Angling Guide Licence

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Contents:

• Overview
• Costs and Responsibilities
• What you need to apply
• What happens after you apply
• Links
• Tips for a successful application

Overview

This application is for an Angling Guide licence (Fresh Water) that allows you to guide other anglers in British Columbia.

Costs and Responsibilities

Fees

$450.00 Angling Guide Licence 

$50.00 late fee* applies to new applications received after January 15th or renewal applications received after May 31. 

$50.00 amendment fee* applies to any amendments submitted between January 15 and May 31. This includes changes to the Angling Guide Operating Plans. There is not a fee for the renewal year on the Angling Guide Operating Plan provided it is received by May 31. 

A client cannot be charged for both amendment and late fee at the same time.

Fees are payable at the time of application. Applications will not be processed until the fees have been paid. 

Fees can be paid online at the time of application, or at a FrontCounter BC location. See Payment Guidelines for more information.

• Outstanding fees must be paid separately and in full before a new licence will be issued.
• Note: These fees cannot be paid online through Virtual FrontCounter. If you have not already paid, please contact FrontCounter BC to arrange payment.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund surcharge is included in the above fee(s).

*Late fees and amendment fees cannot be processed online. If a late fees and amendment fee applies to your application FrontCounter BC staff will contact you.

What you need to apply

Eligibility

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 Actand Regulations. This is done through the successful completion of the Angling Guide exam.
• A person who is an angling guide must have public liability insurance, in an amount of no less than $2 million, that is:
  1. Applicable to his or her angling guide business, and
  2. In effect during the period for which the angling guide will operate.

• When providing commercial guided activities in a park, conservancy or protected area, a park use permit is required. Further details on eligibility and application requirements for park use permits can be found on the Commercial Recreation Park Use Permit page. 

Are you applying for a new licence?

All new Angling Guide licence applicants must provide the following with their completed application:

• Classified and/or Unclassified AGOP (Angling Guide Operating Plans)
  • If you are submitting a Classified AGOP when applying for an Angling Guide licence for the first time, you must include Classified Angler Day Transfer application package
• Copy of Proof of successful Angling Guide Exam.

Are you renewing your licence?

Applicants renewing their licences must:

• File their angling guide reports from the previous year
• Submit a new AGOP (a new AGOP must be submitted every 5 years)
• Submit Angling Guide Reports online through the angling guide reporting website (see below) before a new licence can be issued. Angling Guide Reports will not be accepted as attachments to applications
• Rewrite the Angling Guide Exam if they have not held an Angling Guide Licence for more than 5 years

Please review your application form carefully and ensure that all required fields have been filled out before you submit your application

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. If you have not held an Angling Guide Licence for more than 5 years, you will be required to rewrite 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 applicants 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
  • online copy
  • hard copy: public library, or BC Courthouse Library
• Angling and Scientific Collection Regulation
  • hard copy: public library, or BC Courthouse Library
  • online copy
• Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis
  • online copy
  • hard copy: Government Agent Office or wherever freshwater angling licences are sold

You may schedule an examination through your local Government Agents Office. Click here to find the Service BC location nearest you

Electronic Angling Guide Reporting

Angling guides must report all guiding activity by March 31, or April 30 where there is guiding activity during March. Reports must be submitted online through the Angling Guide Reporting website.

Angling Guide Annual Reporting Steps

1. Get a Basic BCeID (If you do not already have one)
   • Register Through BCeID Website
2. Follow Guidelines for submitting Angling Guide Annual Reports (PDF) to submit your report

Additional Angling Guide Reporting Information

• Access the Angling Guide Reporting Site
• Reporting Fraser River White Sturgeon Fishing Location Information (PDF)
• Angling Guide Reporting Assistance Contact (email)

What happens after you apply

The target time frame for decision on your permit is 30 days*

Receiving the application

Your application will be reviewed to ensure that it is complete. Your payment and documents will be entered into the appropriate systems. When necessary, you will be contacted for more information. 

An application will not be accepted and processed until all required information as well as payment has been received.

Decision Making

A decision will be made on whether to issue a permit or not after a full review of your submission.

Issuance of Permit

If your application is approved, the permit is issued and sent to you by FrontCounter BC. If your application was not approved, you will be notified. 

NOTE: If you used a BCeID and a licence or permit is issued, you can download it from the Manage your Natural Resource Applications webpage by logging in using your BCeID

*Processing time may be considerably longer if there is a required consultation process

Links

Link
Angling Guide Reporting Site
Angling Guide Operating Plan - Unclassified
Angling Guide Operating Plan - Classified
Angling Guide Operating Plan - Addendum
Angling and Scientific Collection Regulation
Wildlife Act

Tips for a successful application

Follow these tips to make the application process easier:

1. Review this guide and have all the information and documents ready before you start filling out the application.
2. Use a Basic, Personal or Business BCeID for your application. A BCeID is easy to get and allows you to save your application, reopen it, and check the status of your application online. Applications will automatically time-out after a certain period of inactivity if not saved.
3. Contact FrontCounter BC before you begin, to help you with all natural resource applications.