VICTORIA – Anglers who want to fish in British Columbia’s lakes, rivers and streams during the next nine days won’t have to worry about buying a new fishing licence, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today.

Penner signed an order earlier today exempting sports fishers from having a fishing licence between April 8 and April 17. This will allow enough time for the Ministry of Environment to deliver paper licence stock to vendors throughout the province and fix some bugs currently affecting the new e-licensing system.

The temporary exemption applies to basic licences, classified waters licences, white sturgeon licences and conservation surcharge stamps for all non-tidal waters in British Columbia. The exemption applies to all anglers, regardless of residence status, with the exception of individuals whose angling licences have been suspended or cancelled, or are prohibited from fishing under the Wildlife Act.

All existing freshwater fishing regulations, including quotas and gear restrictions will continue to be in force during the licence exemption period.

The province eliminated paper licences and implemented a fully Internet-based e-licensing system on April 1 after several months of successful trials in which both paper and e-licences were available. The heavy volume of anglers attempting to purchase 2009-2010 licences last week caused the system to malfunction and repairs are underway.

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