Fish & seafood

Can I sell sport-caught fish in BC?

Federal rules allow selling fish only if it was caught under a commercial fishing licence (or a licence that authorises sale). Fish you caught on a sport licence can never be sold — processors must label it “sport-caught fish – not for sale”.

However it was produced

At a farmers’ market
A market with a market manager — farmers’ markets, Christmas markets, craft fairs
No
No — fish caught on a sport licence can never be sold, traded or bartered. Federal fishery rules allow buying and selling fish only if it was caught under a commercial licence (or another licence that expressly allows sale); even a processor that smokes or cans your catch must label it “sport-caught fish – not for sale” and return it only to you. To sell fish, you need a commercial fishing licence.
At a festival or event
Fairs, festivals, sports events, fundraisers — anything that is not a market
No
No — fish caught on a sport licence can never be sold, traded or bartered. Federal fishery rules allow buying and selling fish only if it was caught under a commercial licence (or another licence that expressly allows sale); even a processor that smokes or cans your catch must label it “sport-caught fish – not for sale” and return it only to you. To sell fish, you need a commercial fishing licence.
From your door, shop or farm gate
Customers buy where you make, grow or sell it
No
No — fish caught on a sport licence can never be sold, traded or bartered. Federal fishery rules allow buying and selling fish only if it was caught under a commercial licence (or another licence that expressly allows sale); even a processor that smokes or cans your catch must label it “sport-caught fish – not for sale” and return it only to you. To sell fish, you need a commercial fishing licence.
Online, with pickup or delivery
Orders taken online, by message or by phone
No
No — fish caught on a sport licence can never be sold, traded or bartered. Federal fishery rules allow buying and selling fish only if it was caught under a commercial licence (or another licence that expressly allows sale); even a processor that smokes or cans your catch must label it “sport-caught fish – not for sale” and return it only to you. To sell fish, you need a commercial fishing licence.
To shops, cafés & restaurants
Wholesale, or on consignment in someone else’s store
No
No — fish caught on a sport licence can never be sold, traded or bartered. Federal fishery rules allow buying and selling fish only if it was caught under a commercial licence (or another licence that expressly allows sale); even a processor that smokes or cans your catch must label it “sport-caught fish – not for sale” and return it only to you. To sell fish, you need a commercial fishing licence.
To customers outside BC
Shipping or selling across a provincial border
No
No — fish caught on a sport licence can never be sold, traded or bartered. Federal fishery rules allow buying and selling fish only if it was caught under a commercial licence (or another licence that expressly allows sale); even a processor that smokes or cans your catch must label it “sport-caught fish – not for sale” and return it only to you. To sell fish, you need a commercial fishing licence.

The rules behind these answers

Sources

Fishery (General) Regulations, SOR/93-53(s. 35(2))Government of Canada (Justice Laws) · Current to 2026-09-03
Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulation, B.C. Reg. 261/2016(s. 54(2)(d))Province of British Columbia (BC Laws) · Current to September 22, 2026 (last amended March 30, 2022)

How it’s classified

In force — 2020 guideline

Its own rules

Sources

Guideline for the Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Markets(p. 12 · Appendix III, note 2)BC Centre for Disease Control · August 2020 revision
Fishery (General) Regulations, SOR/93-53(s. 35(2))Government of Canada (Justice Laws) · Current to 2026-09-03

Proposed — 2026 draft

Its own rules

Sources

Fishery (General) Regulations, SOR/93-53(s. 35(2))Government of Canada (Justice Laws) · Current to 2026-09-03

More in fish & seafood, or every food, A to Z.

Businesses that sell it

Butchers, delis & fishmongersCutting and selling meat, fish or deli foods.Fishers & seafood sellersCommercial fishers selling their catch. (Shellfish farms follow separate aquaculture rules this page doesn’t cover.)