices online portal or in person at select locations.
Fishing licence types and fees
| Class | Type | fee | gst | total fee | valid for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | NWT Resident | $12.31 | $0.62 | $12.93 | Season (Valid until March 31st each year) |
| F2 | Resident Canadian | $24.63 | $1.23 | $25.86 | Season (Valid until March 31st each year) |
| F3 |
Non-resident |
$49.27 | $2.46 | $51.73 |
Season (Valid until March 31st each year) |
| F4 | Over 65 | Free | -- | -- |
Season (Valid until March 31st each year) |
| F5 | Under 16 | Free | -- | -- |
Season (Valid until March 31st each year) |
|
F6 |
3 day Resident Canadian |
$18.47 | $0.92 | $19.39 | 3 days |
| F7 | 3 day Non-resident |
$36.95 | $1.85 | $38.80 | 3 days |
| F9 | 1 day Resident Canadian |
$12.31 | $0.62 | $12.93 | 1 day |
| F10 | 1 day Non-resident |
$12.31 | $0.62 | $12.93 | 1 day |
Special Management Areas
Visit Closed waters and special permit areas for more information on each area.
| Class | type | eligibility | fee | gst | total fee | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F8 | Beneficiary | Not available online as you must provide extra documentation to the regional office before it can be issued | Free | -- | -- | -- |
| I1 | Inuvialuit Settlement Region Special Management Area | Required for any person to fish in this area. You will need your standard licence AND an I1 authorization (regardless of age or residency). |
Free | -- | -- | The period of your licence |
| M1 | Great Bear Lake Special Management Area | Required for any person to fish this area. You will need your standard licence AND an M1 authorization (regardless of age or residency). |
$12.31 | $0.62 | $12.93 | The period of your licence |
| -- | Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area | An NWT Sport Fishing Licence AND a separate National Wildlife Area Permit are required for sport fishing inside the boundary of this wildlife area. Request a permit by emailing: CWSPermitNorth@ec.gc.ca |
-- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | National Parks, National Park Reserves, or National Historic Sites | An NWT Sport Fishing Licence is not valid in national areas. A separate Parks Canada sport fishing licence is required for each area. |
-- | -- | -- | -- |
Residency and Age Descriptions
| NWT Resident | NWT resident with a valid NWT address (for at least 3 months prior to licence date). |
| Resident Canadian | Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a valid Canadian address. |
| Non-resident | Not a Canadian resident and does not have a valid NWT or Canadian address (non-resident 16 years of age or younger must be accompanied by a person holding a valid Sport Fishing Licence). |
| Under 16 | Must have a valid NWT or Canadian address AND be 16 years of age or younger. |
| Over 65 | Must have a valid NWT or Canadian address AND be 65 years of age or older. |