What’s New
Starting April 1, 2023, Alberta resident Canadian Armed Forces Veterans are eligible for a free sportfishing licence.
To obtain the free CAF Veteran Sportfishing Licence, resident Canadian Armed Forces Veterans
need to update and confirm their WiN profile status by providing approved identification (VSC, CAF 74, NDI 75, CFOne “V”) on the AlbertaRELM website or at a licence issuer.
Resident Veterans must carry the CAF Veteran Sportfishing Licence and approved Veteran identification when sportfishing.
See Licences section below or visit AlbertaRELM website or App for more information.
Automated Fishing Licencing System
Recreational fishing licences in Alberta are sold either online through AlbertaRELM, or through Private Licence Issuers (e.g, sporting goods stores, convenience stores and gas stations) in communities throughout the province.
Licence Issuers provide the following services:
- Confirm licence eligibility online
- Print all licences and tags at the point of sale
This automated system integrates all recreational licensing services, providing improved service to anglers, hunters and licence vendors, while also providing Alberta Environment and Parks with important, up-to-date information about the
anglers and hunters in the province.
Sportfishing Licences
All persons sportfishing in Alberta are required to hold an Alberta Sportfishing Licence, except:
- Youths under 16 years of age
- Alberta residents aged 65 and older
- First Nations' Persons (defined as an Indian under the federal Indian Act)
Licence for Residents and Canadian Non-Residents and Non Residents from outside of Canada:
Licence fees are based on where an angler lives. Anglers are classified as either Residents, Resident Veterans, Canadian Non-residents, or Non-resident Aliens.
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Resident: |
A Resident is an individual who makes their home in Alberta and is ordinarily present in Alberta,
- is a Canadian citizen or is a permanent resident as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), or
- has lived in Canada for the 12 month period immediately preceding the relevant date, or
- is on full time service with the Armed Forces of Canada and would, if an election were held under
the Canada Elections Act (Canada), be eligible to vote in Alberta under that Act.
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Resident Veteran:
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A resident Canadian Armed Forces Veteran is an Alberta resident who is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces,
has successfully undergone basic training and has been honourably discharged.
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Canadian Non-resident:
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An individual who is a resident of Canada and who makes that individual’s home and is ordinarily present in a province or territory of Canada other than Alberta, and
- is a Canadian citizen or is a permanent resident as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), or
- has resided in Canada for the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the person’s application for a licence or the date the person begins to fish
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Non-resident Alien:
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A Non-resident Alien is a person who is neither a Alberta resident nor a non-resident (Canadian). |
Fees for Sportfishing Licences in Alberta
The following table lists the sportfishing licences in Alberta. Fees are in Canadian dollars and do not include the five percent federal Goods and Services Tax.
Before purchasing any licence, a person must hold a valid Wildlife Identification Number (WiN). You can apply for your WiN number at the same time you purchase your licence.
| Licence Holder |
Sportfishing Licence Cost |
Special Harvest Licence
Walleye (Class A)*
Walleye (Class B)*
Walleye (Class C)
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Veterans Licence |
| Alberta Resident |
| 16-64 years of age |
$28.00 |
$11.00 |
No charge |
| Age 65 or older |
No licence required |
$11.00 |
No charge |
| Youth (less than 16 years) |
No licence required |
$11.00 |
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| *Available only through a draw. For more information:
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| Canadian Resident from outside Alberta
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| Age 16 or older: |
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| Annual |
$60.00 |
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| Limited (7-day) |
$41.00 |
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| Limited (1-day) |
$25.00 |
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| Youth (less than 16 years) |
No licence required |
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| Non-Resident from outside Canada
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| Age 16 and older |
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| Annual |
$85.00 |
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| Limited (7-day) |
$55.00 |
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| Limited (1-day) |
$26.63 |
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| Youth (less than 16 years) |
No licence required |
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| First Nations' Peoples
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No sportfishing licence required** |
No sportfishing licence required** |
**. For more information on Indigenous fishing, visit:
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| Lost/destroyed licences
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| All purchased licences can be reprinted either at a licence issuer for a $2.00 fee or online at no charge. |
| Lost/destroyed tags
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| You are required to bring your licence and complete a statutory declaration to authorize the replacement at a Fish and Wildlife District Office. See the fishing regulations for District Office contact information. |
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For each $1 of revenue collected:
- $0.61 is distributed to the Alberta Conservation Association. For more information on how funds are used to support Fisheries programs, please visit www.ab-conservation.com
- $0.34 is used for licensing allocation and administration providing
compensation to the Service Provider and the network of private Licence Issuers as well as provides funds for programs to monitor fish populations.
- $0.05 goes to Government of Alberta General Revenue.
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Competitive Licencing Events
If you are organizing a competitive fishing event (e.g., a derby or tournament) with more than 25 participants, you will
need an event licence.
Purchasing a Licence
Recreational fishing licences are available for purchase at Licence Issuers or online at:
To buy a special walleye licence that requires a tag(s), successful applicants, must choose to use either paper tags and wires or electronic tags (e-tags).
To use paper tags and wires, you must have pre-numbered Government of Alberta paper tags before you begin your purchase.
If you chose to use electronic tags, you will use the AlbertaRELM App to e-tag the walleye you retain.
You have 3 options to order tags:
- Contact Us page on AlbertaRelm.com
- Contacting the AlbertaRelm Help Desk at 1-888-944-5494
- In person at an Alberta Fish and Wildlife District office or a Licence Issuer
Updated: Mar 12, 2024