Angling Resources and Information Centre
Angling for trout and Atlantic salmon is a time honoured tradition on PEI. The Angling Resource and Information Centre offers information on licensing, seasons, limits, locations and fish species. More detailed information can be found in the 2025 Angling Summary (5MB).
When does angling season open and close?
Angling season for all freshwater fish species opens on April 15th of each year (in most locations). Open and closing dates may vary depending on location and species. Please refer to the Angling Summary for details.
Do I need a licence to fish on PEI?
- Angling Licences are required by everyone 16 years of age and older;
- Children under 16 years of age do not require an angling licence;
- 2025 Angling Licence (includes both Residents and Non-Residents) are available for $10/year plus HST;
- Courtesy Angling Licences are issued free-of-charge to those 16 to 18 and 60 years of age and older;
- Family Five-Day Fishing Licences are available for $5 plus HST;. This licence allows you, your spouse and dependants to fish for a period of five consecutive days and is available after May 1st each year; and
- Courtesy Angling Licences are issued to active Canadian Forces members and Canadian Forces veterans.
Are there any other fees?
Yes. Angling licences include the Wildlife Conservation Fund (link is external) (WCF) fee.
- Anglers from ages 16 to 64 must pay the Wildlife Conservation Fund fee of $20/yr plus HST;.
- For Seniors 65 years of age and over, the Wildlife Conservation Fund is $13/yr plus HST;
- For the Family Five-day Fishing Licence, the Wildlife Conservation Fund fee is $5 plus HST;
- Youth under the age of 16 are exempt from the WCF fee
- Active Canadian Forces members and Canadian Forces veterans are exempt from the WCF fee.
Where can I buy a fishing licence?
or from Angling Licence Vendors (<1MB) in communities across PEI.
* Note: The E-licence site is not available until April 2, 2025
Species:
- Brook Trout (link is external)
- Rainbow Trout (link is external)
- Atlantic Salmon (link is external)
- Smelts (link is external) are a popular food fish for many Islanders. Please note that no licence is required to fish smelts. More information on smelt fishing can be found in the 2025 Angling Summary (5MB).
- The smelt dip net fishery runs from April 1 to June 15th. You can also angle for smelt in inland water from April 15-September 15.
- The catch limit is 60 smelts/person/day.
- Take only what you need
- Avoid entering the stream and trampling the eggs
- if possible, select male smelts over females.
Angling questions concerning salt water species (for example, mackerel (link is external) and striped bass (link is external)) should be directed to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (link is external) (1-506-851-6227). You can also visit the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Recreational Fisheries (link is external) website to learn more about local salt water species.
Where can I access fishing spots?
Most of Prince Edward Island is privately owned so you should ask for permission from the land owner before you cross private lands. Public lands provide public access to angling spots unless the property is otherwise posted.
The PEI Fishing Locations Map (4M) illustrates freshwater fishing locations with public access. The Popular Saltwater Fishing Locations page can be used to find coastal areas to fish for mackerel, flounder and striped bass.
What's new for the 2025 angling season?
The Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division, in cooperation with the Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association will be conducting a trout tagging project on the Winter River in April 2025. If you are fishing the Corran Ban/Tracadie Bay area and catch a tagged fish, please retain the tag or take a photo of it and call the number on the tag. A prize will be provided to all anglers who catch a tagged fish.
There are also tagged fish remaining in the Morell River/St. Peters Bay area from tagging projects in 2023 and 2024.
Are there any special angling events or activities?
Each year, the May long weekend marks Free Family Fishing weekend on PEI. In 2025, Free Family Fishing weekend runs from May 17 to Monday May 19, inclusive. Angling licences are not required but anglers must abide by all regulations and rules.
The Extended Angling Season starts on September 16, 2025. For more information, visit: