Fishing License for 2020

Probably not going to happen, but I was thinking about the annual fishing license I purchased for my trips to Ontario this year. I guess I was a week or two early, just before the pandemic became a reality. Has anyone heard anything about Ontario honoring the license next year?

Just received my refund for my 1 year fishing licence for Ontario on my credit card. Only took 11 days from my initial call to MNR.

Thanks for all the info. I got through yesterday. Very nice person is sending me a check. 

Had to be an annual non-resident license purchased before outbreak. She wanted to refund to my credit card but it had been replaced so she is sending me a check. Hopefully, I will buy again next May. I will not but too early again!

I called in today it took about 35 minutes to get through to someone to talk to. As far as the fishing and small game license I always buy the three-year seasonal license for each for a non-resident. At this point they aren’t doing any refunds for anyone that missed this year and held a three-year license. However the nonresident bear license I bought in the middle of March they were willing to refund the money for that I just have to mail the license into them and they will credit my credit card.

Canada Bound

Did you have any luck calling in ?

wini

You have to call.

Must I call and ask for refund or will it be automatic? I purchased a nonresident license for the entire year.

That’s good to know. Thanks for inquiring. I purchased the season fishing license, a small game license, and a bear license so I’ll try for all three.

I spoke to MNR yesterday and they told me they are refunding licences for US residents that bought the fishing licence online before the border closure. They said they would refund my credit card in 4 to 6 weeks. the phone numbers are 1 800 387-7011 or 1 800 667-1940. I suggest to call early since they are swamped with calls. If line is busy keep calling and you will get through. Follow the prompts and you may have to wait on hold. Shad looks like you were wrong regarding refunds. Thanks to NOTO for pushing them to do the refunds.

I doubt anything will be refunded. I was even stupid enough to buy my bear hunting license in the middle of March when I was up ice fishing. I wanted the license so I could get my bear bait out early ??‍??

Shad

Maybe you should consider joining NOTO since they lobby the MNR for all the American and Canadian lodge owners and outfitters. They are pushing MNR for a credit or refund on licenses. NOTO was also very instrumental in getting the spring bear hunt reinstated.

We do not belong to NOTO.  Ask your outfitter how he is going to meet face to face to get his paperwork and pay for services as the MNR is still working from home, at least out of Hearst they are.

Shad

I had a Canadian lodge owner tell me that. Are you a member of NOTO ?

Absolutely no way they will do that.  I, as an outfitter must pay all of my fees for my hunts by the end of the year, or it will revert back to the crown.  Plus the MNR workers ares still at home, no way to meet them to pay fees.  Since we are US resident outfitters, our customers are gone due to Covid, so we are here with no end in sight.  

So good luck with your license refund, I just hope some way we can get our outfitting fees paid, but then again government finds ways to get the hard workers of the world!

I heard that they were considering a refund.