FYI for anyone with similar plans-

I just spoke to Quetico Park office about obtaining my permits in Atikokan on the Saturday before my June 3 Sunday entry. They advised me to purchase my sport card and an e-license online because the Atikokan office for some reason cannot process them (sport card I assume).

ontario.ca/outdoorscard

btw-
Atikokan Ranger Station Saturday office hours:
8:30 - noon & 1:00 - 4:15

That's good to know.  I'd assume though, that any sporting goods store in Ft Francis, or likely any outfitter could issue the card ?  be kind of stupid on thier part to turn away anyone who didn't know about the card ahead of time.

I WAS planning on buying my card and license at the Atikokan office, so thanks for the heads up - I'll have to stop in Ft Francis I guess - don't have any credit cards so I can't get the card online - all in all, its a pretty stupid system I think.

That is interesting.

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1-800-387-7011

Unless things have changed, you can still get a fishing license at Q park office or at many other places.

You get a piece of paper, which is all you really need. A plastic card (like a credit card) comes in the mail maybe a month later, but you don't need that to legally fish, the paper is good enough.

When you pay, you pay separately for the card and the license, and no, you can't get the license without paying for the card. The card is good for 3 years, so next year, you only have to pay for the license, and the paperwork is faster too (since the card is linked to your name, address, etc on file.

Hope this helps. :)

Online is a really easy option, that is what my group did and we are leaving in a week. getting excited!

I'd invest in a three year, eight day conservation license if the dates were flexible. That's a lot to ask for though.

LOL.

Unfortunately it's only the card that's good for 3 years - the license is an annual thing.

Actually, according to the letter I received saying my card expired, they are offering a three yr deal on both sport and conservation licenses. I'd renew and get an 8 day now but I have a hard enough time deciding which 8 days to choose when I'm standing at the counter getting my permit.

OK, the three year conservation licence is new, I think. Here are the current options, straight from the Ontario Government's mouth:

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So if you're planning four or fewer Ontario fishing trips over the next three years, it's cheaper to buy the 8-day licences as you need them in the one-trip years, and a one-year licence in the years in which you will be taking two or more trips. If you will be taking five or more trips over the next three years, it's cheaper to buy the three-year licence.

Unless prices go up. Who knew fishing was so much work?

"because the Atikokan office for some reason cannot process them (sport card I assume)."

I wonder if that reason is they don't want to bother? i.e.it takes too much time and backs up the line for permits ?

I looked at the Outdoors Card website to find locations for renewing the card and buying a lic in Ontario -

two groups of options - one is the places that always sell licenses, like bait shops (Voyageur Bait and Tackle on Hgy 11B, on the way in to town was one listed, others were outfitters, etc)

the second group was official MNR "Service Centers" - and one of those was specifically -  108 Saturn Ave, Atikokan - yeah, that same office that you go to to pick up your permit

I think I'll give tham a call before I head up there and see what the story is - maybe thier machine wasn't working, or maybe the volunteers who often staff the place aren't authorized to sell the cards ? or just what the story is - I bought my original Outrdoors card there, in 2009 I think it was - and it is listed as a Service Center where you can renew or buy an original card and license - so must be some technical problem ?

M_M, probably the first desk after you get in the door. Park office is farther back through the a second hallway/door.

I remember Moose hunters lining up to get licenses at the first desk in Oct. We walked farther back and there was no action at the park desk. Unattended actually, they were helping out at the front desk, or way in the back somewhere.

Sorry, I am confused.  We have our cards from last year.  Do we only need to get our licenses when we come up?

The cards are good for three years and I received a letter when mine expired. I looked at my card to see if there was an expiration date on it. There is, but unfortunately all it says is Dec. 31.

Now I'm wondering if they issue a new cards or just swipe 'em to renew the same piece of plastic.

moosebear wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 2:30pm:

Sorry, I am confused.  We have our cards from last year.  Do we only need to get our licenses when we come up?

Yes, the card and the licence are separate. But bring your card - it's still good for another 2 years, and if you don't, the licence vendor might force you to buy another card in addition to buying your 2012 licence. When you buy your 2012 licence, they will just put a sticker on your existing card.

I know you guys don't want to waste time running around trying to find a place to buy a fishing licence, but I'd be surprised if you will have much problem, even if you don't buy the thing online in advance.

Although it appears that the Atikokan MNR office no longer sells fishing licences (bizarre), you still can get one at the Dawson Trail, Prairie Portage and Cache Bay stations.

As of last year, there are lots of other places in Ontario that also sell fishing licences, not just government offices: some gas stations, sporting goods shops, outfitters, etc. For example Walt's Dry Goods on Main St in Atikokan sells them, Indiaonta sells them, Canadian Quetico Outfitters and (I think) Canoe Canada both sell them. Unless of course the Ontario government has shut down all of these outlets and they haven't updated their websites yet.

Depending on the option selected when you got your card you may or may not need a sticker.

