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.

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.

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

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.

"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 ?

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

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


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.

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 ...

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!   

"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

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

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. 

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.

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

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.