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Legal Fishing

Please read all of this page if you are a new beginner or thinking of starting to fish or even if you are currently a fisherman but may not be aware of the legal side of fishing..

Fishing without a Rod Licence can result in prosecution and fines of up to £2500
 

FISHING?

Anyone aged 12 years or over who fishes for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England or Wales must have a valid Environment Agency Rod Fishing Licence.

Rod Licences are available from every Post Office in England & Wales. Failure to produce a valid licence could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £2500.

A Rod Licence does not give you permission to fish, therefore you also need the permission from the owner of the water before you start fishing.

A rod licence does not give you the right to take fish from any water. This will depend on local byelaws and you must have permission from the owner of the water where you are fishing.

Anybody caught taking fish without permission is liable to be prosecuted under the Theft Act.

Fishing Close Seasons (months when fishing is NOT permitted)

• Fishing close seasons exist on all rivers and streams in the UK. The times of these close seasons vary locally and you are advised to contact your local Environment Agency office for more details. For canals and still waters – this includes all lakes and ponds - you must contact the owner to check if there is a close season on their waters.

Please call the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 for more details if you are unsure of the close seasons on any water.

Summary:
Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England (except the River Tweed), Wales or the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland must have an Environment Agency rod licence.

Rod licences are available from Post Office outlets throughout England and Wales, online, by direct debit and over the telephone on 0844 800 5386. The phone line is open from 8.30am to 8.00pm daily from March to September and 8.30am to 6.00pm from October to February