Look on the front of the card.  Middle right it will tell you when the *card* expires.  This is not the licence.  This is only the card.

Look on the back of the card.  There will likely be a sticker spot that's actually part of the printed card + room for additional stickers.

If the front of the card does *not* have a future date for the expiry then you need a new card.

If the back of the card does *not* have something stating it expires Dec 31, 2012 or later then you do need a new sticker.

It's very silly.  The card should be good for life.  Then you can just stack stickers on it as needed.  Ironic that the Ministry of Natural Resources has this process in place that really only serves to make more plastic.

Maybe they have different kinds of cards. I was sure my card had a sticker, but now when I checked, it doesn't. Last year's renewal was just a piece of paper that I had to keep with the card. It even says on the back of the card "Do not affix licence tags to this card"

But my card does have an expiry date ... on the front. Printed on the card in tiny white letters on the right hand side, starting at the gill on the fish drawing, it says "Expires Dec 31 / Expire le 31 dec". Under that, embossed in gold letters is a big "12", meaning my card expires at the end of 2012.

So check all of the small print, and consult your lawyer if necessary. Who knows what they would do if they caught you with an expired card, or one with stickers on the back that shouldn't be there ...

Or, make a statement and give your greenbacks to a different province than Ontario

Okay now I'm confused.  :)

I have an expired 3yr old card with no stickers on it and no obvious place set aside to put any. Corner right of the back has what I assume is the manufacture date 04/09. The back does specifically state "Do not affix license tags to this card" --- Mine is not valid for hunting if that matters.

FWIW  --  The last two digits of my ID# (separated by a space) is 11 and that's right under where is says expiration date which makes sense if it's not just coincidence.

Fishen's hard!    ;D

"Yes, the card and the licence are separate. But bring your card - it's still good for another 2 years, and if you don't, the licence vendor might force you to buy another card in addition to buying your 2012 licence."

they can't sell you a fishing lic unless you have a card

when reading up on the Outdoors Card website, they speicifcally said that is wasn't legal to have two cards - so if you show up without your still valid (i.e. its not expired) card, they would more liklely make you get a "replacement"  for a lost card - which has an additional fee I think, and wouldn't extend the expiration at all.

like I said, stupid system

"M_M, probably the first desk after you get in the door. Park office is farther back through the a second hallway/door.

I remember Moose hunters lining up to get licenses at the first desk in Oct. We walked farther back and there was no action at the park desk. Unattended actually, they were helping out at the front desk, or way in the back somewhere."

Jim,

that may be the issue?  maybe being a different department, they may not staff that desk on weekend days in the summer ?    I've always bought my license along with teh quetico permit from the same person - maybe they don't want to do that anymore ?

who knows ?  I'll call them before I head up that way see what's what

db wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 5:43pm:

Okay now I'm confused.  :) I have an expired 3yr old card with no stickers on it and no obvious place set aside to put any. Corner right of the back has what I assume is the manufacture date 04/09. The back does specifically state "Do not affix license tags to this card" --- Mine is not valid for hunting if that matters. FWIW  --  The last two digits of my ID# (separated by a space) is 11 and that's right under where is says expiration date which makes sense if it's not just coincidence. Fishen's hard!    ;D

Yes, you have to get a new piece of plastic. And yes, the plastic is different for fishing + hunting vs just fishing. Probably the reason they don't allow stickers is to prevent people from putting a hunting sticker on a fishing card by mistake, and voiding the card.

The "11" on your card is not part of the identification number. So I think my card was the 708,158,127,412,980th card to be issued, not the 70,815,812,741,298,012th - that would be ridiculous.

I also think you Americans just come up here for the express purpose of causing trouble  ;D

Joe_Schmeaux wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 7:27pm:

I also think you Americans just come up here for the express purpose of causing trouble  ;D

Who US? Naah.

So that 11 on mine is coincidence? Honestly no clue. Seemed reasonable to me.

Hey, how can we skirt your whacky rules until we fully understand 'em.  ;D

In a way it's too bad on the new card thing. If it's required and swipeable I don't understand the need. I thought that sort of automatic record keeping was part of the point to begin with.

Joe_Schmeaux wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 5:25pm:

But my card does have an expiry date ... on the front. Printed on the card in tiny white letters on the right hand side, starting at the gill on the fish drawing, it says "Expires Dec 31 / Expire le 31 dec". Under that, embossed in gold letters is a big "12", meaning my card expires at the end of 2012.

DOH!  :-[  :thumbup

db wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 8:36pm:

Hey, how can we skirt your whacky rules until we fully understand 'em.  ;D

Understanding Canadian rules is simple.
1. If it's fun, tax it.
2. If it's sinful, tax it.
3. If it's fun AND sinful, tax it twice.

Fishing comes under category #3, so you need an outdoors card AND a fishing licence, and whenever the government asks you for more money, you have to give it to them.

I made the online purchase this morning. Fairly painless!