The following criteria must be met in order to proceed with an application for an Angling Guide Licence:
Must be nineteen (19) years of age or older.
Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada (i.e. a landed immigrant).
Must satisfy the Regional Fish and Wildlife Manager, within the region you intend to operate, that you have a working knowledge of the Wildlife Act and Regulations. This is done through the successful completion of the Angling Guide exam.
Must carry public liability insurance, in an amount of not less than $500,000.
To be licenced as an assistant guide (angling) in British Columbia, the following criteria must be met (an exam is not required):
Must be nineteen (19) years of age or older.
Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada (i.e. a landed immigrant).
Must have an angling guide willing to employ you to guide anglers in his or her area and under his or her jurisdiction.
Angling Guide Exam
The Angling Guide examination is a screening tool. A mark of eighty percent (80%) is required to pass the exam. However, under Section 50 of the Wildlife Act, the Regional Manager must be satisfied that the applicant has a working knowledge of the Wildlife Act and Regulations. This may
require further consultation in addition to the exam.
There is no fee associated with the exam. The exam is one hour in length and is made up of thirty-seven (37) multiple choice questions.
Questions in the exam are intended to test the applicant’s knowledge of the angling portions of the Wildlife Act, the Angling and Scientific Collection Regulation and the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis. This information can be accessed electronically online or in hard
copy, per the following:
Wildlife Act - study definitions and sections related to angling - sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54
hard copy: Government Agent Office or wherever freshwater angling licences are sold
You may schedule an examination through your local Government Agent’s Office. Click here to find the Government Agent location nearest you.
Steps to Obtaining a NEW Angling Guide Licence
Review the basic eligibility criteria, to ensure you can meet the requirements.
Write the Angling Guide Exam. If you do not meet the eighty percent (80%) requirement to pass the exam, the exam can be re-written a second and a third time, if necessary.
When you pass the exam, you may submit your application for licence package. The following is required in order to proceed with the licencing process:
A completed Angling Guide Operating Plan (AGOP). An AGOP outlines your angling guiding business including the waters on which you propose to guide. Please note that a separate operating plan must be completed for classified and unclassified waters (as applicable). Copies may be
downloaded here:
New angling guides are required to submit their application and AGOP(s) by January 15th of the calendar year in which they intend to guide. Late applications will be accepted, however, an administrative fee of $50 will be charged in addition to the regular licence fee.
A completed Angling Guide Operating Plan (AGOP). An AGOP outlines your angling guiding business including the waters on which you propose to guide. Please note that a separate operating plan must be completed for classified and unclassified waters (as applicable). Copies may be
downloaded here:
Please note Angling Guide Operating Plans (AGOP’s) are only required to be completed every five years (from the last date the AGOP was signed off by regional manager), unless you make changes from the previous year, then you must submit a new AGOP
A cheque for $450, made payable to the B.C. Minister of Finance, see note below for applications received after January 15th and May 31st.
Completed applications, accompanied by fees and supporting documents can be submitted to the Permit and Authorization Service Bureau via:
Returning angling guides without changes to their AGOP(s) are required to submit their applications by May 31st of the calendar year in which they intend to guide. Returning angling guides with changes to their AGOP(s) are required to submit their applications and revised AGOP(s) by
January 15th. Late applications will be accepted; however, an administrative fee of $50 will be charged in addition to the regular licence fee.
Where can I obtain a copy of the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis?
An online version of the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis is available here.
A printed version may be obtained at a Government Agent's Office or wherever freshwater angling licences are sold.
Where can I find a list of licenced angling guides for the province and how can I get on the list?
Do I require anything different to operate in a provincial park?
Yes, you require a Park Use Permit (P.U.P.) to operate your business. Please contact the Parks department for more information: 1-866-432-7272 – press 3 when you reach the telephone tree.
